National Qualifications Centre

Vocational Education and Training Award Council

United Arab Emirates

2014

Document Title Version Date Owner

VETAC Classification System of Awarding Bodies 1 June 2014 NQC/VETAC

VETAC CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM OF

AWARDING BODIES

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1. SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES OF AWARDING

BODIES

1.1 Delegation of selected VETAC functions to Awarding Bodies

The Vocational Education and Training Awards Council (VETAC) is an ‘operational body’ of the National

Qualification Authority (NQC) specifically set up to manage, coordinate and quality assure the quality

of outcomes of UAE’s vocational education and training (VET) sector. This role involves setting and

maintaining standards for the development, administration, registration, endorsement and delivery of

national vocational qualifications and awards written by or on behalf of industry.

Functions of VETAC include:

establishing a comprehensive strategy for vocational education and technical and professional

training in the country

building a system for quality assuring, assessing and accrediting vocational, technical and

professional education and training providers, qualifications and assessors

ensuring nationally-endorsed qualifications and awards are only delivered by Registered Training

Providers (RTPs) which are held accountable for the quality and standards of the regulated

qualifications and awards they offer

establishing criteria for vocational qualifications to link their outcomes with labour market needs

developing and maintaining policies, processes and procedures, in consultation with local and

federal educational authorities

establishing, recognising and coordinating Sector Advisory Committees (SACs)

endorsing and managing the issuance of qualifications based on national occupational skills

standards (NOSS) and aligned with the QFEmirates

developing a national registration database for vocational qualifications

developing a strategy for assessing, awarding and issuing equivalencies for vocational qualifications

in the country in accordance with QFEmirates levels

facilitating research and the development of labour market strategies related to improvements in

labour productivity and opportunities for Emiratisation of priority occupations

raising awareness and public confidence in the range and benefits of national vocational

qualifications and awards.

VETAC will delegate the functions of the development and issuing of qualifications/awards as well

as the registration of training providers to Awarding Bodies.

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1.2 Definition of an Awarding Body

An Awarding Body is an entity, entitled through legislation or other formal mandate, to authorise under

its remit, the development and issuing of qualifications that formally recognises the achievements of a

given parcel of endorsed learning outcomes. Through the Awarding Bodies, VETAC regulates and

controls the writing and registration of qualifications and awards that are:

written to meet local industry standards

written in response to a government directive

adopted, adapted and contextualised with approval from international Awarding Bodies for local

use

submitted by an Awarding Body to confirm alignment to the UAE National Qualifications

Framework, the QFEmirates.

Note: Developers of qualifications and awards are required to use VETAC’s Q+NOSS System Guidelines.

VETAC also approves Awarding Bodies to administer and deliver qualifications and awards through

Registered Training Providers (RTPs). Therefore, Awarding Bodies can approve organisations that fulfill

all of VETAC’s requirements to become a Registered Training Provider, to deliver qualifications and

awards.

An Awarding Body may be:

a new Awarding Body being established

an existing Awarding Body being introduced into the UAE.

An Awarding Body can represent:

an Industrial Skills Sector

one skill of a Skills Sector

a Government Ministry/entity

a semi-Government entity

a private entity e.g. an enterprise/company

a Foreign Awarding Body.

An Awarding Body cannot be:

free zone companies

consultancy companies

Registered Training Providers

entities not accessible to VETAC or owners that are Awarding Bodies’ staff.

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1.3 Roles and Responsibilities Awarding Bodies

The role of Awarding Bodies is to:

obtain and maintain Awarding Body status from VETAC to operate within the UAE

follow the guidelines and principles of good practice for Awarding Bodies and comply with all

requirements

uphold VETAC standards for the administration and delivery of qualifications.

Awarding Bodies are responsible for:

operating legally and ethically in the design, development, delivery, assessment, and internal

verification of qualification processes and delivery

following the standards for qualifications and issuance of certification for fair and equitable services

to learners

reliably and consistently operating the administration and delivery of qualifications by Registered

Training Providers for integrity of certificates awarded and issued by all stakeholders within the

qualification process

working with VETAC in producing policies, procedures and processes for stakeholder use in the

qualification process.

Only qualifications and awards registered in the NQC’s Qualifications Register and Information System

(QRIS) can be offered as an official qualification or award by an Awarding Body. Awarding Bodies with

their own suite of qualifications/awards must adapt, adopt and contextualise their qualifications/ awards

for the UAE market and receive prior approval from VETAC to offer them.

The qualifications offered by the Awarding Body will be clustered into families of qualifications approved

in advance by VETAC and guided by the following representation:

One or more specialised skills sector

One or more government sectors

One or more public education establishments

Private entity representing any of the above

Awarding Bodies wishing to offer their own qualifications must follow the guidelines for the NQC System

for Registration and Quality Assurance of Training Providers and Qualifications.

Awarding Bodies cannot delegate their responsibilities to persons or entities.

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2. CONDITIONS OF RECOGNITION FOR AWARDING

BODIES

The Vocational Education and Training Awards Council (VETAC) recognises Awarding Bodies, the terms

and conditions for which are detailed in the following conditions of recognition.

2.1 Eligibility

An Awarding Body can represent:

an Industrial Skills Sector

one skill of a Skills Sector

a Government Ministry/entity

a semi-Government entity

a private entity e.g. an enterprise/company

a Foreign Awarding Body.

Awarding Bodies cannot be:

free zone companies

consultancy companies

Registered Training Providers (RTP)

entities not accessible to VETAC or owners that are Awarding Bodies’ staff.

2.2 Governance

Entities applying for Awarding Body status must complete the Awarding Body Application Form

(Appendix 1). Entities must demonstrate:

compliance with all VETAC requirements for Awarding Bodies Approved Status

Registered Awarding Bodies Approved Status has not been delegated or sold to other entities or

persons

owners, sponsors and staff of Awarding Bodies are persons of standing within the community and

perform their duties in accordance with the VETAC System of Awarding Bodies

local UAE offices and representation

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a stated vision, mission and values that promotes legal and ethical behaviour in all interactions

anticipation and response to changes in workforce skills, and seek qualifications that meet future

skills demands

an ability to operate the administration of qualifications in English language

provision of adequate finance and established effective financial systems with verified risk

assessment mechanisms to maintain budgets, revenues and expenditures to run the entity

effectively

recruitment of qualified, industry experienced professional staff, to create a workforce culture that

delivers consistently positive experiences for learners and stakeholders that fosters their

engagement

an environment and culture of organisational performance improvement

continued two way communication with stakeholders, to analyse feedback and findings and

respond proactively

advertising and promotion of only VETAC regulated qualifications and awards that are aligned

and/or endorsed to the national qualifications framework for the UAE, the QFEmirates. Other

qualifications that are not aligned and endorsed should not be advertised as VETAC-endorsed

qualifications and awards.

In addition, the Awarding Body must demonstrate:

all regulated NQC qualifications are issued from the NQC’s Qualifications Register and Information

System (QRIS)

provision of agreed Awarding Bodies’ logos for official use on qualifications

analyses of learner achievement in the number, name, type and level of qualifications issued

maintained confidentiality of all information and documentation

maintained records of Claims for Certification for a period of five (5) years

use of the NQC/VETAC web site, data entry and database in association with all registration and

certification requirements.

2.3 Change of governance

Changes in governance, senior staff or key personnel must be notified to the Vocational Education and

Training Awards Council (VETAC) within one (1) month of the changes occurring to re-establish Awarding

Bodies’ status.

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2.4 Conflict of interest

Awarding Bodies are the regulators of entities delivering their qualifications and should not enter into

situations that would lead to a conflict of interest with stakeholders.

Where conflict of interest is perceived a written appeal must be submitted for consideration to

VETAC within seven (7) days of the conflict occurring.

Awarding Bodies will have not more than fourteen (14) days from receipt of the written appeal to

respond.

If complaint of conflict is valid, the Awarding Body will have not more than twenty one (21) days

from the receipt of the written appeal to offer a resolution and submit to VETAC.

If the resolution is acceptable, the Awarding Body will be given a close-out period not more than

twenty eight (28) days from the receipt of the written appeal for completion of the resolution.

If the Awarding Body cannot offer a resolution agreeable to both parties then VETAC will determine

the solution and timeframe with no appeal option being granted against the resolution.

2.5 Resources

Awarding Bodies should have sufficient resources to conduct the requirements for administering and

delivering the qualification process efficiently and effectively. Awarding Bodies are to:

have a full-time staff member working for and on behalf of the Awarding Bodies who has an

Awarding Body work permit and visa

nominate and name one person as the responsible person to make accurate statements for and on

behalf of the Awarding Body

nominate and name one person as the responsible person for the qualifications administration

process

nominate and name one person as the responsible person to oversee the qualifications delivery

process

demonstrate control of all administrative processes and data collection in soft copy and send VETAC

a report on a monthly basis including a list of certificate claims

produce, complete and submit the Annual Statement of Return of all registrations and certifications

to the Vocational Education and Training Awards Council (VETAC) by 1st January

produce reports for the provision of data or information returned within the specified return date.

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2.6 Corporate branding

Awarding Bodies must demonstrate corporate branding and marketing of qualifications and services

offered and should prominently display its Awarding Body Approved Status and the National

Qualification Centre (NQC) qualifications and awards.

2.7 Identification and management of risk and adversity

Awarding Bodies must have a risk management policy and demonstrate:

results of identification of risks within their own quality processes

actions to reduce risk must be identified and evidenced

any adverse effects of risk or fraudulent practice affecting learners should be notified to VETAC

immediately.

VETAC will identify and agree steps for solutions to resolution of risk.

2.8 Malpractice and maladministration

All Awarding Bodies must:

take all reasonable steps to avoid malpractice or maladministration in the qualifications process

and state their practices in their Risk Management Policy document

report suspected malpractice or maladministration in the qualifications process immediately to

VETAC stating the conditions and the steps being taken in the investigative process

follow the steps agreed for resolution set out by VETAC for malpractice or maladministration in

the qualifications process.

2.9 Qualifications offered by Awarding Bodies

Awarding Bodies must grant approval to each RTP to administer and deliver the qualification process.

Awarding Bodies must approve any satellite centers of RTPs and all satellite centres must follow the

conditions of Awarding Bodies.

Qualifications offered by RTPs must be:

in demand and meet workforce demand

fit for purpose

valid, reliable, comparable, manageable and minimises bias

accessible to all, where reasonably possible.

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Awarding Bodies must:

demonstrate capacity and offer qualifications within a genre subject area

offer suites of vertical and horizontal qualifications within genre subject areas

publish unit and qualification titles and standards as they are registered on NQC’s Qualifications

Register and Information System (QRIS)

once approved, not modify or change qualifications and units of qualifications

apply formative and summative assessment requirements for qualifications that are in line with the

assessments in the qualifications and unit standards issued by the NQC’s Qualifications Register

and Information System (QRIS)

publish and offer qualifications and awards, separate to any packaging arrangements

not prevent the learner from completing a qualification due to packaging arrangements.

2.10 Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

All definitions of RPL emphasise the assessment of previously unrecognised skills and knowledge an

individual has achieved outside the formal education and training system. RPL assesses this

unrecognised learning against the requirements of a qualification or award, in respect of both entry

requirements and outcomes to be achieved. By removing the need for duplication of learning, RPL

encourages an individual to continue upgrading their skills and knowledge through structured education

and training towards formal qualifications and improved employment outcomes. It is also acknowledged

that RPL is closely associated with ‘Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)’ defined as the formal

recognition of any previous learning experiences for skills and/or knowledge acquired, regardless of

how, when or where the learning occurred, which is eligible to count towards a qualification.

AS VETAC recognises prior learning, Awarding Bodies will operate RPL based on NQC’s RPL Policy:

RPL candidates must present evidence of their previously unrecognised skills and knowledge

acquired through informal and non-formal learning against the requirements of a qualification. The

currency of this knowledge is to be determined by the RPL assessor who is a content expert in the

field and who will interpret the evidence to make a judgement as to whether the candidate has

met the learning outcomes.

Evidence can take many forms and be gathered from a number of sources. Assessors often

categorise evidence in different ways for example:

direct, indirect and supplementary sources of evidence, or a combination of these

evidence collected by the candidate or evidence collected by the assessor

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historical and recent evidence collected by the candidate and current evidence collected by

the assessor.

Types of evidence include demonstration/observation, products, workplace documents, written and

oral questions, assignments, third party reports, self-assessment, simulation, and portfolios.

Where a qualified Assessor deems all criteria of knowledge, skill and application for a qualification

or an award have been met, a qualification or award can be claimed.

RPL need only be accomplished at one level with all lower levels in the same genre and vertical

stream being considered achieved as part of this accomplishment.

2.11 External verification of qualifications/awards

Awarding Bodies must demonstrate external verification of the qualification administration and

delivery process. Awarding Bodies must provide:

evidence of at least one external verification per year (note: desk-based external verification is not

considered as external verification)

policies, and processes for external verification

qualified personnel to conduct external verification of the administration and delivery qualification

process

processes and procedures to prevent fraudulent claims for certification

stated standards of assessment for assessment practice and standards for verification of the internal

verification processes including special arrangements

arrangements and conditions for assessment and special arrangements for assessment of learners

evidence of not less than twenty-five (25) percent external verification covering one hundred (100)

percent of qualifications, awards, learners and locations, as well as the contribution of Assessors

and Internal Verifier to qualification delivery and administration

external verification sampling of all Claims for Certification

evidence of external verification, during or after the first delivery of any qualification

evidence that all Claims for Certification are made to VETAC within thirty (30) days of completion

of the qualification.

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2.12 External Verifier

The Awarding Body’s External Verifier is responsible for monitoring and evaluating the internal quality

and assessment processes conducted in a Registered Training Provider on behalf of VETAC against the

Quality Assurance Standards for the Registration (QASR) of Training Providers and Standards for the

Quality Audit of Training Providers. This person is also responsible for verifying the eligibility of an

organisation seeking to become an RTP as well as RTPs seeking to renew or change their scope of

registration.

As an independent evaluator, the External Verifier reviews and validates assessments performed within

or across an RTP. Validating assessment tools may also be part of their role.

The External Verifier is also responsible for verifying the registration eligibility of prospective RTP and/or

those registered seeking renewal or a change of scope.

Awarding Bodies’ External Verifiers have five main duties:

Ensuring RTP operations meet VETAC’s standards of operation

Annual site visits to RTPs

External verification conducted in 25% of RTPs portfolios

Remote external verification where learner Claims for Certification are in excess of 1,000

certificates per quarter or thirteen (13) week period.

Provision of advice and guidance to RTPs that is reported and documented.

Awarding Bodies’ External Verifiers must:

be occupational and subject matter experts in their industry sector

be qualified Assessors

be qualified Internal Verifiers

hold an VETAC-endorsed External Verifier Award or a recognised equivalent/foreign award

be knowledgeable and experienced in conducting, managing and moderating/standardising

assessment events and outcomes within the relevant industry sector

have extensive knowledge of the UAE sector.

Awarding Bodies are responsible for:

ensuring External Verifiers are not involved in externally verifying work that they have previously

verified or assessed

requiring External Verifiers to notify the RTP should they be assigned to duties in which they have

a personal involvement and/or a conflict of interest

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ensuring External Verifiers demonstrate competence and current commercial or industrial skills in

the skills sector being externally verified.

See guidelines for the VETAC System for Qualified Assessors, Internal Verifiers and External Verifiers for

information about the:

evidence that an External Verifier must collect

contents of the site visit report

kinds of feedback, advice and support to be provided to an RTP

report and record keeping

professional development activities for staff involved in audits.

2.13 Professional development

Awarding Bodies must conduct professional development workshops and activities to maintain the

currency of skills of staff involved in qualification/award administration and delivery.

2.14 Registered Training Providers Appeals Procedure

Awarding Bodies must operate an appeals procedure. Appeals procedures must be:

published and be viewable by the public

permissible where the published policies and procedures have not been adhered to and

disadvantage has occurred

conducted by personnel with no personal involvement in the qualification process

heard and resolved within the designated deadlines as follows:

Submission of appeal in writing not more than seven (7) days from occurrence of the adverse

decision.

Investigation of the appeal completed in not more than fourteen (14) days from occurrence

of the adverse decision from receipt of the written appeal.

Appeal hearing arranged and heard in not more than twenty-one (21) days from the receipt

of the written appeal.

Outcome of hearing and decision of an appeal informed in not more than twenty-eight (28)

days from the receipt of the written appeal.

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Appeals procedures must address:

investigation into malpractice or maladministration

assessment decisions

internal Verification decisions

external verification decisions

decisions regarding Special Arrangements.

Where appeals procedures lead to the discovery of failure of practice, RTPs must review processes and

procedures to mitigate the effect of failure, rectify failure, and negate learner disadvantage.

2.15 Certification

Registration for qualifications is valid for three (3) years. Registration will expire after three (3) years for

all levels on the national qualifications framework for the UAE (QFEmirates). Reactivation of registration

can only occur if re-registration and fee payment is made.

Claims for Certification can only be made ten (10) weeks after registration for Principal Qualifications.

The RTP is responsible for:

demonstrating the reaching of standards for qualification administration and delivery against the

qualifications and awards for which the learner is registered

signing off Claims for Certification that are correct and authentic, and where all requirements for

the assessment, internal verification, external verification, registration and certificate claim have

been administered in accordance with requirements

safeguarding and protecting against fraudulent, invalid, incorrect or mistaken claims for

certification claims

using a learner’s unique Emirates ID number for registration, certification and all communication

purposes

using qualification/award code numbers in all documentation related to the administration and

delivery of the qualification process

claiming of a certificate for the qualification/award the learner was initially registered for

only submitting for issuance of certificates with the correct qualification/award title and code.

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2.16 Co-badging

Awarding Bodies must seek permission for co-badging arrangements to appear on the qualification/

award certification.

VETAC has co-badging agreements with various authorities that appear on some, but not all

qualifications.

All certification will be issued only with official co-badging partner’s logos where official permission for

co-badging is evidenced.

Awarding Bodies, RTPs nor individuals are permitted to over print official certificates.

2.17 Direct Claims Status

RTPs are not permitted to have Direct Claims Status (DCS) in the first three (3) years of administration

of NQC certification.

2.18 Registered Training Providers Fees

Awarding Bodies’ qualification and award fees will be standardised and capped for all Awarding

Bodies.

Awarding Bodies’ lists of fees must be approved by VETAC prior to Awarding Bodies’ publishing lists of

fees.

Standardised fee lists must be published by Awarding Bodies in full for public accessibility and viewing.

2.19 Packaging of qualifications/awards with other services

Additional fees for additional services must be approved by VETAC prior to use and publication.

Fee lists for qualifications/awards and additional services must be published separately and in full for

public accessibility and viewing.

2.20 Invoicing

RTPs of regulated programme fees for all registration, certification and other service fees will consist of

two parts, VETAC’s fees and the Awarding Bodies’ fees.

The Awarding Bodies will charge the total of the two parts of the fee to the RTPs as per the service

received.

VETAC must agree standardised fees with their approved Awarding Bodies.

RTPs will charge a standardised listed fee to the learner.

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Awarding Bodies will remit VETAC’s portion of the fee, that is, the registration for qualification/award

and certification fee and other services fees will be returned by the Awarding Bodies.

Awarding Bodies, RTP and learner registration fees, once paid to VETAC cannot be refunded.

Issuance of the first certificate is included in the fee.

Re-issued certificates carry an additional fee.

Awarding Bodies must:

use a logical standardised accounts system for the administration of fees

issue invoices and receipts for qualifications separate from packaging services

reimburse to VETAC the proportion of fees allocated for the registration and certification of

qualifications.

2.21 Data collection and access

Awarding Bodies must have in place systems to collect relevant data.

VETAC can request access to data from an Awarding Body at any time.

VETAC will provide a list of data that an Awarding Body must provide to VETAC on a regular basis.

2.22 Renewal of Awarding Body status

An Awarding Body will be approved by VETAC for an initial period of three (3) years and renewed for a

further period of three (3) years.

An Awarding Body must satisfy Awarding Body Criteria for Awarding Bodies.

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3. REGISTERED TRAINING PROVIDERS

VETAC approves Awarding Bodies to administer and deliver qualifications through Registered Training

Providers (RTPs).

A Registered Training Provider (RTP) is an organisation approved by the Vocational Education and Training

Awards Council (VETAC), and in compliance with VETAC standards, to deliver training programs. An RTP can

be a private, semi-government, or a government education entity such as a school, college, institute of

technology, university, adult and community organisation, commercial and enterprise training provider and

an industry body where training is not necessarily their core business.

All organisations seeking to deliver nationally recognised training and/or assessment services in the UAE

must meet VETAC’s Quality Assurance Standards for the Registration (QASR) of Training Providers.

The standards apply to providers seeking to deliver qualifications in the UAE that are:

national VET qualification(s)/award(s) based on national occupational skills standards (referred to

as Q+NOSS) developed by industry and endorsed by VETAC, and/or

VET programs, in particular foreign awards, typically based on other standards adopted from

relevant overseas authorities.

These standards align with the policies, structures, systems and procedures set out in the Qualifications

Framework for the UAE (QFEmirates) Handbook.

NQC’s/VETAC’s approach for the registration of training providers aims to bring mutual benefits:

Learners and prospective learners will have greater confidence in the quality of providers and their

qualification offerings.

Providers will be able to demonstrate official recognition and approval of their organisation by

NQC/VETAC, including the use of relevant logos and prescribed statements, thus attracting

increased numbers of learners.

Regulators and authorities will have knowledge of the range of providers and qualification fields

of training to inform planning and aid the achievement of National and Emirate-based strategic

plans and vision.

On NQC’s/VETAC’s approval, providers, qualifications/awards, and relevant learning pathway(s)

deployed are recorded in NQC’s Qualifications Register and Information System (QRIS) for public access.

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STAGES IN THE REGISTRATION OF TRAINING PROVIDERS

Note: The term “Registered Training Provider” is used interchangeability with the term “Institutional Accreditation”

from the NQC degree.

VETAC regulates RTPs’ activities and is vigilant in action required to maintain practices of RTPs in

compliance with its regulations. VETAC maintains practices of RTPs by:

promoting public confidence in qualifications through maintenance of good regulatory practice

taking action where practice does not meet regulated practices

preventing gain from malpractice or mal administration

deterring practice that does not meet regulated practice.

Where a breach of regulatory practice occurs, VETAC operates and applies equitable and fair

procedures to all RTPs and considers the following:

Previous compliance records

Breach was self-identified

Breach was identified by VETAC

Cooperation in undertaking action in order to meet regulatory practice

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3.1 Initial Registration

As a starting point in VETAC’s quality assurance process for organisations seeking to deliver vocational

education and training in the UAE, there is a need for a comprehensive inventory of these organisations

and the training fields which they offer, or plan to offer, VET qualifications and awards. The process of

Initial Registration is designed to capture the requisite information on the fields and level of training,

and to ensure that National and local Emirate legal requirements have been satisfied. VETAC will then

list successful applicants as a “training provider” in a directory within the Qualifications Register

Information System (QRIS).

Organisations seeking Initial Registration must hold a commercial license as determined by the

Department of Economic Development’s categories for the provision of training and local Emirate

authorities. VETAC will then verify that the organisation is legitimate, commercially sound, and has

appropriate governance arrangements in place.

VETAC will have the responsibility for Initial Registration of all training providers and for providing

publically available information on the registration status of providers through the NQC website. Where

registration is also required at a local Emirate level, or through Awarding Bodies, the data will be

forwarded to VETAC for inclusion in the central database.

3.2 Full Registration

The standards-based process for Full Registration to become a “Registered Training Provider” (RTP)

ensures that the necessary infrastructure is in place for monitoring and reporting on the performance of

the provider, which will lead to the delivery of qualifications and awards that meet workforce needs.

For an organisation to be granted “Registered Training Provider” (RTP) status to deliver training and/or

assessment services under its scope of registration, an organisation is required to demonstrate that it:

has integrity, is properly resourced and well managed

has systems and procedures in place to deliver such services in an effective, appropriate, legal,

transparent and fair manner

can deploy its services effectively and proficiently, and produce the quality of outcomes required

of selected VETAC endorsed qualifications/awards or registered programs, in particular foreign

awards, as per its scope of registration.

Organisations seeking to deliver their existing VET programs based on other standards adopted from

relevant authorities such as foreign Awarding Bodies must also apply for Full Registration through an

Awarding Body or directly through VETAC in the absence of an Awarding Body. Before applying for

registration to deliver a foreign award(s), providers must submit an Equivalency Application Form in

order for VETAC to determine whether the award(s) is good quality and fit for purpose in the UAE (see

Foreign Awards Equivalency Standards).

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As the federal VET regulatory authority, VETAC is responsible for providing

publically available information on the status of registration through the

NQC website. As with Initial Registration, where Full Registration is also

required at a local Emirate level or through Awarding Bodies, and in cases

where the quality criteria are all met, the registration data will be forwarded

to the central database to avoid duplication of processes.

3.3 Endorsed national qualifications/awards

An organisation may seek to offer VETAC-endorsed national vocational

qualifications and awards based on National Occupational Skills Standards

(Q+NOSS), which are industry-determined and industry sector-based.

These qualifications and awards:

provide details of what people are able to do and with the ability to do this in a range

of contexts

emphasise outcomes and the application of skills and knowledge

and aspects of competence, not just their specification

are developed in the UAE by Recognised National Development

Committees (RNDCs) and Sector Advisory Committees in close

consultation with industry.

Organisations must first apply for Initial and Full Registration and satisfy the

quality criteria for Full Registration. The ‘Scope of Registration’ defined in

the registration details will indicate the intent to deliver national

qualifications/awards based on National Occupational Skills Standards

(Q+NOSS) and/or nationally-recognised Foreign Awards.

The Awarding Body or VETAC in the absence of an Awarding Body will carry

out a compliance audit to ensure that training providers have fully satisfied

the criteria for registration and are suitably resourced to offer the selected

national qualifications/awards (Q+NOSS). The regulatory mechanism will

ensure that appropriate qualifications are provided in locations that best

serve the needs of industry and the demands of learners.

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3.4 Renewing registration

NQC and VETAC require providers seeking to renew its status as a

Registered Training Provider to abide by standards set out in the:

Quality Assurance Standards for the Registration (QASR) of

Training Providers (see Section 2.3 Renewing registration)

Standards for the Quality Audit of Training Providers (which involves

RTPs preparing a Self- Assessment Report).

VETAC grants registration to a Registered Training Provider for a period of up to three (3)

years.

A Registered Training Provider must apply for registration renewal in

accordance with the QASR six (6) months before its registration lapses