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National Qualifications Framework - Mexico
The National Occupational Qualifications System (NOQS) was conceived as part of an initiative to find a valid system that linked different kinds of training and education with the countries employment demands. Mexico has been developing its National Occupational Qualifications System since 1995 when the qualifications framework was attached to new qualifications authorities with regulatory functions. Despite the fact that Mexico has established a full blown qualifications system with although there has been considerable contestation over its coverage of qualifications. It does have a qualifications authority however, Occupational Competency Standardisation and Certification Council CONOCER1.
Background
Under the guidance of CONCER, Mexico first established its NOQS an experience in 1995 by the (CONOCER), (arguably the most important initiative with the greatest scope in the field of occupational competencies in the region). It was an answer to interest on the part of the Government in achieving the participation, among other mechanisms, of the players, by stimulating demand with the aim of supporting the design and development of training based on competency standards and their certification.
In 2025, Mexico counts on an ample, articulated and diversified educative system, that offers education for integral the human development of its population. The system is recognized national and internationally by its quality and constitutes the fundamental axis of cultural, scientific, technological, economic and social the development of the Nation.
Structure of the Framework
School education:
Education is compulsory from 6 to 15 years of age. As from 2004-2005, the third year of pre-school education (age 5) will also become compulsory. Primary education lasts for six years leading to the Certificado de Primaria. Secondary education is divided into: general secondary, secondary education for workers, tele-secondary education, technical secondary and open education. Secondary education lasts for three years from ages 13 to 15 and is offered to pupils who have completed primary education. Secondary education for workers is offered to pupils of 15 and more who have completed primary education. Secondary education lasts for three years and leads to the Bachillerato general or the Bachillerato tecnológico.
Higher education:
In the year 2002, there were 1550 institutions of higher education (these only comprise the central units): 606 public institutions and 944 private institutions. Through their economic dependence or regime they are divided into: a subsystem of public universities; technological education institutions; technological universities; private institutions and teacher training colleges. The public subsystem includes 52 institutions, considering the central units which carry out teaching, research and extension services. In this category are included the federal and state universities. Most public universities are autonomous. The technological institutions include 189 public institutions, 104 of which are part of the Centre of Research and Advanced Studies of the Instituto Politécnico Nacional, the Instituto Politécnico Nacional, the federal technological institutions, the agricultural institutes, the institutes of marine sciences and a forest technological institute. All these institutions are coordinated by the Federal Government through the Under Secretariat of Education and Technological Research of the Public Education Secretariat. The other 85 institutions are decentralized institutions of the state governments. The technological universities are public decentralized organisations of the state governments. They were created as from 1991 to offer two-year programmes to train associate professionals. In the year 2002, there were 54 technological universities. To obtain a diploma, students must be successful in all subjects, carry out social services and have followed a traineeship in the productive sector of 13 to 15 weeks. Private institutions comprise: universities, institutes and centres. Studies must have received the Reconocimiento de Validez Oficial de Estudios (RVOE) of the Secretariat for Public Education or the state governments or be incorporated in a public recognized institution. Courses in teacher training colleges last for four to six years. They train licenciados in pre-school education, in primary education and in secondary education. In the year 2002, there were some 392 teacher training colleges, 224 of which are public and 168 are private.
Coverage
General Secondary:
Technical Secondary:
Higher Secondary:
Specialized Secondary
Polytechnical
Non-university level post-secondary studies (technical/vocational type):
Non-university level:
In Bachillerato Tecnológico courses, students are trained for the higher level and for work in different technological branches: Agriculture, Forestry, Industry, Services and Marine Sciences. Studies last for three years. The Colegio Nacional de Educación Profesional Técnica (CONALEP) is a consortium of institutions which trains professional technicians. Studies are propedeutic and terminal. They last for three years.
University level studies:
University level first stage: Licenciatura/Título profesional; Profesor/Maestro; Grado de Técnico Superior Universitario:
The usual entrance qualification is the Bachillerato. In addition, students normally have to take an entrance examination. Courses leading to the Licenciatura normally last for four years, but five years for certain professional qualifications (e.g. Engineer, Dentist, Architect) and six years for Medicine. To obtain the title, students must obtain all the credits in the course, participate in the social service, prepare a thesis and sit for a professional examination. In some universities, they do not need to sit for the examination to obtain the title. Technological universities offer two-year full-time courses. They confer the title of Técnico Superior Universitario. To obtain the title, students must be successful in all subjects, participate in the social service and follow a traineeship in the production sector of 13 to 15 weeks.
University level second stage: Maestría or Especialización.:
Students must hold a Licenciatura. Studies leading to the title of Maestro last for two years.
University level third stage: Doctorado:
Students must hold a Licenciatura or a Maestría. Studies last for three years and the title of Doctor is conferred on those who have fulfilled the corresponding requirements.
Teacher education:
Training of pre-primary and primary/basic school teachers
Courses leading to a first degree last for four to six years at one of the teacher training colleges (Escuela Normal). Students must hold the Bachillerato. They obtain the title of Licenciado en Educación Preescolar, en Educación Primaria and in Educación Secundaria.
Training of secondary school teachers
Secondary school teachers hold a Licenciatura delivered by a teacher training college or a university. Some teachers qualify through in-service training.
Training of higher education teachers
Since 1970, there have been programmes that train or upgrade teachers. Scholarships are offered to study for a Maestría or a Doctorado.
Non-traditional studies:
Distance higher education
Distance higher education is offered in a great many institutions such as the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, the Universidad Pedagógica Nacional, the Instituto Politécnico Nacional and the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey.
Legal Framework
Organisational Structure
Main Organisations
Issues for Effective Implementation
The World Bank has stated that even in highly developed countries it takes at least ten to twenty years to put in place a new system of occupational standards and certification. However, the report goes onto stress that Mexico has taken an important step toward making its economy the equal of its NAFTA and OECD partners By working with its private business to set standards for its industrial sector, train workers, and establish quality controls3 .
The challenge was to approach the modernisation of educational and training -for- labour systems, not only so that they respond to the exigencies of adaptation to the new conditions of the economy and technology, but particularly to cater to the need to make education and training available to all sectors of the population, with suitable and relevant content and with the quality required by the labour market. At present there are 45 Labour Competency Standardisation Committees operating in Mexico, 57 pilot projects are being carried out in firms of different sectors of economic activity to foster skill development and training of individuals, and seven certifying bodies and nine Evaluation Centres have been accredited.
Council for Normalization and Certification of Competency
Standards or
Labour Competency Standardization and Certification Council
(the Technical Education and Training Modernization Project).
Contact Department and address:
Av. Constituyentes 810,
Col. Lomas Altas,
Delegación Miguel Hidalgo,
Código Postal 11950,
México, Distrito Federal
Tel.: (55) 52 61 58 00
E-mail address: atencionausuarios@conocer.org.mx
Ministry Affiliation:
Council for Normalization and Certification of Competency
Standards
(Consejo de Normalizacíon y Certificación de Competencia
Laboral: CONOCER)
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