Ahmet GÖZÜKÜÇÜKHead of Testing and Certification Department

6 March 2012, Antalya

THE ROLE OF AUTHORIZED AGENCIES IN THE NATIONAL

QUALIFICATIONS SYSTEM

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National Vocational Qualification System (NVQS)

Current state of affairs at VQAAuthorized Certification Agencies and VOC-

TEST CentersQualifications, Autohrization, CertificationFunctions of Authorized Certification AgenciesResponsibilities of and Criteria for Authorized

Certification Agencies

OUTLINE

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Ensure development of national occupational standards,

Set up and operate the testing and certification, system in the field of vocational qualifications,

Ensure accreditation of education institutions,Develop the National Qualifications Framework and

reference to EQF.

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The NVQS is the whole set of rules and activities concerning the development and implementation of vocational education and training standards and qualifications based on these standards and of authorization, measurement, evaluation and certification.

NATIONAL VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS SYSTEM

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A transparent, independent and quality-assured system which

Properly links education and business,Provides an infrastructure for international comparability,Facilitates access to qualified workforce,Ensures validity, reliability and transparency in the assessmentof qualifications,Clarifies progress pathways and supports career movement,Recognizes prior learning, Enhances employment, productivity and competitiveness.

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Protocols concluded with 45 agencies for the development of 642 NOSs. 569 NOSs developed in 19 sectors and 225 of those published in Official Gazette.Protocols concluded with 22 agencies for the development of 192 NQs.53 qualifications in 7 sectors published.5 Testing and Certification agencies authorized in 6 NQ areas.

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Authorized Agency: Personnel certification bodies which are accredited by accreditation authorities that have signed a multilateral recognition agreement with the Turkish Accreditation Agency or European Cooperation for Accreditation and which are authorized by VQAVOC-TEST Centers: The role of these centers is to develop national occupational standards (NOS) in sectors and sub-sectors identified under the UYEP Grant Programme and carry out testing and certification.

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Testing and certification agencies are an important component of the quality system for national qualifications. The task of these agencies is to measure, evaluate and certify candidates and to be involved in the quality assurance. The aim of the VOC-Test Centers Grant Programme is to set up Voc-Test centers in selected 11 priority sectors in order to create and operate a measurement, evaluation and certification system consistent with the EQF with a view to achieving the project objectives.The 26 projects which were awarded under the VOC-Test Centers Grant Programme were launched as of March 2011. The duration of each project is 18 to 24 months.

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Detailed documents which are made part of the NQF after approval by VQA and which include the necessary knowledge, skills, competencies and criteria of measurement and evaluation.

National qualifications are developed based on national occupational standards or units constituting the occupational standards and international occupational standards.

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DEVELOPMENT AND APPROVAL OF NATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

ULUSAL YETERLİLİK ÇERÇEVESİ

National qualification drafts

Sector committee

Review of drafts

MYK Yönetim Kurulu

Professional organizations

National Qualifications Framework

VQA Executive Board

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Autorized certification agencies

carry out testing and certification activities in accordance with the national qualifications defined in NQF,

are accredited by TÜRKAK or other accreditation agencies which signed a multilateral recognition agreement under the European Cooperation for Accreditation (EA) under the system set up in line with the TS EN ISO/IEC 17024 standard ,

are found to fulfill necessary requirements as a result of the VQA examination, audit and assessment.

AUTHORIZED CERTIFICATION AGENCIES

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Preliminary application to VQA

Application dossier examined by VQA

Pre-authorization contract signed

Accreditation application within 90 days

Application for authorization to VQA following accreditation; examination, audit and assessment

Decision of authorization.

PROCESS FOR AUTHORIZING TESTING AND CERTIFICATION

AGENCIES

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CANDIDATE CERTIFICATION PROCESS

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1. Admission of ApplicationsIndividuals who wish to certify their qualifications in accordance with NQs and obtain VQA certificate apply to VQA-authorized certification agencies. Authorized certification agencies reviews applications in accordance with application requirements and admits eligible applications.

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2. Scope of examination – Developing the Question Bank – Selection of QuestionsThe exams are implemented according to the scope and methodology defined in the certification program developed for the relevant qualification.The testing and evaluation materials used during certification exams are developed by the certification agency authorized for the relevant qualification.The questions to be used during the theoretical and practical exams are selected from the question bank by the authorized certification agency in line with the distribution defined in the NQ.

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3. Exam Program and ExamsAuthorized certification agencies notify VQA of the exam program at least one week before the exam. The exam program describes the following:Qualifications to be tested and levels,Place of theoretical and practical exams,Time of exams,Exam officers and observers,Number of candidates taking the exam.

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4. Exam ResultsThe exam results are determined in accordance with the evaluation criteria by the testing committee assigned by the authorized certification agency. After the exam:

Score of candidate in each section,Whether the score is deemed successful, andOther exam records

are submitted to the relevant body or the certification agency which will make the certification decision.

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5. Decision of CertificationThe certification body of the authorized certification agency examines the report of the testing committee and other records, determines sucessful candidates and communicates the list with an official letter to VQA electronically.

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6. Issuing the CertificateWithin 30 days after the communication of the list of successful candidates, VQA issues the Vocational Qualification Certificates which include the approved qualification, level of qualification, date of certification, duration of validity and other necessary informationThe certificates are signed by the person bearing signature authorization by the certification agency and President of VQA.

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Operate in consistency with the authorization requirements,

Explicitly declare field of authorization,

Timely and completely fulfil financial obligations to the VQA,

Use VQA logo in accordance with established requirements,

Stop operations in case of termination or suspension.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF AUTHORIZED CERTIFICATION AGENCIES

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Manage quality assurance effectivelyManage information and documents effectivelyDescribe processes for internal and external validationManage resources effectivelyManage information, certification, application, evaluation and certification processes effectivelyProvide effective and accessible objection procesures to candidatesFulfil special conditions and make available means required for the qualifications for which authorization is granted.

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Thank you…

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