DHAKA, Nov 20, 2025 (BSS) - A significant milestone has been achieved in  developing a modern, future-ready workforce skilled in advanced technologies  for Bangladesh's apparel industry, through the joint collaboration of the  Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the  government's Skills for Industry Competitiveness and Innovation Program  (SICIP). Certificates were formally awarded to 1,175 promising trainees who  successfully completed specialized training under this joint initiative at a  ceremony held today at the Nurul Quader Auditorium of the BGMEA Complex.  The trainees, all graduates from various academic institutions, have been  equipped with industry-relevant skills aligned with the technological  transformation underway in the apparel sector. BGMEA President and Chairperson of the SICIP-BGMEA Project Mahmud Hasan Khan  attended the event as the chief guest and handed over certificates to the  participants. In the second session, BGMEA Senior Vice-President Enamul Haque  Khan also distributed certificates among the trainees. The event was presided over by BGMEA Vice-President and member of the SICIP- BGMEA Project Committee Md. Shihab Uddoja Chowdhury while BGMEA Director and  SICIP-BGMEA Project Committee Member Rumana Rashid attended as special guest. BGMEA Director and Project Committee Member Majumdar Arifur Rahman delivered  the keynote speech, said a press release. BGMEA Directors Nafis-ud-Doula and Kazi Mizanur Rahman, along with  chairpersons of various standing committees were also present. The programme was conducted by Munir Chowdhury, chief coordinator of the  SICIP-BGMEA Project. At the beginning of the ceremony, BGMEA President and SICIP-BGMEA Project  Chairperson Mahmud Hasan Khan was presented with a token of appreciation by  three Project Committee members-BGMEA Vice-President Md. Shihab Uddoja  Chowdhury, Director Majumdar Arifur Rahman and Director Rumana Rashid. Speaking as the chief guest, BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan said  production costs in the industry continue to rise due to various global and  domestic factors while product prices are not increasing accordingly. In such  circumstances, skill development is essential to remain competitive in the  global market. He noted that the apparel industry is shifting focus from basic garment  manufacturing to industrial engineering. "Today, design tools such as apparel  design software, 3D designing software, computer-aided manufacturing and  digital printing technology are widely used. I encourage all trainees to  engage deeply in these emerging fields," the BGMEA head added. He described the certified trainees as "the future architects of the  industry," and emphasized that they will play a vital role as change-makers  in advancing digital transformation. In his keynote presentation, BGMEA Director Majumdar Arifur Rahman  highlighted the overall progress of the SICIP-BGMEA initiative.  He said that the Ministry of Finance's Finance Division, SICIP and BGMEA have  been working together since 2024 with the goal of training 10,000 individuals  for the apparel sector.  Currently, 12 courses are being offered across 20 training centers. He noted the following achievements under the programme: Certification  completion rate stands at 81.42 percent; At least 65 percent of trainees are  being supported with employment opportunities; Female participation has  reached 52 percent-significantly higher than the government's target of 30  percent. SICIP (Skills for Industry Competitiveness and Innovation Program) is a  flagship initiative of the government of Bangladesh aimed at enhancing  industrial skills, competitiveness and innovation.  The programme is financed and technically supported by the Asian Development  Bank (ADB) and implemented under the Ministry of Finance's Finance Division.  BGMEA serves as the key partner for delivering sector-specific training for  the ready-made garment industry.