What is TVET?

Technical-Vocational Education and Training (TVET) plays a crucial role in the economic
development of any country. It is the key to ensuring that the workforce has the necessary skills
and knowledge to meet the demands of the industry. The TVET framework is designed to
address the gaps in course design and competency standards development, which are essential
to producing a skilled workforce.

Course design gaps

It refers to the discrepancies or shortcomings in the design of a course that can hinder or
prevent effective learning outcomes. These gaps may exist in various aspects of the course,
such as its goals and objectives, content, teaching methods, assessment strategies, or
resources.

Examples of Course design gaps

Lack of alignment between learning outcomes and assessments: If the learning outcomes of a
course do not align with the assessments, students may not have a clear understanding of what
they need to know or how they will be evaluated.

Insufficient course materials: If the course materials are not comprehensive enough, students
may struggle to understand the content or may not have enough resources to prepare for
exams.

Poorly designed assessments: If assessments are poorly designed, they may not accurately
measure student learning, or they may be too difficult or too easy, leading to inaccurate
evaluations of student performance.

Inadequate technology integration: If technology is not effectively integrated into the course,
students may not have access to important resources or may not be able to fully engage with
the course content.
Lack of feedback: If students do not receive regular feedback on their performance, they may
not know how to improve or may become disengaged from the course.

Ineffective teaching strategies: If the teaching strategies used in the course do not align with
the learning needs of the students, they may not be effective in promoting student learning.

Inconsistent grading practices: If grading practices are inconsistent or not transparent, students
may become confused or frustrated about their performance in the course.

Inadequate support for students: If students do not have access to adequate support
resources, such as tutoring or academic advising, they may struggle to succeed in the course.

Competency standards development is the process of defining and establishing a set of criteria
that describe the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform a particular job or task to a
predetermined level of proficiency. These standards outline the specific competencies or
performance outcomes that are expected of individuals in a particular profession, industry or
role.

Examples of Gaps Competency Standards Development

Inadequate consideration of emerging technologies: As new technologies are developed, the

competencies required to work with them may change. Competency standards that do not take
into account emerging technologies may be incomplete or outdated.

Insufficient stakeholder input: Competency standards development should involve input from
all stakeholders, including employers, employees, and industry associations. If one group
dominates the process or if key stakeholders are not included, the resulting standards may not
be reflective of the actual requirements of the job or profession.

Lack of focus on soft skills: Competency standards may focus too heavily on technical skills and
not enough on soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. This can
lead to employees who are technically proficient but lack the interpersonal skills required for
success in the workplace.
Failure to account for diversity and inclusion: Competency standards should take into account
the diversity of the workforce and the need for inclusive practices. Standards that do not
address diversity and inclusion may perpetuate bias and limit opportunities for certain groups
of people.

Incomplete assessment of job requirements: Competency standards should be 11based on a

thorough analysis of the job or profession in question. If the analysis is incomplete or
inadequate, the resulting standards may not accurately reflect the requirements of the job.

Lack of flexibility: Competency standards that are too rigid may not allow for variation in the
skills and abilities of individual employees or for changes in the job or profession over time.
Standards that are too inflexible may be difficult to implement or may not effectively prepare
employees for the job.