30% of BUTEX Graduates Are Not Joining the Textile Sector: Student Research
“Is there any life left if you work in textiles? Spending 12 hours a day in the factory then there is no time for doing anything. Life has become all about sleeping and working, sometimes without even proper sleep,” shared Sakib, a textile engineer employed in a textile factory. After completing his studies in textile engineering, he joined the workforce without delay to support his family’s financial stability.
When asked about the workload and whether he enjoys his professional life, he replied, “The workload is immense. I get one day off per week, and sometimes, even that day is spent working. There’s a constant mental pressure.”
Sakib’s experience mirrors that of many textile engineers, who struggle to cope with the heavy workload. Recent research by a group of students has explored various aspects of textile engineers’ professional lives, including the type of jobs they take after graduation, why some switch industries, and how others manage or fail to maintain a balance between work and personal life.
The study, titled “The Impact of Work-Life Balance on Job Satisfaction: A Study of Management-Level Textile Engineers in Bangladesh’s Textile Sector,” was conducted by students of the Textile Engineering Management department from the 45th batch of Bangladesh University of Textiles (BUTEX): Mahabur Rahman, Ahosanuzzaman Roni, Mahbub Alam Riaz, and Arjan Roy. It highlights whether textile engineers in Bangladesh can maintain a balance between their work and personal lives and how this affects their job satisfaction.
According to the research, job satisfaction among textile engineers depends on several factors, with workplace flexibility being the most significant. Other influential factors include family support, workplace environment, workload, and career progression opportunities. The factors and their respective impacts on job satisfaction are as follows:
- Flexibility: 25.77%
- Family and employer support: 21.65%
- Workplace environment: 20.10%
- Reduced workload: 16.49%
- Career progression opportunities: 15.98%
From this study, the researchers identified companies that prioritize work-life balance, where employees are motivated and satisfied with their jobs. In such environments, employees feel valued and are more enthusiastic about their work.
The researchers also examined the employment trends among BUTEX graduates, investigating why some choose the textile sector while others switch to different fields or public-sector jobs. They surveyed 2,447 graduates, revealing that 71% entered the private sector, 17% joined government jobs, and 1.83% remained unemployed.
Among the 71% working in the private sector, 75% are employed in textile-related roles, while 25% have taken up jobs unrelated to textiles.
The survey indicates a declining interest in the textile industry among graduates, with many opting for multinational corporations or public-sector jobs. Some have become entrepreneurs, while others have moved abroad to pursue careers either within or outside the textile industry.
Mahabur Rahman, a member of the research team, shared that textile engineers working in production or merchandising roles face intense workloads, making it difficult to maintain a work-life balance. Many feel dissatisfied with their professional lives and discourage younger peers from entering the field. The study highlights how an individual’s overall life satisfaction is deeply interconnected with their workplace satisfaction.
Ahosanuzzaman Roni added that the well-being of workers in textile factories often depends on the policies imposed by buyers. Buyers sometimes require factories to follow certain rules regarding wages, working hours, and leave. Failure to comply can result in the loss of business. Whether these guidelines are followed largely depends on factory owners and senior management, who must take proactive measures to ensure the well-being of their employees.
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“Is there any life left if you work in textiles? Spending 12 hours a day in the factory then there is no time for doing anything. Life has become all about sleeping and working, sometimes without even proper sleep,” shared Sakib, a textile engineer employed in a textile factory. After completing his studies in textile engineering, he joined the workforce without delay to support his family’s financial stability.
When asked about the workload and whether he enjoys his professional life, he replied, “The workload is immense. I get one day off per week, and sometimes, even that day is spent working. There’s a constant mental pressure.”
Sakib’s experience mirrors that of many textile engineers, who struggle to cope with the heavy workload. Recent research by a group of students has explored various aspects of textile engineers’ professional lives, including the type of jobs they take after graduation, why some switch industries, and how others manage or fail to maintain a balance between work and personal life.
The study, titled “The Impact of Work-Life Balance on Job Satisfaction: A Study of Management-Level Textile Engineers in Bangladesh’s Textile Sector,” was conducted by students of the Textile Engineering Management department from the 45th batch of Bangladesh University of Textiles (BUTEX): Mahabur Rahman, Ahosanuzzaman Roni, Mahbub Alam Riaz, and Arjan Roy. It highlights whether textile engineers in Bangladesh can maintain a balance between their work and personal lives and how this affects their job satisfaction.
According to the research, job satisfaction among textile engineers depends on several factors, with workplace flexibility being the most significant. Other influential factors include family support, workplace environment, workload, and career progression opportunities. The factors and their respective impacts on job satisfaction are as follows:
- Flexibility: 25.77%
- Family and employer support: 21.65%
- Workplace environment: 20.10%
- Reduced workload: 16.49%
- Career progression opportunities: 15.98%
From this study, the researchers identified companies that prioritize work-life balance, where employees are motivated and satisfied with their jobs. In such environments, employees feel valued and are more enthusiastic about their work.
The researchers also examined the employment trends among BUTEX graduates, investigating why some choose the textile sector while others switch to different fields or public-sector jobs. They surveyed 2,447 graduates, revealing that 71% entered the private sector, 17% joined government jobs, and 1.83% remained unemployed.
Among the 71% working in the private sector, 75% are employed in textile-related roles, while 25% have taken up jobs unrelated to textiles.
The survey indicates a declining interest in the textile industry among graduates, with many opting for multinational corporations or public-sector jobs. Some have become entrepreneurs, while others have moved abroad to pursue careers either within or outside the textile industry.
Mahabur Rahman, a member of the research team, shared that textile engineers working in production or merchandising roles face intense workloads, making it difficult to maintain a work-life balance. Many feel dissatisfied with their professional lives and discourage younger peers from entering the field. The study highlights how an individual’s overall life satisfaction is deeply interconnected with their workplace satisfaction.
Ahosanuzzaman Roni added that the well-being of workers in textile factories often depends on the policies imposed by buyers. Buyers sometimes require factories to follow certain rules regarding wages, working hours, and leave. Failure to comply can result in the loss of business. Whether these guidelines are followed largely depends on factory owners and senior management, who must take proactive measures to ensure the well-being of their employees.