Award of National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Certificate
NVQ Framework
The NVQ framework provides for persons to acquire certificates through undergoing a formal institutional training as well recognizing competencies acquired through informal non – institutional means as shown in figure below.
Advantages to NVQ certificate holders
- NVQ Certificate is not a training certificate.
- certifies your skills. It is a Nationally recognized certificate that confirms, you possess skills up to the respective NVQ level in that occupation.
- Career path to obtain qualifications in higher levels of this framework and gaining relevant skills on the basis of experience and competencies.
- NVQ System is a skill evaluation system & has a high tendency for a foreign employment.
- Since the Skill Standards are prepared with the contribution of professionally competent personnel in the industry, such skills are consisted with functions to be carried out in the Industry. Therefore, it is easier to seek jobs for NVQ certificate holders.
- If NVQ certificate recipients are enthusiastic to gain higher qualifications; the system encourages upgrading their career development.
Advantages to employers.
- As skills required for Industries are identified and consisted with skills those certified by NVQ system, it is the best fit to employ NVQ holders in their institutions.
- NVQ Qualification could be used for the recruitment of technical hands for institutions, and also eligible for promotions and higher salaries etc.
What is meant by RPL?
RPL (Recognition of prior learning) is an assessment process that assesses the person competencies acquired through informal, non-institutional learning to determine the extent to which that person has achieved the required competencies as set out in the relevant National Skills Standard leading to a qualification of the NVQ framework.
With regard to transfer of credits attained by persons in other courses, that particular course is assessed to determine the extent to which it is equivalent to the performance levels as set out in the relevant National Skills Standard. In such a case, RPL is used to assess previously acquired knowledge and skills to fill the gap of prerequisite of a course. Therefore, RPL is implemented in two ways. namely,
- Assessment of a person for NVQ
- Assessment of a course for credit transfer
The following figure shows two ways of RPL implementation.
The training institutions whose courses have been accredited by the TVEC may assess a course for the purpose of credit transfer provided that their accreditation is extended to do so. Therefore, RPL involves the assessment of previously unrecognized skills and knowledge a person has achieved outside the formal institutional training for the purpose of award of NVQ qualifications as well as for the purpose of credit transfer for further study.
Supportive evidences to get NVQ through RPL
- A routine report which certifies the skills performed relating to the training/employment which is certified by a competent supervisor/ officer.
- Craftwork and samples.
- Certificate of service in support of skills.
- Recommendations made by the competent persons in the relevant trade.
- Visual discs reflect how the work in respect of training/occupation is done.
- Observation of carrying out the work.
- Practical/ theoretical examinations.
Your career so far depended on your skills and ability. Now our authority (NAITA) has launched a programme to award a certificate of national recognition for your vocational skills, under which you have the opportunity of obtaining a National Vocational Qualification Certificate.
As this certificate enjoys national recognition it is recognized even for foreign employment. If you are self-employed this certificate will enable you even raise a bank loan.
As this certificate opens for you a path leading to the National Diploma, Higher Diploma or the degree level qualifications you will be able to plan your career path with confidence.
Your skill / ability could be tested and confirmed at your own workplace or a training center named by the National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority.
If you are willing to obtain a National Vocational Qualification certificate, you can get yourself registered for the skills test held for this purpose by paying a sum of Rs. 1,000/=. Application form can be downloading from this site too.
Qualifications to apply NVQ Level 2, 3 and 4
1) Industry Experience Required to apply for NVQ Level 2 & 3 Assessments.
| Occupational Category | Responsible Work Experience |
|
Occupations with Own Account Workers Only for Construction Craftsmen (Masonry, Painting (Building), Plumber, Barbender) Wood Craftsmen (Carpentry), Automobile Tinker, Automobile Painter, Tailor and Electrician (Domestic Wiring) (E40S001Q1L3) |
Service Certificate for 1½ years from Grama Niladhari with attestation from Divisional Secretary (DS) |
| Other Occupations dominant with format employment |
Formal Employment – Service Certificates for 1½ years from employers. Self-Employment Business registration for 1½ years. |
When a person in other occupations submits a Grama Niladhari Certificate with attestation from Divisional Secretariat (DS) for his/her experience, assessment could be done by talking one assessor nominated by the Director General or assigned officer of TVEC.
2) Industry Experience required to apply for NVQ Level 4 Assessments.
i) Candidates with NVQ Level 2 or 3 qualifications;
2 years experience after obtaining NVQ Level 2 or 3 and following certificates of experience are accepted.
– Formal employment Service certificate from the employer/s
– Self-employment Business registration for 2 years
– Informal employment Grama Niladhari certificates signed by DS
– Own account workers Grama Niladhari certificate signed by DS
(Own Account Workers means self-employed person without a business such as Construction Craftsman (Mason))
ii) Candidates with formal employment direct applying to NVQ Level 4 Assessments
5 years experience in an employment or self-employments and following certificates of experience are accepted.
– Formal employment with EPF/Pension contribution (Service certificate and pay sheets indicating EPF/Pension
contribution)
– Self-employment with Business Registration (Business registration and documents on current business)
iii) Candidates with employment or self-employment in informal sector, direct applying to NVQ Level 4 Assessments (This group
may not have EPF contribution and Business Registration)
5 years experience in an employment or self-employments and following certificates of experience are accepted.
– Certificate of experience in an employment or self-employment from Grama Niladhari, signed by the Divisional
Secretary.
– Assessment panel should include an assessor nominated by the Director General or assigned officer of TVEC.
3) Candidates with non-accredited (Non NVQ) training certificates with TVEC registration.
| Training period | Responsible Industry Experience Required for NVQ Level 2 & 3 | Responsible Industry Experience Required for NVQ Level 4 | |
| Less than 6 months | Less than 720 hrs. | Not considered | – |
| 6 to 12 months | 720-1440 hrs. | 1 year | 3 years |
| 12 to 24 months | 1440-2880 hrs. | 9 months | 2 years |
| 24 to 36 months | 2880-3420 hrs. | 6 months | 1 ½ years |
4) Candidates with Apprenticeship under NAITA,
| Training Period | Responsible Industry Experience Required for NVQ Level 2 & 3 | Responsible Industry Experience Required for NVQ Level 4 | |
| Less than 12 months | Less than 1440 hrs. | Not Considered | |
| 12 months or more | 1440 hrs. or more | 12 months | 03 years |
| 24 months or more | 2880 hrs. or more | 06 months | 02 years |
| 36 months or more | More than 36 hrs. | 06 months | 01 year |
Here apprentices should have well maintained daily diary. Apprenticeship without daily diary will not be recognized at the assessment.
5) Assessment Venue or Site
i) Training center with Accredited Training Course relevant to the assessment.
ii) Industry with business registration on approval by the VTA / NAITA Director, Assistant Director responsible for NVQ Assessment.
– Minimum 18 months industry experience for NVQ Level 2 or 3 and further 24 months experience for Level 4 after obtaining Level 2 or 3, OR
– Minimum 5 years relevant experience in formal employment with contributions for EPF or Pension, OR
– Minimum 5 years relevant experience in self-employment with a business registration
This registration fee,
- Can be credited to Account No. 174100110350223 of the Nugegoda Branch of Peoples Bank or any Branch of Peoples Bank
- Can be paid to the National Vocational Qualification Section at the address given below on any working day of the week
between 10.00 a.m. and 3.00 p.m. - The receipt you get on the payment of Rs. 1,000/- should be attached to the application form sent herewith on completing it, and both should be either sent by post or handed over to the address given below.
Please note that in addition to the registration fee, you are required to pay the cost of raw materials and testing charges in order to face the skills test.
Address for the submission of the application and for further particulars:
National Vocational Qualification Testing Section
National Apprentice & Industrial Training Authority,
971, Sri Jayawardenappura Mawatha,
Welikada, Rajagiriya.
T.P. for further particulars +94 11 2863680