The National Vocational Qualifications Framework (NVQF) is a system for the development, classification and recognition of skills, knowledge and competencies acquired by individuals, irrespective of where and how the training or skill was acquired. The system gives a clear statement of what the learner needs to know or be able to do, whether the learning took place in a classroom, on-the-job, or non-formal, The framework indicates the comparability of different qualifications and how one can progress from one level to another.

          NVQF would provide descriptions of the occupational competences to be demonstrated, as well as a common grid of skill levels for all qualifications included within the framework.

          The main objective of NVQF is to provide standards in order to enhance quality, accountability, transparency, access, progression, and comparability of qualifications in relation to the labour market needs,

NVQF shall consist of six levels:

NVQ Level 1: Entry Level or unskilled employees

NVQ Level 2: Foundation or basic skilled employees

NVQ Level 3: Operators or semi skilled employees

NVQ Level 4: Technicians, skilled and supervisory employees

NVQ Level 5: Technical and junior management positions

NVQ Level 6: Professional engineers and senior management positions

Delivery of NVQs

i.        Sector Skills Councils (industry group) shall be responsible for the development of National Occupational Standards (NOS).

ii.       Awarding bodies shall administer assessment procedures, organizing the roles of Assessors, internal / External Verifiers, etc and conduct of assessment.

iii.      institutions/Training providers shall provide training and award qualifications.

iv.      Assessment centres shall assess NVQs according ta awarding body criteria

Government shall:

a.       Establish a National Vocational Qualifications Authority (NVQA) which shall be responsible for superintending the implementation of the NVQF and ensure standards.

b.       approve, accredit and regulate all Vocational Enterprise Institutions (VU’s) and Innovation Enterprise Institutions (IEI’s) as well as the certificates awarded thereby creating a national branding and identity; and

c.       set up a framework that will drive Public-Private Partnership in the establishment, management and administration of Vocational Enterprise Institutions.