The Sri Lankan UNEVOC Centre TVEC has organized a study tour from 7th to 13th October 2013 on “NVQF and RPL Assessments practices in Industries” for a delegation of 21 officials from NAVTTC, TEVTAs, Stakeholders from industry associations and members of the trade testing boards and the boards of technical education of Pakistan with the following objectives:

• be able to make comparisons with the TVET system in Sri Lanka and develop relevant ideas for implementing activities of NVQF
• get to know and discuss with different stakeholders about industry involvement in NVQF processes
• get to know vertical and horizontal mobility in TVET system in acquiring NVQ Degree
• get to know how Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is practiced in industries and how employers and employees can benefit from RPL

The participants were involved in discussions on

• Role and responsibility of Tertiary and Vocation Education Commission – TVEC in NVQ Assessments
• RPL Assessment process
• Eligibility criteria for NVQ Assessors
• Assessor training and Registry
• Eligibility criteria for RPL applicants
• NVQ certification and Registry for NVQ Certificate holders information

Apart from those the following areas were discussed and studied the lessons learnt on

• Labour Market Information system
• Quality Assurance of TVET Institutes (Registration, Accreditation of courses, establish QMS)
• Develop Vocational Education and Training (VET) Plans for growing industry sectors/provinces
• Endorse National Competency Standards

The visit to University of Vocational Technology UNIVOTEC enabled them to understand the

• Horizontal and vertical mobility, credit accumulation and transfer system in TVET
• Teacher training and Assessor training for CBT and RPL Assessments
• Development of teaching and learning resources

The visit to Colombo Dockyard PLC, an Industry practicing RPL Assessments to qualify their informal workforce was enabled the participants to understand

• Industry commitment for NVQ awarding
• Industry partnership with TVET sector
• Benefits for Industry and TVET through such initiatives
• RPL Assessment process
• Support from management to maintain evidence Portfolio of RPL – NVQ applicants

Weblink of TVEC Sri Lanka: http://www.tvec.gov.lk

Submitted by: Janaka Jayalath, TVET