Terms of Reference (ToR) for preparing a paper on
An analysis of TVET and Apprenticeship in Bangladesh: Role of Key Stakeholders
1. Background:
Small and medium enterprises directly contribute to economic growth through output and employment creation, promote backwards and forward linkages, and develop the economic resilience of the people. The development of SMEs is recognised as a key element in the development plans in Bangladesh. Enhanced micro, small and medium enterprise activities in the rural and backward regions constitute a key component of the strategy for rural development and reduction of poverty and regional disparity (GOB 2011). The skilled workforce is a critical factor in developing SMEs created through technical and vocational education and training (TVET).
The journey towards technical and vocational education dates back to the independence of Bangladesh. As a regulatory body, the Directorate of Technical Education was established to develop technical and vocational education in 1960. Over the years, the Directorate of Technical Education initiated rapid development and expansion of degree, diploma and trade level technical education in the country. Later, a statutory body, 'The East Pakistan Technical Education Board’, was established through Act. No. 1 of 1967 by the East Pakistan Assembly became functional in 1969 and is now the Bangladesh Technical Education Board (BTEB). Thus, the Bangladesh Technical Education Board is responsible for organizing, supervising, regulating, controlling and developing technical and vocational education throughout the country.
Presently in Bangladesh, public and private institutions provide four levels of technical and vocational education, namely secondary level (SSC), higher secondary level (HSC), diploma level and short-term training courses in various trades. Around 87 per cent of the institutes are in the private sector. The classes are offered by vocational training institutes, polytechnics, commercial institutes, technical training centres and specialized institutes. The Directorate of Technical Education (DTE) and the Bangladesh Technical Education Board (BTEB) oversee the three layers (SSC vocational, HSC vocational and Diploma) of formal vocational and technical education provided by both public and private institutions and part of the training courses.
Apprenticeships have long been viewed as bringing theoretical and practical knowledge together. Apprentices learn in the context of a real work setting and attain not only occupational skills but other work-related skills, including communication, problem-solving, allocating resources and dealing with supervisors and a diverse spectrum of co-workers.
The absence of apprenticeships is a profound concern for the TVET sector in Bangladesh. Theoretical coverage in TVET institutions and examination systems is well-developed (ADB, 2015). However, the less developed part is less exposure to practical applications during the period of study and less congruence with the local and global market requirements. This leads to a lack of employers’ confidence in the TVET system, eventually leading to skill shortages and unemployment amongst TVET graduates. In this context, SME Foundation plans to prepare a paper on TVET and Apprenticeship: Roles of Key Stakeholders.
2. Objective:
The main objective of the paper is to evaluate/analyse the TVET and apprenticeship system for entrepreneurship development in Bangladesh and find out the roles of stakeholders.
2.1 Specific Objectives:
- To examine the current status of TVET and apprenticeship in Bangladesh;
- To find the prospect of TVET and apprenticeship in Bangladesh;
- To analyse the existing policy and guidelines of TVET and apprenticeship in Bangladesh;
- To examine challenges faced by TVET graduates;
- To find out the challenges and barriers to the development of TVET and apprenticeship system in Bangladesh;
- To find out the global experiences of TVET and apprenticeship system and to suggest some model cases for Bangladesh;
- To identify the strategies of TVET and apprenticeship development plan;
- To analyse the scope of intervention and policy options/recommendations for the way forward.
3. Scope of Work:
- Assess the current system of TVET and apprenticeship in Bangladesh;
- Review the level/course of entrepreneurship skills offered by TVET institutes;
- Review various government documents, modules & policies for policy suggestions as well as academic research and recommendations;
- Arrange separate consultation meetings with 7/8 TVET institutes in consultation with SMEF;
- Collect data by interviewing the key informants such as policymakers, experts, technical institutes, business leaders, representatives from chamber/associations and relevant organisations, etc. And also, cross-check the information through consultation meetings;
- Asset Mapping of TVET Programs and apprenticeship system of Bangladesh;
- Review the relevant programs & policies of other relevant/similar countries related to TVET and apprenticeship.
4. Methodology & Task Specification:
- The consultant/researcher shall propose a detailed methodology and work plan for the paper complying with the objectives and scope of work;
- The information shall be collected from primary sources like Surveys, Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), etc. and secondary sources like published reports/journals, websites etc.
- The consultant shall arrange a separate consultation meeting with 7/8 TVET institutes in consultation with SMEF;
- The consultant shall arrange consultation/meetings with the key stakeholders (Govt. agency, TVET institutes, TUs, Apex bodies, etc.);
- The consultant shall propose a comprehensive work plan with every detailed activity, including but not limited to planned tasks, person-days, schedule, duration etc.
- The consultant shall propose a budget with every breakup detail (segment-wise).
5. Work Modalities:
- A consultant/researcher will conduct the study. He/she will be responsible for drafting the reports and other deliverables;
- The consultant/researcher will get feedback from the SME Foundation and FES Bangladesh from time to time on the way to finalising the report;
- There should be consultations between SME Foundation, FES Bangladesh and the consultant.
6. Reporting Requirements:
- The written report is expected to respond to all the tasks identified in the ToR and follow the standard reporting format;
- The consultant/researcher shall be engaged and responsible for sharing research work, meeting with SME Foundation and FES Bangladesh, and consultation meeting/workshop preparation at separate times;
- Necessary amendments, updates and changes shall be done to finalise reports by the researcher in consultation with SME Foundation and FES Bangladesh.
7. Time Frame (Tentative):
SL |
Activity |
Months |
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1 |
2 |
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1. |
Awarding the Task | ||||
2. |
Review and collection of Secondary materials, data, reports, surveys, FGDs, KIIs etc. | ||||
3. |
Submission of Draft Report | ||||
4. |
Submission of final report (by incorporating recommendations) | ||||
8. Remuneration and payment
- A fixed amount of consultancy fees for the paper will be finalised as per FES norms in consultation with the researcher and paid by FES Bangladesh;
- The full amount of the honorarium will be paid through cheque or online payment to the name of the researchers in three instalments. The first instalment (10% of the contract price) shall be paid upon acceptance of the inception report, the second instalment (40% of the contract price) shall be paid upon acceptance of the draft report, and the final one (50% of the contract price) shall be paid after finalisation and acceptance of the final report by 15th October 2022;
- The final report will be finalised upon certification from SME Foundation and FES Bangladesh;
- Income tax will be inclusive of the amount. All the applicable TAX and VAT will be deducted at the source and deposited by the direct paying authority as per the Law. FES Bangladesh will reimburse the same (gross amount) to the direct paying authority on submission of such documentation after completion of the event within two weeks as per MoC.
- A workshop will be organised jointly by SME Foundation, FES Bangladesh and the researcher. FES Bangladesh will bear all the costs related to the workshop;
- Other than those, no cost for taking interviews, transport, organising FGDs, KIIs, mobile bills, and related things will not be reimbursed.
9. Evaluation Criteria for consultant/researchers:
- Senior Researcher / Professor (PhD holders will be preferred);
- Experience in working on TVET and Apprenticeship;
- Having knowledge of entrepreneurship development will be preferred;
- Proven competency in research and publication.
10. Steps for selection of researchers:
- Request for Expression of Interest (EoI) along with proposals (Research & Financial);
- Evaluation of the documents (EoI & proposals);
- Awarding the task.
11. Expected deliverables:
- Draft Report;
- Proceedings of the meetings/workshop; and
- Final Report (Hard and soft copy).
12. Submission of the EoI & other documents:
Interested consultant/researcher shall respond to the expression of interest (EOI) and demonstrate that they are qualified to perform the services;
- Researchers shall submit a technical and financial proposal including CV, TIN along with EoI;
- Hard and soft copy to:
Managing Director, SME Foundation, Level 6 & 7, Parjatan Bhaban, E-5/C-1, Agargaon Administrative Area, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka-1207, email: md@smef.gov.bd - With a CC to (masum.billah@smef.gov.bd, abu.syed@smef.gov.bd)
- Documents must be submitted by 22 August 2022, Monday.
13. Declarations and representations:
- By signing the contract, the consultant/researcher certifies that they are not in a situation of conflict of interest in relation to this contract;
- Confidentiality of every information belonging to the SME Foundation and FES Bangladesh should be maintained strictly by the research team.
14. Copyright:
- FES Bangladesh will reserve the copyright of the study report prepared under this contract; SME Foundation may use the study report for their purposes after written approval by FES Bangladesh.
- Any part of the report cannot be shared, sold or reproduced in any manner without the prior approval of FES Bangladesh.
15. Termination of the contract:
- SME Foundation and FES Foundation reserve the right to terminate the contract without prior notice in case of failure to fulfil/complete the assignment satisfactorily.
- Plagiarism and lack of authenticity of data will cause automatic termination of the contract. In case of fraud, money (paid) must be back to the authority.