Careers a framework for awarding vocational training qualifications. This framework is introduced by the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission in collaboration with all Government Technical Education and Vocational Training Institutes. NVQ system is nationally and internationally recognized and similar systems are already in practice in many of the developed and even developing countries. The NVQ system consists of seven levels starting from entry level going up to the planning level. Any person obtaining the entry level qualification can go up the ladder of NVQ system by acquiring the required experience and passing each level of the qualification. The most important point to remember is that one can obtain a degree equivalent qualification at the highest level by climbing through the NVQ qualification ladder. Therefore, any youth finishing the school education without getting selected for the national university system still has a path open to obtain the highest possible qualification in their respective fields. The first 4 levels of the NVQ framework are categorized as craftsmanship where the level 4 is recognized as master craftsman. The levels 5 and 6 are equivalent to diploma and higher diploma respectively. These two levels typically correspond to supervisory and managerial roles in the job market. The final level, which is level 7, is compatible to a Degree qualification and is offered by a Vocational & Technical University (UNIVOTEC).
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EDEX+Plus Careers Magazine
The introduction of the NVQ system will definitely help to create a globally competitive workforce in Sri Lanka. This will not only train a workforce with the necessary industry specific skills but also make them more employable locally and internationally. If Sri Lanka can send more and more skilled workers abroad, we should be able to reduce the number of people going for unskilled jobs specially the housemaids and avoid the negative social impacts associated with that. More importantly, a skilled workforce will be able to bring in much more foreign exchange than the unskilled workers.
There are many avenues taken by the youth leaving school who do not gain eligibility to enter to the national university system to further their career aspirations One of the important aspects of the NVQ framework is the Competency Based Training (CBT) that is used to train individuals for a specific NVQ level. For every occupation covered by the NVQ system, a National Skills Standard is
drafted with the help of industry experts from the corresponding field. This process is managed by the National Industrial Training Advisory Committee, which is under the NAITA. All these processes make sure that the NVQ system is always kept in pace with the latest developments in each industry. NVQ certifications can also be obtained without following a formal training course. This route of obtaining NVQ certification is called Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). This route facilitates to obtain NVQ those who have already acquired their knowledge and competencies through some other means either formal or informal. This would enable those who are already employed with a set of skills to obtain a proper qualification to go with their skills. There are many government organizations conducting vocational training courses leading to NVQ certifications including National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority, Vocational Training Authority, National Youth Service Council and Technical College of Department of Technical Education and Training. In addition to the government institutes, there are many private and NGO sector institutions that conduct courses accredited to issue NVQ certification. When a person is registering for a vocational training course, it is really important to check whether the course is accredited as an NVQ qualification.