- Vocational Education and Training
Vocational training programmes are offered at two main levels: for Middle School graduates (class 8) and for holders of the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) (class 10). Vocational education courses are designed to train skilled and semi–skilled workers. These courses are mainly at the High School stage of Secondary education. Following the completion of vocational education, at this stage, students can work as carpenters, masons, electricians, mechanics, welders and in other similar crafts. Such vocational education is provided by vocational institutes.
Vocational level education is provided by vocational institutes, which award Skilled Worker Certificates. Skilled Worker Certificates are awarded by Provincial Boards of Education or the Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority. Equivalent programmes of vocational training can be provided by Secondary Schools as a stream within the High School stage and successful candidates can achieve a Secondary School Certificate (Vocational) for example commerce education to train for the business sector is provided in commercial training institutes, which offer a one-year Certificate in Commerce (C.Com) and a two-year Diploma in Commerce (D.Comm).
- Technical Education and Training
The main providers of technical education include polytechnic institutes, colleges of technology affiliated with universities, institutes of technology, commercial training institutes and university colleges. These providers may offer both technical and vocational-level programmes. Polytechnics offer three year courses following the SSC, leading to the award of a Diploma. The Diploma programme is designed to train technicians.
Colleges of technology offer the same qualifications as the polytechnics but also offer degree courses to holders of a Diploma. There is no provision whereby the traditional apprenticeship experience in the non-formal sector could be assessed and certified for entry into the formal sector of vocational education.
The Diploma awarded following three-year programme in polytechnics and colleges of technology is considered the academic equivalent of the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC/Intermediate Certificate) for the purpose of entry to higher education courses (engineering degrees or Bachelor (Pass) degrees). The Diploma awarded in the field of engineering is known as the Diploma of Associate Engineer.
The two main degrees offered by the colleges of technology are a Bachelor of Technology (Pass Degree) which consists of one year of industrial training followed by one year of institution-based training. The Bachelor of Technology (Honours) is a two-year course following the award of the Bachelor of Technology (Pass degree). The Bachelor of Technology (Honours) is considered comparable to an Engineering degree (BSc Eng) and combines higher education with practical training in industry.
- Apprenticeships
Currently there are 610 establishments registered to provide apprenticeship training, which include many state owned utilities such as railways and airlines. The programme usually takes three years and the testing and certification is the same as for skilled worker training or vocational training described above. However, because of the strong reputation that apprenticeship training has amongst employers, and the fact that entry is competitive; the actual entry requirement for entry is effectively the SSC, although the training is at trade level.
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