The Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC) implemented the first phase of the Consultancy Program on Developing National Competency Standards and Competency Assessment Tools for NVQS Nepal from June 19 to 30, 2023 in CPSC, Manila, Philippines. In collaboration with the Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT) Nepal, and the National Skills Testing Board (NSTB) with technical assistance from the Switzerland Foundation for International Cooperation (Swisscontact), the two-week training program was attended by a total of eleven (11) Competency Standards (CS) Facilitators and Content Developers from various TVET sectors in Nepal selected by CTEVT/NSTB.
The program was primarily designed to support the long term development of Nepal’s National Vocational Qualifications System (NVQS) through the NVQS-Project between the Governments of Nepal and Switzerland. This project aims to strengthen the capacity of existing and potential CS designers and facilitators of the vocational qualifications system within Nepal TVET institutions.
The program was also designed to be implemented into two phases: (1) July 19-30, 2023 (face-to-face); and (2) July 3 - August 4, 2023 (online). The first phase will focus on providing the trainees with enough understanding on the roles and functions of NVQS; understanding how CS have developed based on the experiences and procedures of different countries especially with the TESDA Philippines practices; and overview of sector wise functional analysis. The second phase will focus on the completion of the development of the CS per sector as devised by the participants in compliance with the requirements of CTEVT and NSTB Nepal.
Supervising the program was CPSC Director General, Prof. G.L.D. Wickramasinghe. International TVET Adviser and former CPSC Faculty Specialist, Ms. Therese Tan Lee and CPSC Senior Faculty Specialist Engr. Dr. Mian Khuram Ahsan served as Program Coordinator and Co-Coordinator, respectively.
The program has also engaged several resource persons from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) who provided their expertise and knowledge. These resource persons include: National Institute for Technical Education and Skills Development Curriculum and Training Aids Development Division (CTADD - NITESD) Chief TESD Specialist, Mr. Edward M. Dela Rosa; Competency Assessment Division Assistant Executive Director, Ms. Janet M. Abasolo; Competency Programs and Systems Development Division Chief, Ms. Mercedes Javier; and Senior TESD Specialist, Mr. Edwin Maglalang.
During his welcome remarks at the opening ceremony, CPSC Director General Prof. Wickramasinghe offered his continued support to the NSTB and CTEVT Nepal as one of CPSC’s stakeholders and member countries. He wished the participants good luck and extended his assistance on behalf of the staff for the duration of the training. Moreover, Process Manager for NVQS Nepal, Mr. Chuman Babu Shrestha expressed his appreciation to CPSC for their hospitality in accommodating the participants and their hard work in organizing and preparing for the program in the last few weeks.
The program schedule incorporated both lectures and workshop sessions that allowed the participants to actively interact with each other and with the engaged resource persons. Topics include: Recognition of Prior Learning Based on International Practices; Labor Market Information and Analysis of Sector/Occupation Needs; Credit and Credit Transfer System in the Philippines; Formulating NCS Based on International Practices; Developing CS Based on the NVQS Process Guide; Validating and Evaluating CS; Overview of the Guidelines and Process Guide in Developing Competency Assessment Package/Tools (CAP/Ts); Developing Table of Specifications for Written or Knowledge Test; and Item Analysis for Written Test - among others.
The participants were also immersed with lectures delivered by experts and officers of TESDA Philippines. Some of the key themes that were shared to the trainees include: Overview of the Functions of TESDA Qualification and Standard Office; Functions of the TESDA Competency Assessment and Certification Office; Recognition of Prior Learning based on TESDA Practices; Functional Analysis of TESDA Procedures; Understanding Evidence Gathering Method and Tools Based on TESDA Practices; Developing Evidence Plan Based on TESDA Practices; and Developing Competency Assessment Tools Based on TESDA Practices.
A closing ceremony was conducted on June 30, 2023 to recognize the completion of the first phase of the consultancy program. Program Coordinator Ms. Therese Tan Lee, congratulated the participants for their hard work and commitment in making the program a success but advised them to continue improving their draft CS in the upcoming second phase of the program. CPSC Director General, Prof. Wickramasinghe expressed his commitment to CTEVT and NSTB in the coming months and hopes that the partnership with CPSC will continue to prosper. The participants were conferred Certificates of Participation as recognition for completing the requirements of the training.
Group photo of the participants together with the CPSC professional and local staff during the closing ceremony
Study Visits
To further supplement the lessons and discussions throughout the lecture and activity sessions, the participants also attended numerous study and institutional visits to TVET institutions all over the Philippines. This was done to ensure that the participants will have the opportunity to observe in person how training is delivered to the students and how assessments are done in different qualifications.
TESDA Women Center (TWC). The participants met with TWC Acting Administrator, Ms. Mylene H. Somera and Supervising TESD Specialist, Ms. Kimberly Bautista. The participants were oriented on the programs and services offered by the institution especially to the marginalized Filipino women as mandated. Moreover, a tour of the facilities such as the Bar Academy, dressmaking laboratory, Samsung laboratory, HVAC and electrical workshops, hospitality assessment center, and the Cafe Juana were facilitated. Along with the tour, they were also able to interview the TWC trainers and administrators.
Concepcion Vocational School. The participants went to Concepcion Vocational School (CVS), Tarlac, Philippines for a brief study tour. They were warmly welcomed by the staff, faculty members, and students and were oriented by the programs and activities of CVS which was led by Ms. Consolacion Talisik, CVS Vocational School Administrator; and Mr. Rico Briones, CVS Vocational Instruction Supervisor. A brief tour of the campus ensued afterwards including the piggery workshop and electrical laboratory. A presentation on the teaching delivery was also showcased by the institution.
Toyota Motor Philippines. The delegation visited the Toyota Motor Philippines power plant and Toyota Motor Philippines School of Technology (TMP Tech) in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. They were met by Mr. Luis Villa, the Academic Director of TMP Tech. A tour around the campus was done as a benchmarking exercise for the delegation to see the automotive workshops and laboratories of Toyota in the Philippines.
TESDA Regional Training Center - Batangas City. Another study visit was conducted for the participants following the program schedule. At the TESDA Regional Training Center in Batangas City, the delegation learned about the achievements of TESDA RTC-CALABARZON in terms of its TVET programs and courses especially on automotive technology, electrical and electronics, metals and engineering, HVAC, agriculture, and fishery. The participants were also able to tour the center’s training facilities and workshops. They were accommodated by the staff led by RTC-Batangas Administrator, Ms. Dorie Gutierrez and Senior Technical and Skills Development Specialist, Ms. Maribel Arellano.
University of Batangas. The last study visit was conducted in the University of Batangas where the participants were oriented on the courses, programs, and activities of the institution that are related to TVET. They were met by the faculty and staff led by Dr. Imelda delos Reyes, Director - ETEEAP, CAC, and PDNCP/Assessment Center Manager, University of Batangas. A tour of the campus was also conducted where the participants were able to see on hand how training activities are delivered, assessed, and evaluated.
