The
informal economy plays a significant role in Bangladesh's national economy, contributing to employment generation and the
distribution of goods and services. The Bangladesh Labour Force Survey 2022 reveals that nearly 6 crore (60 million) people, accounting for 84.9% of the total working population in Bangladesh, are engaged in informal employment. It is noteworthy that out
of the total employed women in Bangladesh, 96.6 percent are in informal
employment. Similarly, 92.7 percent of youth aged 15-27 are employed
informally. In terms of GDP and employment, Bangladesh's informal sectors are the most
important economic activities. According to studies, about 35% to 88% of
Bangladesh's workforce is employed in the informal economy, and the informal
economy contributes around 49% to 64% of the country's GDP.
Informal Sector Industry Skills Council (ISISC)
is created by the National Skills Development Authority (NSDA) earlier NSDC
under the Prime Minister`s Office as a non-profitable organization. The organization is licensed by the Ministry
of Commerce, Government of the People`s Republic of Bangladesh registered under
the Companies Act (Act XVIII) of 1994. ISISC is one of the largest and vibrant
non-profit organizations (out of 16 ISCs) for linking Informal Sector
Industries with pertinent Government bodies and other stakeholders having
common interest vis-a-vis workforce and sectoral development.
To enhance the skills, productivity, and employability of workers in Bangladesh’s informal economy by developing industry-driven training standards, recognizing existing skills, and promoting lifelong learning opportunities — ensuring that informal workers gain access to decent work, sustainable livelihoods, and pathways to formal employment.
To build a skilled, recognized, and empowered informal workforce that contributes effectively to national development and economic growth through inclusive, quality, and industry-responsive skills development.
The Informal Sector Industry Skills Council (ISISC) plays a vital role in identifying the real skill demand within Bangladesh’s vast informal economy. Through continuous research, industry consultation, and field-level engagement, ISISC conducts comprehensive Skills Needs Assessments to ensure that training, certification, and policy planning stay aligned with market realities.
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Design and validate National Occupational Standards (NOS) and Competency-Based Training (CBT) curriculum tailored to informal sector needs.
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Assess and certify workers’ existing skills and experiences, helping them gain formal recognition without traditional schooling.
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Partner with training providers, NGOs, and community organizations to deliver industry-relevant training programs nationwide.
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Work closely with employers and small enterprises to ensure training meets market demand and improves employability.
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Ensure all training and assessments follow NSDA guidelines and meet national competency standards.
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Promote the importance of informal sector skills development and advocate for policies that support inclusive and sustainable employment.
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Promoting Gender Responsive Enterprise Development and TVET Systems (ProGRESS) & ISISC Jointly Organize Orientation & Inaugural Ceremony
The primary objective of the workshop was to develop a skilled workforce for the country's informal sector, as well as to explore methods for coordinating the skills development of workers in this sector and their integration into the industry.
Dialogues on Mainstreaming Informal Sector Policy in Inclusive and Green Skills of Bangladesh
The Informal Sector Industry Skills Council (ISISC) is a national body that works to strengthen skills development in Bangladesh’s informal sector. It develops standards, curricula, training frameworks, certification systems, and industry partnerships to ensure workers receive relevant and recognized skills.
ISISC supports skills development for informal sector workers, apprentices, master craftspersons, micro-entrepreneurs, and individuals with practical experience. Both new learners and experienced workers seeking recognition through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can participate.
RPL is a process that certifies the skills workers have gained through experience, on-the-job learning, or informal apprenticeship. Candidates demonstrate their skills, and if they meet national standards, they receive official NSDA-approved certificates without attending full-length training.
ISISC follows a structured Quality Assurance framework, conducts monitoring of training providers, approves assessors, verifies assessment processes, and ensures compliance with National Occupational Standards (NOS). This maintains fairness, accuracy, and reliability in certification.
ISISC works closely with informal enterprises, master craftspersons, and sector associations. Industry experts help develop standards, validate curriculum, participate in assessments, support RPL activities, and provide insights to keep training aligned with market needs.
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