TVET Saudi Arabia
A Fresh Approach
John Kerr
Director
Alphaplus Consultancy
TVET
• What is TVET and why does it matter?
• ‘OECD countries cannot compete on labor costs. That means a highly
skilled labor force with a range of technical and professional skills not
only those with a university education is needed to sustain economic
development.’
OECD 2012
Saudi Skills Standards
• A new body whose objective is to ensure confidence in technical and
applied skills training in the Kingdom.
2 pronged approach
Colleges of Excellence to bring in new international training providers;
• 36 new colleges by September 2014
Saudi Skills Standards to develop;
• Fit for purpose qualifications derived from National Occupation Skills
Standards (NOSS)
• External Assessment
• Inspection and review
Saudi Skills Standards- Assessment
A strategic and deliberate move away from ‘input’ to ‘output’ related
learning.
Fair but rigorous assessment builds confidence in the qualifications
from;
• Employers
• Training providers
• Learners
Saudi Skills Standards- Assessment
Challenges of vocational assessment
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How do you ensure both skills and knowledge are assessed?
How do you achieve reliability and validity?
How can you scale effectively?
How do you ensure that assessment is balanced with curriculum and pedagogy?
How do you ensure assessment is cost effective and deliverable?
Examples
• Canada- Red Top Apprenticeships
• UK- Edge Hotel School
• Australia - Electrical Engineering testing
Saudi Skills Standards
Innovative approach from Saudi Skills Standards
• Develop NOSS prioritised on proven demand from employers
• Build Unit based Qualifications from the NOSS
• Develop fit for purpose assessments using the latest technology
1. Knowledge based Tests delivered though computer based tests
2. Capstone skills assessment
3. E Portfolio to ensure skills coverage across all the units
Saudi Skills Standards – Case Study
Welding
• NOSS developed from international subject matter experts reviewing best
practice in UK, Australia and New Zealand and consulting with large Saudi
employers on the standards they wish new employees to be able to
achieve
• 1 year Associate Diploma and 1 year Diploma with common Foundation
year to assess English and IT skills
• 60 question computer based assessments on the underpinning knowledge
plus a 6 hour practical skills test undertaken at end of year to assess the
underlining skills
• Training in place to ‘train the trainer’ in assessment, internal verification
and external verification processes
Saudi Skills Standards- Assessment
Challenges
• Technology
The cost of delivering tests and assessment is small but careful adaptation to
local market is complex and needs careful planning on the ground.
• Implementation
Qualification systems have to work right first time and every time to ensure
confidence.
• Image
More awareness raising needed on the importance and status of technical
training.
Saudi Skills Standards
Thank you
John Kerr
Alphaplus Consultancy