Abstract/Summary

This study analyses industry‐specific training programmes catering to the garment industry in Bangladesh, Cambodia and Sri Lanka. Employing a historical‐institutionalist perspective and using mainly qualitative data, it focuses on programmes that are considered particularly relevant by the industry and discuss their characteristics as well as factors that have had an impact on their development. The article finds that such programmes are usually offered beyond formal upper secondary vocational education and training, mostly at postsecondary and tertiary level, and in many cases by private providers. However, the case of Sri Lanka shows that public investment in the training of employees at different skill levels can make an important contribution to the development of a high‐skill formation regime—but that it depends on the right timing.

In the global education policy debate, vocational education and training (VET) has become much more important in recent years, particularly in the discussion on low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs). In the context of the 2030 Agenda, for instance, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) formulated therein (United Nations, 2015), VET is prioritised much more strongly compared to previous development agendas (see e.g., United Nations General Assembly, 2000). This renaissance of VET in development policy is linked to the expectation that poorer people will gain better access to the labour market and income and that an overall contribution will be made to more inclusive economic change.

The link to the journal can be access here: https://doi.org/10.1111/ijtd.12340