NBTE Implements Compulsory Skills Qualification for Polytechnic Students

NBTE Implements Compulsory Skills Qualification for Polytechnic Students

The National Board for Technical Education has implemented a Mandatory Skills Qualification (MSQ) as a compulsory graduation criterion for all newly revised National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) curricula.

According to Hajiya Fatimah Abubakar, the Head of Media at the board, this initiative aligns with global practices, particularly as skill acquisition takes precedence in polytechnic education.

Abubakar stated in a release on Monday in Abuja that diploma recipients would now earn a National Skills Qualification (NSQ) or its equivalent as an additional credential upon graduation.

She emphasized that the MSQ is now a prerequisite for all diploma programs and must be achieved before students graduate.

Abubakar also explained that the NSQ serves as a certification system designed to evaluate and acknowledge individuals’ skills and competencies across various sectors.

“It emphasizes vocational skills and is typically acquired through vocational training programs, apprenticeships, and assessments conducted by accredited skill assessment bodies,” she noted.

Abubakar highlighted the benefits of obtaining both an NSQ and an ND in Nigeria, including a comprehensive skill set, heightened employability, adaptability, professional acknowledgment, and career advancement.

Moreover, she stressed that this dual certification enhances job market competitiveness, elevates career prospects, and equips individuals with the requisite skills and knowledge for success in their chosen fields.

While acknowledging the limited availability of skills training facilities in polytechnics, Abubakar stated that the implementation of this provision would be gradual, with guidelines provided for polytechnic administrators.

She underscored the importance of quality assurance in ensuring the effectiveness and relevance of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs.

Abubakar further mentioned the significant role of assessors in evaluating education and training standards, learning outcomes, and overall performance in Skills Development Centres across polytechnics and other TVET institutions.

Under the MSQ framework, HND students who have obtained NSQ at the ND level can opt for Quality Assurance Assessor (QAA) training as an alternative to pursuing another NSQ.

This QAA certificate holds value in the workplace, as many industries prioritize on-the-job training.

However, she acknowledged various challenges in Nigeria’s technical workforce landscape, such as skill shortages, mismatches between industry requirements and training, and inadequate collaboration between industry stakeholders, government agencies, and TVET institutions.