Goal

To achieve systemic changes in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system that will enable women and men including disadvantaged groups to get access to increased employment and self-employment and to perform at higher productivity levels.

Target groups

The primary target group includes the learners, job seekers and workers. Besides them, employers and small businesses, training providers (non-formal TVET sector), training companies (on-the-job training, apprenticeship), and the staff of the emerging NVQA themselves are the secondary beneficiaries.

Budget CHF 4.736 million

Geographic focus Counrty-wide

Implementing agency Swisscontact

Time Frame 01.09.2015 - 15.07.2019

SummaryIn Nepal, 500’000 youths enter the labour market yearly but remain un- or underemployed. The project will support the Ministry of Education to establish a National Vocational Qualifications Framework and a corresponding NVQ Authority to manage it. Learners and workers, especially from disadvantaged groups, will benefit from an improved vocational training qualification and skills certification system, thus increasing their chances for sustainable and decent employment.

Outcomes expected• National Skills Testing Board (NSTB)

successfully manages the emerging Vocational Qualifications Frameworks (VQF) and is prepared for its transformation into a NVQA.

• Nepalese youths, especially from the disadvantaged groups, are better employable in the labour market or in self-employment.

MANY YOUTH WORK AS UNSKILLED LABOURERS, REMAIN UN OR UNDER EMPLOYED OR CHOOSE TO MIGRATE DUE TO ABSENCE OF FORMAL VOCATIONAL TRAINING.

Nepal Vocational Qualifications System (NVQS)

BackgroundEvery year 500’000 youths enter the labour market, 80% of whom are unskilled, have not finished high school and are thus denied equal opportunities in the employment system. In the absence of available formal vocational training, many youths work as unskilled labourers, remain un- or underemployed or choose to migrate for better employment. Those who are employed acquire skills through informal training beforehand or on the job. Against this background, skills testing offers candidates an assessment and official certification of competencies, irrespective of where and how these competencies were gained.

Through the NSTB, a system of vocational qualifications is emerging. The TVET) Policy approved in 2012 now stipulates the establishment of a National Vocational Qualifications Framework (NVQF) and the transformation of the NSTB into a NVQA to manage it.

Outputs• NSTB’s services and outreach are improved.• A comprehensive NVQF with the TVET pathways in two sectors

is put into practice.• Transformation of NSTB into NVQA designed and initiated.• Youths benefit from the newly established and nationally

recognized Vocational Qualifications Framework.• Youths working in the informal sector benefit from the system

of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).• Migrant returnees benefit from the system of RPL.

CONTACTUsha BhandariSenior Programme Officer

JawalakhelTel: ++977-1-5524927Fax: ++ 977-1-5525358kathmandu@eda.admin.ch