Update on the regulations of the TVET Sector in the UAE

and Dubai

Dr. Naji AlMahdi

Chief of Qualifications and Awards in Dubai (QAD)

www.khda.gov.ae27/05/2015 1

TVET Regulations Landscape

La

UAE Vision

Dub

ai P

lan

KHDA Vision

QAD

Industry needs

Eco

nom

ic n

eeds

Learners need

Social needs

TVET providers

International Awarding

organisations

Acc

redi

tatio

n B

odie

s

Qualifications

For Dubai RTVETPFor Abu Dhabi &

Northern Emirates RTVETP

KHDA(AB)

ACTVET(AB)

Board

NQAVETAC

Level Generic name

Vocational education and

trainingHigher education General education

10 Doctoral degree Doctoral

9 Master degree (Applied) Master Master

8 Graduate Diploma Applied Graduate Diploma

Post Graduate Diploma

7 Bachelor degree (Applied) Bachelor Bachelor

6 Higher Diploma Advanced Diploma Higher Diploma

5 Diploma / Associate Degree Diploma Associate Degree

4 Certificate Certificate 4 Secondary School Certificate (G 12)

3 Certificate Certificate 3 TBA

2 Certificate Certificate 2

1 Certificate Certificate 1

Authority to determine qualification requirements VETAC CAA (MOHESR) MOE

Lifelong Learning

Rec

ogni

tion

of P

rior L

earn

ing

(RPL

)

The National Qualifications Framework (QFEmirates)

• Level descriptors are learning outcome statements for each level, that are defined in terms of 5 strands

Knowledge SkillsAspects of competence

Autonomy and responsibility Role in context Self-development

comprehensive, specialised knowledge within a broad field of work or discipline, including an understanding of the underlying theoretical and abstract concepts with significant depth in some areas

a broad understanding of allied knowledge and theories in related fields of work or disciplines including related regulations, standards, codes, conventions and procedures

technical, creative and conceptual skills appropriate to solving a wide-range of problems associated with a field of work or discipline that include a comprehensive range of specialist cognitive and practical skills appropriate to diagnosing and implementing solutions to abstract, familiar and non-routine problems within a field of work or discipline

use of appropriate information retrieval methods and tools and techniques associated with the field of work or discipline

can take responsibility for coordinating the implementation of appropriate approaches to complex work procedures and processes, resources or learning, including leading teams within a technical or para-professional activity

can express an internalised, personal world view, in the context of an understanding of socio-cultural relationships

can function with autonomy in technical and coordination contexts and support paraprofessional roles under guidance

can function both independently and in a coordination role with multiple groups

can take responsibility for coordinating the development of individuals and groups

can evaluate own learning and identify learning needs in a familiar environment

can take responsibility for and plan own learning within a managed and non-routine environment

can comprehend and observe ethical standards

EXAMPLE: Descriptor for QFEmirates Level 5

Level Descriptors

Type of Qualifications

Unit Award

Unit Award

Principal Qualifications Credit Matrix

Composite Awards and Component Awards Credit Matrix

Classifications of Approved Qualifications• Credit-bearing qualifications that are regulated and are placed on the

national qualification framework of the UAE (QFEmirates)

–National Qualifications• Qualifications based on National Occupational Skills Standards (Q+NOSS)

that specify competent performance expected in employment.

–Nationally Recognised Qualification• Qualifications based on the industry needs that specify competent

performance expected in employment.

–Internationally Accredited Qualification• recognized to a QFEmirates level in the UAE

Qualifications and Awards in Dubai

On 15th April, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority

(KHDA) launched the Qualifications and Awards in Dubai (QAD)

to regulate technical and vocational education (TVET) sector and

to undertake as part of its mandate, the role of an Awarding Body

in Dubai.

Qualification and Awards in Dubai (QAD)

Excellence in technical and vocational qualifications to support economic and social development in Dubai

To ensure learners accessibility to relevant and quality assured technical and vocational education and training (TVET) that has been developed through on-going engagement with TVET stakeholders.

QAD Vision

QAD Mission

Functions of Qualifications and Awards in Dubai• Regulate TVET providers and international awarding organisations• Implement KHDA and VETAC standards and regulations • Oversee the development of National Occupational Skills Standards

(NOSS) and qualifications• Enabling industry to develop qualifications that are fit for their purpose• Coordinate with VETAC for the accreditation of qualifications and

standards• Quality assure TVET provision and qualifications• Regulate the practice of TVET trainers, assessors and verifiers• Issue certifications for learners completing approved qualifications• Issue statements of recognition for holders of international

qualifications• Maintain database for all TVET providers and learners

How does a provider apply to offer accredited TVET Qualifications?

What does a provider need to have to offer Accredited TVET Qualifications?

• a clear and comprehensive business plan

• a valid commercial license and/or relevant authorities’ approvals

• initial registration status from the NQA registration

• appropriate provisions to support the qualifications to be offered

• clear management structure, policies and procedures

• approved national or international qualifications

• licensed instructors, assessors and verifiers

What does a provider need to have to offer Accredited TVET Qualifications?

• a self-assessment report of the applicant’s compliance against the NQA Quality Assurance Standards for Registration of Training Providers (QASR) criteria.

• details of each approved qualification – unit standards details, learning programme (curriculum / content), sample course material, sample assessments, assessment plan

• an educational service permit to offer TVET qualifications

• NQA registration for NQA registered training provider (RTP) status

Requirements for the Awarding Organisations to offer International Qualifications

1. Documents providing that they are approved awarding body in the country of origin

2. Copy of the framework they work with including description

3. Details of submitted qualification for recognitioni. Qualification detailsii. Level and size of the qualificationiii. Level descriptorsiv. Evidence of placement or endorsement on their framework such as letter,

statementv. Evidence of authentication of the information providedvi. Requested level of the QFEmirates

4. Details of center approval process

5. Details of the process approving center to deliver the qualification

6. Details of Quality Assurance process

7. Details of learner registration process

8. Details of certification process

9. Details of security features of the certificates

Requirements for the Awarding Organisations to offer International Qualifications

10. A letter of commitment of full cooperation with UAE awarding bodies on:i. Providing updates on changes in the qualificationii. Providing information on the status of their centeriii. Providing quality assurance report to the relevant UAE relevant awarding

bodyiv. Providing confirmation on the authenticity of the certificatev. Any complaint received about the centervi. Any new qualifications they are intending to offervii. Inform UAE awarding bodies of any changes in any of the above

What are the requirements for the Awarding Bodies for the recognition of International Qualifications?

Essential Conditions of Eligibility:

• Vocational qualifications with an emphasis on the skills, competencies and underpinning knowledge required by employers in industry and/or commerce.

• Vocational qualifications developed in close consultation with industrial representatives.

• Qualifications accredited/endorsed by professional bodies, vocational awarding bodies, or trade associations in the countries where the qualifications were awarded.

Conditions of eligibility for qualifications to be considered for Recognition

Conditions of eligibility for qualifications to be considered for Recognition

In most cases it is expected that the following conditions will apply:

• Qualifications are based on occupational standards related to specific job roles at a range of levels.

• Qualifications are at a defined level within the National Qualifications Framework of the country of origin.

• Professional qualifications awarded by associations and chartered institutes that are known to be recognised by the relevant employment sectors in the United Arab Emirates.

Mapping of Pearson’s BTEC QualificationQAD’s Nationally Recognised Qualifications (NRQ) has been mapped to Pearson’s BTEC Qualifications.Example:• Certificate 4 in Business has been mapped to BTEC Extended

Diploma in Business • Diploma in Business has been mapped to HNC in Business

• Advanced Diploma in Business is mapped to HND in Business

Quality Assured Training Programmes

• Quality assured training programmes are non-credit bearing programmes that are designed, delivered and assessed by a training provider in accordance to their own needs and standards.

• They are not formally aligned to the National Qualification Framework (QFEmirates) and are not placed on any level within the framework.

• These programmes can be quality assured by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) through Qualifications and Awards in Dubai (QAD) to provide a third party assurance for the integrity of delivery and assessments of the programmes.

Advantages of offering Quality Assured Training Programmes

• Obtaining a seal of approval for the quality of the programmes

• Enhancing competitiveness of training programmes• Assuring employers and learners of the integrity of the programmes• Getting certification issued by KHDA• Obtaining valuable advice from QAD on continuous development of

the programmes

How does a provider apply to offer Quality Assured Training Programmes?

What does a provider need to have to offer quality assured training programmes?

• A valid commercial license and/or relevant authorities’ approvals

• Any educational service permit approved by KHDA to offer training programmes

• Appropriate provisions to support the training programmes being offered

• Clear management structure, policies and procedures

• QAD approved training programmes

• Quality Assured Training Provider (QATP) status

Licensing of Instructors

A TVET instructor license will qualify you to teach in TVET settings.

The license is portable and may be held by the individual licensee to

teach accredited TVET qualifications at licensed TVET institutions. To

become a licensed instructor, you should:

• hold a recognized teaching or training qualification from recognized institution

• have adequate teaching experience

• be occupationally competent in the specialist field

Licensing of AssessorsA TVET assessor license will qualify you to teach and assess learners in TVET settings. The license is portable and may be held by the individual licensee to assess accredited TVET qualifications at licensed TVET institutions. To become a licensed assessor, you should:

• be registered with a registered technical and vocational education and training provider (RTVETP).

• hold the NQA Assessor Award or equivalent recognized foreign award or must be registered as “Working Towards Assessor” status.

• be vocationally and occupationally competent in the specialist field

• be a qualified instructor

Licensing of VerifiersA TVET internal verifier license will qualify you to conduct internal verification of the assessment process in TVET settings. To become a licensed internal verifier, you should:

• be registered with a registered technical and vocational education and training provider

• hold the VETAC endorsed Internal Verifier Award or equivalent recognized foreign award

• be vocationally and occupationally competent in the specialist field• have at least five (5) years’ vocational and/or occupational experience• be a qualified instructor and Assessors • have very good knowledge of the UAE sector.

Upcoming Developments

• Teachers Standards and Licensing

• TVET Law

• Equivalency of BTEC programmes at schools

• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Questions and Answers

www.khda.gov.ae

Thank you

www.khda.gov.ae27/05/2015 30