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Informal Sector Industry Skills Council (ISISC)

About Us

About Informal Sector industry Skills Council (ISISC)

About Informal Sector industry Skills Council (ISISC)


ISISC is working with the informal sector industries in Bangladesh since 2015. The major activities are monitor and review skills development practice in the informal sector, develop skills development policies, skills training, entrepreneurship development, strategic advice on the skills development, research, contribute to competency standards and curriculum development, partnership development with skills training institutions, industries and enterprises, awareness raising on labour policy and decent works in the informal sector industries in Bangladesh. ISISC is working to skills development, policy advocacy, and awareness raising activities on decent work in the informal sector in partnership with the government and development organizations such as SWISSCONTACT, SDC, European Union, ILO, NSDA, ActionAid Bangladesh, BRAC, SME Foundation, BTEB, DTE, and local training institutions.   

Association Associated Institutions in the ISISC:  


1)    MNG Metal Industries, Bangra, Kalihati, Tangail

2)    National Association of Small & Cottage Industries of Bangladesh (NASCIB)

3)    Bangladesh Association for Community Education (BACE)

4)    SOS Vocational Training Centre Dhaka (SOS CHILDREN`S VILLAGE)

5)    TARANGO

6)    Grameen Shakti

7)    Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC)

8)    Dhaka Ahsania Mission (DAM)

9)    Campaign For Popular Education (CAMPE)

10) Bangla-German Sampreeti (BGS)

11) UCEP Bangladesh

12) DBL Group

13) Livelihood Development Training Institute (LDTI)

14) ASHIKA MANABIK UNNAYAN KENDRA

15) Progressive Naari Biborton

16) S.R Enterprise (Kishorganj Women Chambers of Commerce)

17) Informal Community Optimum Network Society(ICON Society)

18) Montage Training & Certification Bangladesh

19) Compact Foundation

20) Bhairab Footwear Factory Owners Association Ltd

21) Bangladesh Electrician Federation

22) Agricultural Machinery Manufacturer`s Association-Bangladesh (AMMA-B)

23) Furniture King


Objective:  To guide and provide necessary support for the inclusive and sustainable development of informal sector industries through capacity development, policy advocacy, and market research.


1)    To promote skill development activities in the areas of the Informal Sector Industry

2)    To act as a nationally and internationally recognized innovative and dedicated partner to our clients' enterprises, delivering effective human resources solutions that surpass client expectations, and to create a competitive edge by providing exceptional talent and unique solutions, enabling them to focus on their core business.

3)    To act as a career counseling service to individuals to develop a realistic vision of the future and to equip them with a plan to manage their own personal and career development.




Key Focus Areas

The council focuses on various trades and occupations typically found in the informal sector, such as:

  • Handicrafts and cottage industries
  • Domestic work and caregiving
  • Street food vending and hospitality services
  • Small-scale construction and repair work
  • Traditional tailoring and embroidery
  • Rural transport and mechanics
  • Beauty and personal care services

 

⚙️ Core Functions

  • Industry Engagement:
    Brings together employers, workers, and training institutions to align skill training with actual market demand.
  • Occupational Standards Development:
    Prepares and validates National Occupational Standards (NOS) and Competency-Based Curricula for informal sector occupations.
  • Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    Certifies existing skills of informal workers through practical assessment — helping them gain formal recognition.
  • Training and Certification:
    Works with Training Providers (TPs) and Technical Training Centers (TTCs) to offer competency-based training programs.
  • Policy Support:
    Advises NSDA and the government on strategies for upgrading informal sector skills and transitioning workers into the formal economy.


🤝 Stakeholders

  • National Skills Development Authority (NSDA) – Regulatory oversight
  • Industry Associations & SMEs – Skill demand and job placement
  • Training Institutes & NGOs – Implementation of training programs
  • Local Government & Development Partners – Funding and outreach support

 

📈 Impact

  • Enhances productivity and income opportunities for millions of informal workers.
  • Promotes inclusive growth by integrating marginalized groups (especially women and youth).
  • Contributes to Bangladesh’s Vision 2041 and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) through workforce formalization.

 

Our Mission

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.

Our Vision

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.

Director Message

Chairman's Message

Chairman's Message

Bangladesh’s informal sector plays a vital role in our national economy, employing a significant portion of the workforce and contributing greatly to poverty reduction and livelihood generation. However, most of these workers remain outside the formal training and certification system. Recognizing this challenge, the Informal Sector ISC is committed to bringing informal workers into the mainstream of national skills development.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Our Partners

NSDA
ILO

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