RAPID-BACCO Meeting on Skills Gap in the BPO Sector

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Meeting with BACCO as a RAPID-UNDP major study on the services outsourcing sector makes a head start

On 19 September 2021, RAPID consulted with the representatives of the Bangladesh Association of Call Center and Outsourcing (BACCO). The RAPID-BACCO virtual meeting was held to reveal key information regarding the services outsourcing industry. BACCO representatives provided deep insights into the current state of skills, training opportunities, and technology in the services outsourcing sector. Discussions also covered critical issues regarding academic curriculum and industry needs. Industry leaders shared their perspectives on possible way forward.

Important industry insights emerged from this meeting as RAPID, with the support from UNDP Bangladesh Accelerator Lab, proceeds to conduct a study to assess the skills demand and gaps in the services outsourcing sector.

Dealing with labour market issues are now very important for Bangladesh. It is estimated that the country needs to create two million jobs a year to accommodate new entrants to the labour market. On the other hand, graduating from the group of LDCs is going to suppress the export competitiveness and with heavy dependence on exports of a single sector, export diversification has become more important than ever.

The services outsourcing sector has a robust potential of boosting employment and enhancing export diversification, and hence the study is considered to be of substantial importance as it aims to assess the skill demand and gaps, and suggest robust evidence-based interventions and policies.

Meeting Participants:
Wahid Sharif, President, BACCO
Mohammad Aminul Hoque, Finance Secretary, BACCO
Rashed Mujib Noman, Director, BACCO
Dr M Abdur Razzaque, Chairman, RAPID
Dr M Abu Eusuf, Executive Director, RAPID
Mahir Musleh, Research Economist, RAPID
Jillur Rahman, Research Fellow, RAPID
Rabiul Islam, Research Economist, RAPID