Purpose The purpose of this research is to critically assess workforce readiness for the future of work (FoW) in Bangladesh by examining the alignment between existing human resource development (HRD) practices, emerging skill requirements, academia and industry linkages and organizational as well as policy-level responses. Design/methodology/approach This qualitative study explored the perspectives of 48 human resource (HR) professionals from various sectors in Bangladesh through semi-structured interviews. Participants were selected using purposive sampling to ensure diverse organizational representation. The interviews were guided by five core themes: workforce readiness, current HRD practices, education-employment gaps, digital transformation awareness and policy responses. Data were thematically analyzed to identify key patterns and insights. Findings The findings reveal a serious mismatch between academic outputs and industry needs in Bangladesh, with fresh graduates often lacking essential soft skills, digital literacy and job-specific competencies. Traditional organizations lag behind due to limited strategic vision, infrastructure and resistance to change. The weak collaboration between academia and industry further widens the skills gap. Without a clear policy direction and coordinated efforts, workforce readiness for the FoW remains a critical concern. Research limitations/implications This research is limited by its qualitative scope and sample size, which may not capture the full diversity of perspectives across all industries and regions. Practical implications The findings offer practical insights for policymakers, educators and HR leaders to design targeted interventions that enhance workforce readiness and bridge skill gaps. Originality/value Although the FoW and HRD have been widely discussed, this study adds value by focusing on the Bangladesh context. It looks closely at workforce readiness by exploring skills gaps, HRD practices, links between academia and industry, digital awareness and policy support, based on insights from HR professionals across sectors. The study reflects real workplace experiences and highlights practical challenges and gaps that are often missed in broader discussions.
Shahriar et al. (Thu,) studied this question.