Nepal Vocational Qualifications System (NVQS)

While Nepal's constitution highlights employment as a fundamental right, unempoyment remains a pervasive problem. Out of the country's total labour force of 7.99 million, nearly 1 million is without job, whereas 39.3% of the employed labour force is underemployed. In addition, at least 500,000 young people enter the labour market every year. Many of them either do not find appropriate jobs or are lowpaid, which forces young people to migrate overseas in search for work and higher income. One of the main reasons for the persistent unemployment and underemployment is the lack of appropriate skills and competencies of the work force which in turns leads to low productivity of the work force.

Nepal recognizes the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system as a crucial instrument to achieve the goal of economic prosperity.

The proposed phase continues the TVET sector reform in line with the new constitution of Nepal by supporting the government of Nepal to finalize and implement a Nepal Vocational Qualifications System at federal level with respective functions at province and local levels.

Outcome 1: Certified Nepali youth, through Nepal Vocational Qualifications System, gain employment in domestic and international markets.

Outcome 2: The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology implements the national vocational qualification system in partnership with the private sector.

Outcome 3: Provincial governments implement the vocational qualification system.

Expected results:  

Output 1.1: Nepali youth are knowledgeable of the application process and the benefits of the Vocational Qualification system

Output 1.2: Employers are aware of the benefits of Nepal Vocational Qualifications System certification

Output 2.1: Human resources in the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and in the private sector are capacitated to implement National Vocational Qualifications Framework at federal level

Output 2.2: New NVQS standards are drafted or current National Skill Testing Board standard are upgraded and adapted to align with the Vocational Qualification System (VQS) and private sector needs

Output 3.1: Accredited assessment centres offer quality assessment services

Output 3.2: Ministry of Social Development and private sector actors in the province build their capacities to implement VQ system at province level

Output 3.3: Municipalities establish a TVET Coordination mechanism to implement the Vocational Qualification system

Results from previous phases:  

NVQS phase I contributed to develop and strengthen the Technical and Vocational Education and Training system by achieving following results:

• National Competency Standards has been developed and 63,502 youth were certified accordingly. Out of these, 12,911 were certified at higher level skills enabling them to earn better wages.
• A Recognition of Prior Learning system has been developed and 467 returnee migrant workers were certified, enabling them to re-enter to the labour market and earn their livings.
• An accreditation system has been developed and 38 skill assessment centres were accredited to ensure quality of assessments.
• The Government of Nepal has been supported to finalize the National Vocational Qualifications Framework, ensuring the recognition of skills and competencies, and open pathways for lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and the Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training/ National Skill Testing Board at Federal level and Ministry of Social Development at Province level are the main institutional partners.

Swisscontact is the international Technical Assistance service provider which has been mandated for the first phase through a two-stage public tender process. Swisscontact will continue the implementation of the mandate for the second phase of the project.