Stakeholders from the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector in Kenya and Tanzania met in Entebbe, Uganda, from 2nd to 5th April, for a quality assurance workshop to review and improve content for the Regional Framework for Occupational Competency Assessment and Certification (ROCAC) and the Regional Policy Framework for TVET Integration (RPFTI). The frameworks are expected to enhance collaboration and harmonisation of TVET systems among East African countries.
The workshop was organised by the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA), the Regional Facilitation Unit for the East Africa Skills for Transformation and Regional Integration Project (EASTRIP) with support from the World Bank.
The frameworks are expected to facilitate integration of TVET systems and enhance access, quality, and relevance of TVET programmes in East Africa. “The frameworks will streamline and harmonise TVET assessment and certification processes further strengthening integration of TVET systems across the region,” said Dr. Cosam Joseph, the Regional Project Coordinator for EASTRIP at IUCEA. “This will result in improved mobility, enhance career opportunities, and facilitate skills transfer within the TVET sector in the region for globally competitive workforce. The common standards and practices established will result in significant rise in the quality of vocational education and training programmes.,” he said.
The frameworks are critical for establishing consistent and reliable occupational competency assessment and certification systems across the three nations, thereby facilitating mutual trust, easing the recognition of certifications, and promoting the mobility of skilled labour.
EASTRIP, has already registered a number of achievements towards supporting regional integration of TVET systems in East Africa through the development and adoption of a Regional TVET Qualifications Framework for Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania.
The policy frameworks, alongside the development of harmonised 44 occupational standards and mutual recognition of 235 TVET qualifications, are expected to significantly bolster regional integration in education and skilled labour mobility.
The workshop included officials from Ministries responsible for TVET in Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania, private sector representatives. The final versions of the ROCAC and the TVET Integration Policy Framework will be prepared for publication.
By Godwin Bonge Project Communication Officer for EASTRIP at IUCEA.
