FAQs

 Q.  What does NTA do?

 A.  The NTA is the central coordinating agency for technical and vocational education and training in Trinidad & Tobago.

 A.  The NTA conducts training for Assessors and Internal Verifiers for Training Providers offering programmes leading to the
      award of the TTNVQ/CVQ. Training Providers conduct training in specific occupational skill areas.

 A.  TTNVQ - Trinidad & Tobago National Vocational Qualification.
      It is a competency based qualification which is developed from the National Occupational Standard. 

     CVQ - Caribbean Vocational Qualification.
     It is a competency based qualification based which is developed from the Regional Occupational Standard.

 A.  The TTNVQ is recognised in Trinidad & Tobago.

 A.  The CVQ is recognised within Caricom.

 A.  Yes.

 A.  The TTNVQ and CVQ are competency based qualifications in which the candidate performance is assessed
      against the NOS/ROS. The NOS/ROS are not used in the assessment of candidates for the NEC and City & Guilds
      qualifications.

 A.  TTNVQs/CVQs are awarded to candidates who demonstrate competence in accordance with the applicable
     NOS/ROS. 
     They can be awarded to competent candidates on completion of a course of study at a secondary school.
     A TTNVQ can also be obtained from a training institution, a social/community programme (HYPE, OJT, MuST, etc.)
     or the work place. Yet another route for the award of a TTNVQ is Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR).
     The award of CVQs through training institutions, social/community programmes, industry and PLAR 
     will soon be introduced.

 A.  Centre Approval is a process in which the NTA ensures that a Training Provider
     (training institution, enterprise/industry, social/community programme) has implemented a
     Quality Management System (QMS) to support and deliver training leading to the award of the TTNVQ or the CVQ.

 A.  This information can be obtained by contacting the NTA.

 A.  TVET is Technical and Vocational Education and Training.

 A.  Vocational education and training prepares learners for careers that are based in manual or practical activities that are
      totally related to a specific trade, occupation or vocation.
     Technical education and training involves the use of applied science and scientific principles and techniques.
     The learner directly develops expertise in a particular group of techniques or technology.

 A.  Yes. Centre Approval is required to facilitate the award of TTNVQs/CVQs.

•  Work Experience
•  On the Job Training
•  Courses from private organizations
•  Seminars and Workshops
•  Independent Study
•  Volunteers work and Community activities
  

• Competency standards
• Application / Interview
• Portfolio Evidence
• Reporting Forms
• External Assessors
  

• Formal paper certification
• Better job opportunities
• Job classification/ Promotion
• Reduced certification timef
• Accommodates for working people
• Employment opportunities under CME

• Application
• Orientation
• Interview
• Skills Test
• Knowledge Test
  

• Two (2) years experience in skill area
• Availability of evidence
• Literacy and numeracy at the level of certification applied for
  

•  Masonry
• Carpentry
• Plumbing
• Electrical Installation
• Welding
  

 A.  Main aims of the R&D Department are:

• To conduct labour market surveys and distribute their findings to all stakeholders.
• To initiate and conduct research which informs the development of government policy on training.
• To facilitate the development of the Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ)
  

 A.  There are two components of NTA Research:

• Demand Side which involves the Industry and Employers
• Supply Side which involves Training Providers, the Secondary School System and University Graduates
  

• TVET Registry
• Project Plan for the Agriculture Sector
• Project Plan for the Energy Sector
• Project Plan for the Construction Sector
• Career Maps for seven (7) key sectors listed by the Ministry of Trade and Industry
• Job Cards for seven (7) key sectors earmarked for skills development
• Project Plan for the Apprenticeship Project
• National Apprenticeship System Project
• World Skills Project
  

• Labour Market Surveys/Employers Surveys
• Training Providers Registry
• National Skills Need Survey
• National Employers Census
• Tracer Study of Secondary School Graduates
  

• Government Ministries
• Major Public Training Providers
• Employers Representative Organisations e.g. Chamber of Commerce, ECA, HRMATT etc.
• Schools
• The Tobago House of Assembly
• Members of the General Public
• Internal Stakeholders
  

 A.  The Occupational Standard and Sector Support (OS&SS) department of the National Training Agency (NTA) is responsible
     for developing Occupational Standards in collaboration with experts in the particular occupational area. 
     These experts consist of employers, training providers and labour organizations.

• determine the criteria to award the Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ)
• develop training programmes
• assess the effectiveness of training programmes
• identify skills gaps and training needs
  

• Level 1 - Apprentice/supervised worker
• Level 2 - Skilled worker
• Level 3 - Skilled technical/supervisory worker
• Level 4 - Professional/managerial/ master craftsman
• Level 5 - Chartered professional/ managerial 
  

Employers:

• form a benchmark for quality of performance and develop work place procedures
• prepare job descriptions and job specifications
• determine recruitment criteria
• appraise staff performance objectively
• determine compensation and rewards 

Employees:

• creates mobility and employability through portable qualifications and skills
• creates an environment for lifelong learning and progression
• ensures a pool of skilled, adaptable and creative employees
• facilitates a cadre of workers who are competent to give industry a competitive advantage in the global market
• produces a consistent high quality of service 

Educators and Trainers:

• provides a basis for the development of relevant instructional and training programmes
• establishes an industry-driven demand approach to training, assessment and certification 

 A. 

• Secondary School Graduates 
• School leavers without certification 
• Employees  
• Displaced workers seeking new skills to re-enter the workforce 
• Self employed individuals 
• Persons seeking new skills 
  

 A.   CVQs are flexible. There are no time limits and no special entry requirements.
       Anyone can work towards CVQ Certification. You can be certified: 

• In Secondary Schools  
• In the workplace 
• By registering and training with any approved training institution  
• By registering with the NTA if you have already acquired the necessary skills  

Candidates are entered for assessments in specific skill areas.  When a candidate is ready, the assessor assesses his/her competence.  Successful completion of a unit will be recorded and recognized on an official transcript.

The candidate will gain a full CVQ Award when all the units specified in the qualification structure have been accumulated.  Based on the evidence provided by the training provider and the external verifier, the candidate will be awarded a CVQ certificate.   How are persons assessed for the CVQ Award? A person pursuing a CVQ Award is required to demonstrate competence in work-based activities simulated in the school workshop/laboratory. 

Assessments are comprised mainly of the following methods:

• Observation of performance 
• Examination of products 
• Oral questioning 
• Written testing 
• Appraisal of a portfolio 

A person can be assessed as many times as it takes to prove competence in the occupational area. Where a candidate has a grievance arising from the assessment process he/she can make an appeal to the Awarding Body. What is the Value of the CVQ? 

1. The CVQ is an award that is based on the assessment of competency towards workplace performance. Like other vocational qualifications in developed countries, it is based on occupational standards that are informed by recent industry practices.  
2. The introduction of the CVQ will provide an opportunity for the Rationalization of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Trinidad and Tobago. This includes the review of all curricula and the redesign of assessment and evaluation approaches. The establishment of a coherent TVET system is therefore possible. 
3. The CVQ operating model is industry driven and affords the opportunity to introduce new technology and materials into the curriculum.  
4. The development of education and training packages can be more effectively aligned to work place performance requirements. A direct outcome is that the system can now produce a workforce that is better prepared for the world of work.  
5. The design of the CVQ is based on the competency based approach to education and training (CBET) and is therefore learner-centered. The applications of flexible methods of instructions are recommended to ensure that there is opportunity for inclusion of all citizens. 
6. It has Caribbean-wide recognition and facilitates the free movement of labour across the region.    
   

 A. 

• The CVQ together with traditional academic qualifications create alternative pathways to acquiring further education
• Will complement the academic track
• Recognised and portable qualification in CARICOM and the world
• The CVQ ensures that you can perform in the workplace
• Your past work experience and skills can count towards the CVQ
• If you do not complete the CVQ at a centre or school you can continue at another approved centre
  

 A.  A Career Map is a tool that can be used by persons to chart pathways for professional development in a specific sector.
      Users may include:

• Career advisement professionals
• Students
• Parents
• Persons wishing to change career paths
• Human Resource personnel

 A.  These levels define the qualifications and  worker competences required at each stage of the career map and as a result 
     what is required for entry, articulation, promotion and job training.

Level 5 GRADUATE / PROFESSIONAL
Competence in theoretical and practical knowledge in developing strategic solutions to abstract and concrete problems relevant to a particular field of learning or occupation; autonomous with significant responsibility for the management of people and projects.

Level 4 MANAGER / ENTREPRENEUR
Competence involving the application of a range of fundamental principles and complex techniques with personal accountability for the analysis, design, planning, execution and evaluation of work functions.

Level 3 TECHNICIAN /SUPERVISOR
Competence in supervisory capabilities demonstrated through the responsibility for the work of others and the allocation of resources with strong problem solving, planning and designing skills.

Level 2 INDEPENDENT / SKILLED WORKER
Competence in a broad range of complex, non-routine work activities performed in a wide variety of contexts. Considerable control, responsibility and autonomy are demonstrated and guidance of others is often required.

Level 1 SUPERVISED WORKER
Competence in a variety of routine work related activities performed in different contexts most of which requires supervision during the early stage of employment.

 A.    Ministry of Education

        National Training Agency

 A.    National Energy Skills Centre (NESC)

        National Skills Development Programme (NSDP)

 A.    The University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT)

        College of Science, Technology & Applied Arts of Trinidad & Tobago (COSTAATT

 A.    The Universtiy of The West Indies (UWI)

        The University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT)

 A.    Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business

        The University of The West Indies (UWI)

        The University of Trinidad & Tobago