The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), has introduced a Mandatory Skills Qualification (MSQ) as a graduation requirement for all newly reviewed National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) curricula.
The board said the introduction is in line with global
trends, especially as skill acquisition is now central to the training of
youths in polytechnics.
This was disclosed this in a statement released on Monday by
Fatimah Abubakar, Head of Media, NBTE.
Abubakar explained that diploma holders would now graduate
with a National Skills Qualification (NSQ) or its equivalent, as an additional
certification.
According to her, this means the MSQ is now a requirement
for all diploma programs and must be attained before graduation.
She also explained that the NSQ was a certification system
designed to assess and recognize the skills and competencies of individuals in
various fields
According to her, it focuses on vocational skills and is
typically obtained through vocational training programs, apprenticeships, and
assessments conducted by approved skill assessment bodies.
“NSQ aims to bridge the gap between formal education and
industry needs by providing individuals with practical skills relevant to the
job market.
“The dual certification of obtaining both an NSQ and an ND
in Nigeria offers several benefits, including a comprehensive skill set,
increased employability, versatility, professional recognition, and career
progression,” she said.
Abubakar further said that the dual certification opens
doors to career advancement opportunities as well as provides a strong
foundation for upward mobility and career growth. She added that dual
certification offers a competitive edge in the job market, enhances career
prospects, and equips individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to
thrive in their chosen fields.
“This dual certification is expected to significantly
enhance employability. However, NBTE is aware of the limited skills training
facilities in our polytechnics and is therefore allowing a phased introduction.
The guideline provides polytechnic administrators with methods for implementing
this new provision,” she noted.
She added that assessors would play a vital role in this
process, through evaluating the quality of education and training provided in
various technical and vocational fields.
According to her, their role will include assessing
standards, learning outcomes, and the overall performance of Skills Development
Centres (SDCs) in polytechnics and other Technical and Vocational Education and
Training (TVET) institutions.
“Under the MSQ, HND level students who have acquired NSQ at
the ND level can enroll in Quality Assurance Assessor (QAA) training as an
alternative to another NSQ. The QAA certificate will be valuable in the
workplace, as many industries require on-the-job training,” she said.
She noted that Nigeria’s technical manpower situation was
characterized by several challenges, including skill shortages, a mismatch
between industry needs and training, and a lack of synergy between industry,
government agencies, and TVET institutions.