National Skills Qualification Framework - Features and Advantages

National Skills Qualification Framework - Features and Advantages

Question - Recently, the Centre announced that the National Skills Qualification Framework will soon be a tool for measuring competency for a government job. Discuss the National Skills Qualification Framework as an optimal quality assurance framework.

Cabinet Committee on Skill Development has approved the NSQF/National Skills Qualification
Framework

Features

• This quality assurance framework organises qualifications as per a series of levels of KSA or knowledge, skills and aptitude.

• The levels are defined as learning outcomes which must be possessed by the learner through either of the following types of learning:

- Formal learning
- Non-formal learning
- Informal learning

• The NSQF will also help in moving towards outcome based learning in general as well as vocational space

• The quality assurance framework will also dispel the issues associated with lack of uniformity in qualifications and/or equivalence of degrees/diplomas/certificates which impacts the employability and mobility of students

• NSQF envisages a shift from input to learning outcomes

• NSQF will also aim to facilitate Recognition of Prior Learning/RPL which is currently lacking in the field of education and training

• The framework has been anchored and operationalised by the NSDA or National Skill Development Agency under the Ministry of Finance

• The NSQF aims to coordinate and harmonise skill development in the public as well as private sector

• It is a nationally integrated competency and education linked skill framework which seeks to offer horizontal as well as vertical pathways within vocational education and training as well as general and technical education

• This framework links one level of learning to higher ones

• NSQF comprises 10 levels of learning where entry level is Level 1 and the most advanced level is Level 10

Advantages

- It will help in attaining desired competencies

- It will provide a transit to the job market

- It will provide returns for additional skills to further upgrade competencies

- NSQF aims at recognition of prior learning

- It embodies national principles for recognition of skill proficiencies

- NSQF also promotes lifelong learning

- It provides a transparent and accountable learning mechanism system for the nation

- Credit accumulation and transfer system incorporated in NSQF will enable people to move between education, vocational training and work effectively

- NSQF also accommodates the diversity and richness of complex Indian learning systems

- It also provides the structure for the development of progression pathways

- It provides job market entrants with domestic as well as international mobility

- It provides regulation and quality assurance in the fields of education and training

Facts and Stats

• Various international organisations have also been involved in the development of quality assurance skill development frameworks including OECD, ILO, WB and the EU

• National Skill Qualification Framework’s need was felt during the 2009 National Policy on Skill Development

• The National Skill Development Agency was formed to put together NSQF

• NSQF is an outcomes based approach which makes progression pathways transparent

• It also promotes the alignment of Indian qualifications with international frameworks and standards

• Each NSQF level has a series of descriptors on the basis of which learning outcomes are assessed