Nepal Vocational Qualifications System (NVQS)
Based on Swiss expertise in Technical and Vocational Education and Training, the project contributes to establish a federal vocational qualifications system. The NVQS will increase the transparency on the labour market for employers and workers, improve official recognition of workers competencies in hospitality, construction and automobile sectors and allow links between TVET and general education to access higher level qualifications for better employment in domestic and international labour market.
Country/region | Topic | Period | Budget |
---|---|---|---|
Nepal |
Employment & economic development Vocational training Governance nothemedefined
Employment creation
Vocational training Decentralisation |
16.07.2020
- 15.07.2026 |
CHF 9’300’000
|
- National Competency Standards has been developed and 63,502 youth were certified accordingly. Out of these, 12,911 were certified at higher level skills enabling them to earn better wages.
- A Recognition of Prior Learning system has been developed and 467 returnee migrant workers were certified, enabling them to re-enter to the labour market and earn their livings.
- An accreditation system has been developed and 38 skill assessment centres were accredited to ensure quality of assessments.
- The Government of Nepal has been supported to finalize the National Vocational Qualifications Framework, ensuring the recognition of skills and competencies, and open pathways for lifelong learning opportunities for all.
- Central State of South East
- ETHZ Zurich
- Foreign private sector South/East
- Swisscontact
-
Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation OTHER SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICES
EDUCATION
GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation Employment policy and administrative management
Vocational training
Decentralisation and support to subnational government (incl. accountability)
Cross-cutting topics The project supports partner organisation improvements as a priority
Aid Type Mandate with fiduciary funds
Mandate without fiduciary fund
Project and programme contribution
Project number 7F08972
Background |
While Nepal's constitution highlights employment as a fundamental right, unempoyment remains a pervasive problem. Out of the country's total labour force of 7.99 million, nearly 1 million is without job, whereas 39.3% of the employed labour force is underemployed. In addition, at least 500,000 young people enter the labour market every year. Many of them either do not find appropriate jobs or are lowpaid, which forces young people to migrate overseas in search for work and higher income. One of the main reasons for the persistent unemployment and underemployment is the lack of appropriate skills and competencies of the work force which in turns leads to low productivity of the work force. Nepal recognizes the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system as a crucial instrument to achieve the goal of economic prosperity. The proposed phase continues the TVET sector reform in line with the new constitution of Nepal by supporting the government of Nepal to finalize and implement a Nepal Vocational Qualifications System at federal level with respective functions at province and local levels. |
Objectives | Nepali youth increase their employability. |
Target groups | Primary beneficiaries are approximately 400,000 youth (including returnee migrant workers). Secondary beneficiaries are government institutions at all three spheres of government, leaders and policy makers, TVET service providers as well as private sector actors that will benefit from capacity building. |
Medium-term outcomes |
Outcome 1: Certified Nepali youth, through Nepal Vocational Qualifications System, gain employment in domestic and international markets. Outcome 2: The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology implements the national vocational qualification system in partnership with the private sector. Outcome 3: Provincial governments implement the vocational qualification system. |
Results |
Expected results: Output 1.1: Nepali youth are knowledgeable of the application process and the benefits of the Vocational Qualification system Output 1.2: Employers are aware of the benefits of Nepal Vocational Qualifications System certification Output 2.1: Human resources in the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and in the private sector are capacitated to implement National Vocational Qualifications Framework at federal level Output 2.2: New NVQS standards are drafted or current National Skill Testing Board standard are upgraded and adapted to align with the Vocational Qualification System (VQS) and private sector needs Output 3.1: Accredited assessment centres offer quality assessment services Output 3.2: Ministry of Social Development and private sector actors in the province build their capacities to implement VQ system at province level Output 3.3: Municipalities establish a TVET Coordination mechanism to implement the Vocational Qualification system Results from previous phases: NVQS phase I contributed to develop and strengthen the Technical and Vocational Education and Training system by achieving following results: |
Directorate/federal office responsible |
SDC |
Credit area |
Development cooperation |
Project partners |
Contract partner Private sector Foreign state institution Swiss Academic and Research Institution Swiss Non-profit Organisation Other partners Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and the Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training/ National Skill Testing Board at Federal level and Ministry of Social Development at Province level are the main institutional partners. Swisscontact is the international Technical Assistance service provider which has been mandated for the first phase through a two-stage public tender process. Swisscontact will continue the implementation of the mandate for the second phase of the project. |
Coordination with other projects and actors | Coordination with major donors (World Bank, ADB, EIJ, DAD, GIZ and KOICA). Synergies with Swiss projects mainly with Safer Migration, Enhanced Skills mandated for the first phase through a two-stage public tender process. Swisscontact will continue the implementation of the mandate for the second phase of the project. for Sustainable and Rewarding Employment (ENSURE) and the State Support Programme. ETH Zurich will provide expert inputs for the federalization of NVQS functions. |
Budget | Current phase Swiss budget CHF 9’300’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF 6’609’791 Total project since first phase Swiss budget CHF 5’221’000 Budget inclusive project partner CHF 10’000’000 |
Project phases | Phase 2 16.07.2020 - 15.07.2026 (Current phase) Phase 1 01.02.2014 - 31.12.2020 (Active) |