Zubair Qureshi
National Vocational Qualification Framework (NVQF) is one of the key elements of Technical & Vocational Education & Training (TVET) system and development of level 5 qualification is yet another step closer to Pakistan government’s strategy i.e. “Skills For All.”
Federal Minister for Education& Professional Training Shafqat Mehmood said this while addressing the launching ceremony of NVQF, organized by National Vocational & Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) on Tuesday. “We are focused on developing a uniform certification regime which is recognized and accepted both at the local and international level”, he said. The government is going to develop an accreditation regime through a federal directive under which only those certificates will be accepted which are issued by the accredited institutions, he added.
The Minister said negotiations with various international institutions were underway so that our certifications are recognized internationally and enable our skilled labor abroad to secure jobs as per their qualifications. We are also working in close collaboration with provincial governments to train our youth in the industry-relevant trades.
He emphasized that women empowerment takes high priority in the government’s agenda for “Skills for All” strategy and TVET will play a significant role in bringing them into the mainstream economy. He complimented the chairman and the executive director of NAVTTC for accomplishing another key milestone towards TVET reform agenda.
Standardization of qualifications at National and International level performs pivotal role in reforming TVET sector and NAVTTC has achieved an important milestone through development of national vocational qualifications compatible with the international standards & requirements in 25 most important trades including high-tech fields like Robotics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Mechatronics and Automation.
“Development of level 1-5 qualifications is a giant leap forward towards TVET reforms of the country”, said the Chairman NAVTTC Syed Javed Hassan while addressing the ceremony. Developing right courses according to the competency standards will transform the TVET landscape of the country, he added.
Executive Director NAVTTC, Dr Nasir Khan, said that NVQF will play a significant role in bringing a paradigm shift from time bound learning to outcome based learning. He gave a brief presentation on the role of NVQF and a way forward to boost the TVET sector of Pakistan. Upscaling of NVQF and mainstreaming of Competency Based Training (CBT) approach is an integral part of the new National Skills for All Strategy, says Dr. Khan while highlighting the importance of NVQF.
Ambassador of Germany Bernhard Schlagheck and Norwegian ambassador Kjelle-Gunnar Eriksen congratulated NAVTTC for achieving this milestone in TVET delivery of Pakistan.
They said implementation of NVQF will help the government to upscale the implementation of National Skills Strategy. Deputy Head European Union, Anne Marshal said that the standardization of the TVET sector through implementation of NVQF will pave way for a better TVET system in the country.
National Vocational Qualification Framework (NVQF) is a key component for establishing a uniform national system of vocational training, curriculum, and implementation of Competency Based Training and Assessment (CBT&A)that will support implementation of the national goals expressed in the NSS and the national TVET policy.
