National Initiatives Concerning Qualifications Frameworks - Trinidad and Tobago

• Acronyms
• Overview
• Objectives
• Definition of the NQF
• Structure of the Framework
• Legal Framework
• Organisational Structure
• Standard Setting
• Assessment
• Quality Assurance
• Impacts and Achievements
• Contacts

Acronyms

• CARICOM Caribbean Community
• CVQ Caribbean Vocational Qualification
• CXC Caribbean Examinations Council
• ECA Employers' Consultative Association
• GCCC Greater Chaguanas Chamber of Commerce
• GCE General Certificate of Education
• ITO Industry Training Organisations
• SOACs Specific Occupational Advisory Committees
• STCIC South Trinidad Chamber of Industry and Commerce
• TTCIC Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce
• TTMA Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers' Association
• TTNVQ Trinidad and Tobago National Vocational Qualification

The Trinidad and Tobago National Vocational Qualifications (TTNVQ) was adopted in 2001. The TTNVQ is based on national occupational standards which provide a standardised national vocational qualification for courses pursued in the area of technical and vocational education and training. As of April 2001, 13 national standards were developed in a number of industries. Trinidad and Tobago has begun discussion with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat to work towards establishing a regional Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ). TTNVQ contributes to this regional initiative through a formal recognition of skill standards in light of greater labour mobility within the region. Trinidad and Tobago is the first Caribbean country to include a quality assurance system to support the introduction of TTNVQs.

TTNVQ was introduced, as there was a clear need for standardisation of the numerous existing qualifications and certifications for technical and vocational education and training. The NVQ framework allows all candidates the opportunity to progressively attain higher and/or further qualifications in their selected occupation or career. Candidates are able to transfer credits between programmes from one level to another.

TTNVQs aims to bring benefits to:

• The country, by equiping the workforce with the skills needed to meet the performance requirements of industry, in a competitive global market;
• Employers, since TTNVQs are developed in close collaboration with experts from industry; they reflect industry’s performance standards and needs. TTNVQs represent evidence of a candidate’s job competence;
• Individuals, TTNVQs give candidates a standardised qualification, which can be widely recognised by employers. It also allows them to have more access and flexibility to further training.¹

The benefits of accreditation of training providers are summarised as follows:

• For training providers:

• Bestows national recognition to providers of training;
• Promotes quality and current trends in education/training;
• Enhances credibility and image as a provider of training;
• Establishes standards for the acceptable transfer of credits among institutions;
• Promotes a culture of continuous improvement

• For employers:

• Ensures the continued supply of competent employees who are training at institutions and/or organisations that comply with established standards and criteria;
• Makes the search for competent employees easier by selecting candidates with qualifications from NTA-approved training providers.

• For trainees:

• Provides recognition for entry into institutions, professions and business;
• Facilitates the transfer of credits from one programme to another.

• For parents:

• Is an indication of the standard and quality of training provided;
• Assures them that they are getting value for their investment in the training their children pursue at NTA-approved institutions.

The TTNVQ is a national qualification that is based on an individual’s competence for the world of work. Candidates are assessed under actual workplace conditions and there is more emphasis on competency-based assessment. The TTNVQ prepares the candidate with the required skills to competently perform the job, according to the standards required by industry.

TTNVQs are also part of the new thrust to upgrade the quality and standard of technical and vocational training in Trinidad and Tobago, making it more responsive to the needs of industry and the global market.

The TTNVQ should be mixed with CXC (Caribbean Examinations Council) and GCE (General Certificate of Education), which are generally qualifications for academic courses, although CXC offers some technical education courses. The CXC is a Caribbean-based qualification while GCE is a British-based qualification. Examinations are written and projects are submitted as part of the assessment process in order to obtain CXC and GCE qualifications.

The definitions of related terminologies are as follows:

• Competence: The ability to use knowledge, understanding, practical and thinking skills to perform effectively to the national standards required in employment. This is a broad concept which embodies all aspects of competence relevant to an occupational area and not just those aspects of the various technical and task components, which are readily observable;
• Qualifications: A certificate for a particular achievement that specifies the awarding body, the type of qualification and its title;
• Qualifications Framework: The structure for identifying vocational qualifications in terms of level and sectoral classification, in accordance with the competence-based system;
• Quality Assurance: This ensures a consistent approach to monitoring and maintaining the quality of performance - for example, international quality standards such as ISO 9000. With competence-based vocational qualifications, quality assurance is dependent largely upon the internal and external verification process;
• Occupational Standards: These specify the standards of competence people are expected to reach in a particular occupational area, including knowledge and understanding. They also provide the basis for assessment, which is crucial to their use in competence-based vocational qualifications. The standards are defined and kept up-to-date by standards-setting bodies, and are recognized by the NTA.²

Coverage

TTNVQs are based on national occupational standards. Industry experts come together to define the standards for top performance in their industries. These standards are then translated to the curriculum and assessment procedures developed to encompass the standards identified. All TTNVQs fit into a TTNVQ framework. There are five levels, of which Level 1 is the introductory level called Semi-Skilled and Level 5 the highest level, which is equivalent to the Chartered and Advanced Professional Level³.

Entry into Level 1 does not require stringent pre-qualifications. Entries to Level 2 and higher are based on previous knowledge and experience in the occupational area. A candidate can be assessed through Prior Learning Assessment to ascertain the level at which the candidate can be placed. This is particularly important for those persons who have years of experience but no formal qualifications. Prior Learning Assessment allows candidates more access to training and further qualifications.

There are no age barriers for candidates wanting to attain a TTNVQ. Anyone can do a TTNVQ regardless of his or her age or stage in life. The TTNVQ framework is meant to produce lifelong learning for all.

People can obtain TTNVQs - Level 1, at institutes and industrial centres accredited by the NTA to provide technical and vocational education and training. TTNVQs for higher levels will be acquired at institutes and industrial centres where modern apprenticeships and traineeships are facilitated. TTNVQs will eventually be available at approved workplaces offering in-house training to employees⁵.

Since April 2001, TTNVQ has covered following industries: Fabricating, Fitting, Food and beverage services, Industrial instrumentation, Information technology, Process operators and Welding⁶.

Credit transfer

Candidates are allowed to transfer credits between programmes from one level to another.

Recognition of prior learning

A candidate can be assessed through Prior Learning Assessment to ascertain the level at which the candidate can be placed. This is particularly important for those persons who have years of experience but no formal qualifications. Prior Learning Assessment allows candidates more access to training and further qualifications⁷ .

Definition: Assessment of Prior Learning (APL): The process which formally recognizes a candidate's previous work as other experience which can then be used as proof of competence leading towards a qualification.

Trinidad and Tobago that has no relevant legislation on training at the moment and has envisaged the necessity creating and adopting a new legislation. A national skills bill to facilitate funding for workers wishing to improve their knowledge and skills is currently being planned for introduction to the Parliament⁸.

Based on recommendations submitted by the Committee on National Training in 1998, the National Training Agency (NTA), which aims included producing the Trinidad and Tobago National Vocational Qualifications (TTNVQ) system and facilitating the development of the Caribbean Vocational Qualifications, was created in Trinidad and Tobago in 1999⁹.

The NTA is operating with tripartite management committees. The National Training Agency was established in January 1999 under the aegis of the Ministry of Training and Distance Learning.

The role of National Training Agency:

• The National Training Agency is the new umbrella agency for effecting reform in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in Trinidad and Tobago;
• Its role is to coordinate and regulate technical and vocational education and training, promoting and facilitating a coherent system of quality TVET;
• This system is designed to satisfy the changing needs of industry as well as cater to the aspirations of individuals in pursuit of their career goals and opportunities;
• Participation level of social partners: The agency works in close collaboration with the relevant partners in industry, the professions, education and training.¹⁰

Social partners: One of the most crucial factors for the successful operationalisation of the new vision for technical and vocational education and training (TVET) is support from industry and commerce. This support is imperative in light of the present mismatch between TVET being provided and the needs of the labour market. In light of this, NTA has been actively seeking the support of key stakeholders to ensure that TVET qualifications or TTNVQs, are employment-driven. NTA has successfully garnered support from:

• Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce;
• South Trinidad Chamber of Industry and Commerce;
• The Greater Chaguanas Chamber of Commerce;
• Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers' Association;
• Employers' Consultative Association.

Overwhelming co-operation has also been given to NTA by members of:

• The Industry Training Organisations (ITOs): groups of industry representatives who work together to define training needs and establish standards for their occupation or sector. ITOs are crucial to promoting employers' investment in people, as pivotal to improved business performance. Their existence provides a forum for the exchange of views between key sectors and Government, on national TVET issues.

The Specific Occupational Advisory Committees (SOACs): groups of stakeholders from the private and public sectors who perform functions related to occupational training, assessment and certification. SOAC members, therefore, have a common purpose and shared vision in informing TVET curriculum. The main purpose of these committees is to ensure that a modern national framework of competency-based qualifications is established in keeping with national occupational standards. The work of the ITOs, that is, the determination of occupational standards, inform the curriculum which the SOAC members formulate.¹¹

Trinidad and Tobago has started its NVQ system (TTNVQ) in 2001 has up to now four main Industry Training Organizations (ITOs) which are greatly involved in standard setting: Air-conditioning & Refrigeration; Food and Beverage; Energy Industry; and Tourism & Hospitality. Each ITO has established occupational standards related to its own industry. For example, the Tourism and Hospitality ITO has been developing occupational standards in areas such as tour guiding, recreational diving and housekeeping.

Review and upgrading of standards

In Trinidad and Tobago, its occupational standards are also reconsidered on a regular basis and updated through consultation with employers, training providers, labour organizations and professional and trade associations.

The accreditation of training programmes and providers in Trinidad and Tobago is also run by the national authority, the National Training Agency (NTA).

Definition:

Assessment is the process used for determining an individual’s progress or level of mastery or competence in an occupational area. Assessment includes a wide variety of methods such as written tests, examinations, practical tests, assignments and oral tests. The assessment process may be formative (continuous) and/or summative (final).

Candidates can be assessed under actual workplace conditions and there is more emphasis on competency-based assessment. A person appointed by an approved center assess an individuals’ evidence against the requirements of a vocational qualification. An approved center is an organisation approved to assess and verify qualifications and they are mainly places of employment or providers of vocational education and training such as tertiary colleges.

Trinidad and Tobago is the first Caribbean country to include a quality assurance system to support the introduction of TTNVQs. Quality assurance ensures a consistent approach to monitoring and maintaining the quality of performance (i.e. ISO 9000). Quality assurance is largely dependent upon the internal and external verification process. External verifier is a person appointed by awarding bodies to monitor the work of approved centres and ensure the consistency and quality of local assessments. Internal verifier is a person appointed by the approved centre to ensure consistency and quality of assessment in the centre.

Accreditation of training providers

One of the National Training Agency's functions is to approve or accredit technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programmes and providers in accordance with established standards and criteria. Such an exercise is vital to developing and maintaining quality in the TVET system. It also gives employers and individuals the assurance of an institution's value and credibility.

The NTA is committed to working together with all TVET providers to ensure that their programme/centre meets the highest quality and standards.

Accreditation of training programme/centre involves the evaluation of institution's facilities and programmes against established standards and criteria. This evaluation determines programme's/centre's capability to meet the minimum requirements of these standards and criteria.

Impacts and Achievements

Since April 2001, TTNVQ has covered following industries: Fabricating, Fitting, Food and beverage services, Industrial instrumentation, Information technology, Process operators and Welding.

Contacts

National Training Agency
Contact Department and address:
National Training Agency
Orchard View Plaza, 115 Endeavour Road, Chaguanas, Trinidad and Tobago
Tel: (868) 672-7107-8
Fax: (868) 672-7109**
E-mail:
ntatt@tstt.net.tt

Ministry affiliation:
Ministry of Training and Distance Learning

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