The National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF)

 The National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) - The way forward to a single platform

The National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) organizes qualifications according to a series of levels of knowledge, skills and aptitude. These levels are defined in terms of learning outcomes which the learner must possess regardless of whether they were acquired through formal, non3formal or informal learning. In that sense, the NSQF is a quality assurance framework. It is, therefore, a nationally integrated education and competency based skill framework that will provide for multiple pathways, horizontal as well as vertical, both within vocational education and vocational training and among vocational education, vocational training, general education and technical education, thus linking one level of learning to another higher level. This will enable a person to acquire desired competency levels, transit to the job market and, at an opportune time, return for acquiring additional skills to further upgrade their competencies

The key elements of the NSQF provide: 

A)           National principles for recognizing skill proficiency and competencies at different levels leading to international equivalency.

B)            Multiple entry and exit between vocational education in, skill training, general education, technical education and job markets

C )           Progression pathways defined within skill qualification framework

Opportunities to promote lifelong learning and skill development partnership with industry/employers

D)        Transparent, accountable and credible mechanism for skill development across various sectors

Increased potential for recognition of prior learning

E )           The qualification framework is beneficial to schools, vocational education and training providers, higher education institutes, accrediting authorities as well as industry and its representative bodies, unions, professional associations and licensing authorities. The biggest beneficiaries of such a framework are the learners who can judge the relative value of a qualification at a particular level on the framework and make informed decisions about their career progression paths. 

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Eins & Erste