Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for Certifying Informal Skills
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a project aimed at certifying skilled young people who have been trained through an informal system called the ‘Ustad-Shagird’ system. The goal is to improve job opportunities for these individuals by officially recognizing the skills they’ve acquired through informal or unregulated means. So far, the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) has assessed and certified the skills of over 47,000 young people from the informal sector. Additionally, 30,156 young people have had their skills assessed and certified under the Prime Minister’s Youth Skill Development program.
To modernize the country’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system. Pakistan has adopted an internationally recognized training approach called Competency-Based Training (CBT). This system replaces the traditional method of training. NAVTTC, with the support of GIZ, has trained and assessed more than 2,100 assessors in competency-based training to improve their standards. These assessors will be involve in RPL and other NAVTTC projects.
Currently, NAVTTC operates 114 assessment centers nationwide where RPL activities take place. By establishing more RPL assessment centers in the country’s public. The private sector, NAVTTC aims to achieve higher targets in the future.
It’s widely known that Pakistani workers abroad play a significant role. In the country’s economic development by sending money back home, known as remittances. Countries such as those in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and the United Kingdom. And other European nations are major sources of remittances, second only to exports. RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) ensures that workers sent abroad are genuinely certified, increasing foreign remittances. And enhancing the reputation of Pakistani skilled workers in the international job market.
