National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) orientation workshop in Nagaland

Nagaland : The first workshop on National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) orientation in Nagaland was organized on May 20 by the Department of Employment, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of Nagaland in association with National Skill Development Agency (NSDA).

The objective of this workshop was to orient the state departments on National Skills Qualifications Framework and discuss on implementation process of NSQF in the state. The resource persons were Nidhi Gautam and Pangkhuri Borgohain, both are representatives from NSDA.

Director, Employment, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Nagaland, Muthingnyuha Sangtam mentioned that the NSQF is a quality assurance framework which is a competency based on the framework that organizes qualifications from the entry level being 1 upto the highest level being 10. Accordingly, to be certified to have the competency needed for any level, the learner can acquire the same through formal, non- formal or in-formal learning.

Consultant, NSDA Nidhi Gautam, informed that the main concepts of NSQF work are to accommodate the diversity of the Indian education and training system and allow development to  set qualification for each level based on the outcome which are accepted across the nation and also to provide structure for development and also for maintenance of progression pathway which provide access to people to move easily and readily between different education and training sectors and between those sectors and the labor market.

The participants were made aware about the key initiatives being undertaken by the Ministry with special focus on NSQF, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). The Nagaland State Government was asked to identify the various qualifications which can be aligned to NSQF and to form a core committee for implementation of NSQF in the state.

Consultant NSDA, Pangkhuril Borgahain said that NSQF is a joint responsibility team of many stake holders and each organization has a role to play for development. She added that NSDA had been maintained to anchor and operationalized. The NSQF is entrusted to maintain and ensure that quality and standard with sector specific requirement and to facilitate the set up of professional bodies to supplement the existing vocational trained man power by evolving a sustained and on evolving basis and further added that the competencies can be acquired through vocational education/training or through experimental learning.

It may be added that NSDA facilitates operation of the frame work through the National Skills Qualification Committee (NSQC). This committee comprises of Chairman, representatives from the key government ministries, State Skills Development Mission (SSDM), Sectoral Representatives Regulatory Bodies and Selected Training Bodies/Agencies pertaining to the sector. It has conducted meeting and consultative workshop with States Sector Skills Council (SSCS), Academic Institutions and Industries representatives for sensitization and awareness on NSQF.

The workshop on NSQF orientation programme was attended by various departments, which include ITI from all districts, Nagaland Tool room & Training centre (NTTC), Directorate of Information & Public Relations (DIPR), SCERT, DUDA, Technical Education, Nagaland University, Social Welfare, Industries & Commerce, Planning Department, Government Polytechnic, State Urban Development Agency.

Note: News shared for public awareness with reference to the information provided at online news portals