Stitching a Greener Future: Empowering RMG Workers with Green Skills for Sustainability

Bangladesh’s Ready-Made Garments (RMG) sector, employing over four million workers—60% of whom are women—has long been a cornerstone of the nation’s economy. As global buyers increasingly demand environmentally responsible production, the industry faces mounting challenges such as climate change, resource depletion, and the need for compliance with international sustainability standards. Recognizing that meaningful change begins on the factory floor, the PROGRESS project, implemented by Swisscontact with support from the Embassy of Sweden introduced the Green Skills Training initiative. This program aimed to empower workers with practical knowledge to drive sustainability, ensuring that factories remain competitive while reducing their environmental footprint.

Green Skills Training in 16 factories for over 900 workers

The Green Skills Training initiative was rolled out across 16 factories and trained over 900 workers, prioritising women’s participation to foster inclusivity and leadership. Conducted in Bangla, the training combined theoretical knowledge with hands-on demonstrations, instilling a culture of resource efficiency and environmental responsibility. Workers learned about climate change impacts, energy conservation strategies, water resource management, waste segregation and recycling, and safe chemical handling. By focusing on actionable practices—such as turning off unused machinery, using electrical appliances mindfully, turning off tap water after use —the training empowered participants to implement immediate changes in their workplaces.

Gender inclusivity as a key achievement

A key achievement of the initiative was its emphasis on gender inclusivity. Women represented 68% of trained workers, gaining technical skills that enhanced their career prospects and confidence.

Participating factories have been impressed by the positive outcomes of the Green Skills Training initiative, prompting the project team to recommend integrating the training module into factories' annual training calendars. This approach aims to deliver year-round training for workers, either by incorporating the module into existing green skills programs or using it as a standalone resource. By making these sessions a regular feature, factories can maintain a consistent emphasis on sustainable production practices, ensuring the program's long-term continuation. This adaptive approach of factories reflects a significant shift in mindset, where sustainability is no longer viewed as a mere compliance requirement but as an integral part of operational strategy and workforce development.