vetac classification system of awarding bodies
TRANSCRIPT
National Qualifications Centre
Vocational Education and Training Award Council
United Arab Emirates
2014
Document Title Version Date Owner
VETAC Classification System of Awarding Bodies 1 June 2014 NQC/VETAC
VETAC CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM OF
AWARDING BODIES
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1. SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES OF AWARDING
BODIES
1.1 Delegation of selected VETAC functions to Awarding Bodies
The Vocational Education and Training Awards Council (VETAC) is an ‘operational body’ of the National
Qualification Authority (NQC) specifically set up to manage, coordinate and quality assure the quality
of outcomes of UAE’s vocational education and training (VET) sector. This role involves setting and
maintaining standards for the development, administration, registration, endorsement and delivery of
national vocational qualifications and awards written by or on behalf of industry.
Functions of VETAC include:
establishing a comprehensive strategy for vocational education and technical and professional
training in the country
building a system for quality assuring, assessing and accrediting vocational, technical and
professional education and training providers, qualifications and assessors
ensuring nationally-endorsed qualifications and awards are only delivered by Registered Training
Providers (RTPs) which are held accountable for the quality and standards of the regulated
qualifications and awards they offer
establishing criteria for vocational qualifications to link their outcomes with labour market needs
developing and maintaining policies, processes and procedures, in consultation with local and
federal educational authorities
establishing, recognising and coordinating Sector Advisory Committees (SACs)
endorsing and managing the issuance of qualifications based on national occupational skills
standards (NOSS) and aligned with the QFEmirates
developing a national registration database for vocational qualifications
developing a strategy for assessing, awarding and issuing equivalencies for vocational qualifications
in the country in accordance with QFEmirates levels
facilitating research and the development of labour market strategies related to improvements in
labour productivity and opportunities for Emiratisation of priority occupations
raising awareness and public confidence in the range and benefits of national vocational
qualifications and awards.
VETAC will delegate the functions of the development and issuing of qualifications/awards as well
as the registration of training providers to Awarding Bodies.
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1.2 Definition of an Awarding Body
An Awarding Body is an entity, entitled through legislation or other formal mandate, to authorise under
its remit, the development and issuing of qualifications that formally recognises the achievements of a
given parcel of endorsed learning outcomes. Through the Awarding Bodies, VETAC regulates and
controls the writing and registration of qualifications and awards that are:
written to meet local industry standards
written in response to a government directive
adopted, adapted and contextualised with approval from international Awarding Bodies for local
use
submitted by an Awarding Body to confirm alignment to the UAE National Qualifications
Framework, the QFEmirates.
Note: Developers of qualifications and awards are required to use VETAC’s Q+NOSS System Guidelines.
VETAC also approves Awarding Bodies to administer and deliver qualifications and awards through
Registered Training Providers (RTPs). Therefore, Awarding Bodies can approve organisations that fulfill
all of VETAC’s requirements to become a Registered Training Provider, to deliver qualifications and
awards.
An Awarding Body may be:
a new Awarding Body being established
an existing Awarding Body being introduced into the UAE.
An Awarding Body can represent:
an Industrial Skills Sector
one skill of a Skills Sector
a Government Ministry/entity
a semi-Government entity
a private entity e.g. an enterprise/company
a Foreign Awarding Body.
An Awarding Body cannot be:
free zone companies
consultancy companies
Registered Training Providers
entities not accessible to VETAC or owners that are Awarding Bodies’ staff.
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1.3 Roles and Responsibilities Awarding Bodies
The role of Awarding Bodies is to:
obtain and maintain Awarding Body status from VETAC to operate within the UAE
follow the guidelines and principles of good practice for Awarding Bodies and comply with all
requirements
uphold VETAC standards for the administration and delivery of qualifications.
Awarding Bodies are responsible for:
operating legally and ethically in the design, development, delivery, assessment, and internal
verification of qualification processes and delivery
following the standards for qualifications and issuance of certification for fair and equitable services
to learners
reliably and consistently operating the administration and delivery of qualifications by Registered
Training Providers for integrity of certificates awarded and issued by all stakeholders within the
qualification process
working with VETAC in producing policies, procedures and processes for stakeholder use in the
qualification process.
Only qualifications and awards registered in the NQC’s Qualifications Register and Information System
(QRIS) can be offered as an official qualification or award by an Awarding Body. Awarding Bodies with
their own suite of qualifications/awards must adapt, adopt and contextualise their qualifications/ awards
for the UAE market and receive prior approval from VETAC to offer them.
The qualifications offered by the Awarding Body will be clustered into families of qualifications approved
in advance by VETAC and guided by the following representation:
One or more specialised skills sector
One or more government sectors
One or more public education establishments
Private entity representing any of the above
Awarding Bodies wishing to offer their own qualifications must follow the guidelines for the NQC System
for Registration and Quality Assurance of Training Providers and Qualifications.
Awarding Bodies cannot delegate their responsibilities to persons or entities.
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2. CONDITIONS OF RECOGNITION FOR AWARDING
BODIES
The Vocational Education and Training Awards Council (VETAC) recognises Awarding Bodies, the terms
and conditions for which are detailed in the following conditions of recognition.
2.1 Eligibility
An Awarding Body can represent:
an Industrial Skills Sector
one skill of a Skills Sector
a Government Ministry/entity
a semi-Government entity
a private entity e.g. an enterprise/company
a Foreign Awarding Body.
Awarding Bodies cannot be:
free zone companies
consultancy companies
Registered Training Providers (RTP)
entities not accessible to VETAC or owners that are Awarding Bodies’ staff.
2.2 Governance
Entities applying for Awarding Body status must complete the Awarding Body Application Form
(Appendix 1). Entities must demonstrate:
compliance with all VETAC requirements for Awarding Bodies Approved Status
Registered Awarding Bodies Approved Status has not been delegated or sold to other entities or
persons
owners, sponsors and staff of Awarding Bodies are persons of standing within the community and
perform their duties in accordance with the VETAC System of Awarding Bodies
local UAE offices and representation
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a stated vision, mission and values that promotes legal and ethical behaviour in all interactions
anticipation and response to changes in workforce skills, and seek qualifications that meet future
skills demands
an ability to operate the administration of qualifications in English language
provision of adequate finance and established effective financial systems with verified risk
assessment mechanisms to maintain budgets, revenues and expenditures to run the entity
effectively
recruitment of qualified, industry experienced professional staff, to create a workforce culture that
delivers consistently positive experiences for learners and stakeholders that fosters their
engagement
an environment and culture of organisational performance improvement
continued two way communication with stakeholders, to analyse feedback and findings and
respond proactively
advertising and promotion of only VETAC regulated qualifications and awards that are aligned
and/or endorsed to the national qualifications framework for the UAE, the QFEmirates. Other
qualifications that are not aligned and endorsed should not be advertised as VETAC-endorsed
qualifications and awards.
In addition, the Awarding Body must demonstrate:
all regulated NQC qualifications are issued from the NQC’s Qualifications Register and Information
System (QRIS)
provision of agreed Awarding Bodies’ logos for official use on qualifications
analyses of learner achievement in the number, name, type and level of qualifications issued
maintained confidentiality of all information and documentation
maintained records of Claims for Certification for a period of five (5) years
use of the NQC/VETAC web site, data entry and database in association with all registration and
certification requirements.
2.3 Change of governance
Changes in governance, senior staff or key personnel must be notified to the Vocational Education and
Training Awards Council (VETAC) within one (1) month of the changes occurring to re-establish Awarding
Bodies’ status.
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2.4 Conflict of interest
Awarding Bodies are the regulators of entities delivering their qualifications and should not enter into
situations that would lead to a conflict of interest with stakeholders.
Where conflict of interest is perceived a written appeal must be submitted for consideration to
VETAC within seven (7) days of the conflict occurring.
Awarding Bodies will have not more than fourteen (14) days from receipt of the written appeal to
respond.
If complaint of conflict is valid, the Awarding Body will have not more than twenty one (21) days
from the receipt of the written appeal to offer a resolution and submit to VETAC.
If the resolution is acceptable, the Awarding Body will be given a close-out period not more than
twenty eight (28) days from the receipt of the written appeal for completion of the resolution.
If the Awarding Body cannot offer a resolution agreeable to both parties then VETAC will determine
the solution and timeframe with no appeal option being granted against the resolution.
2.5 Resources
Awarding Bodies should have sufficient resources to conduct the requirements for administering and
delivering the qualification process efficiently and effectively. Awarding Bodies are to:
have a full-time staff member working for and on behalf of the Awarding Bodies who has an
Awarding Body work permit and visa
nominate and name one person as the responsible person to make accurate statements for and on
behalf of the Awarding Body
nominate and name one person as the responsible person for the qualifications administration
process
nominate and name one person as the responsible person to oversee the qualifications delivery
process
demonstrate control of all administrative processes and data collection in soft copy and send VETAC
a report on a monthly basis including a list of certificate claims
produce, complete and submit the Annual Statement of Return of all registrations and certifications
to the Vocational Education and Training Awards Council (VETAC) by 1st January
produce reports for the provision of data or information returned within the specified return date.
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2.6 Corporate branding
Awarding Bodies must demonstrate corporate branding and marketing of qualifications and services
offered and should prominently display its Awarding Body Approved Status and the National
Qualification Centre (NQC) qualifications and awards.
2.7 Identification and management of risk and adversity
Awarding Bodies must have a risk management policy and demonstrate:
results of identification of risks within their own quality processes
actions to reduce risk must be identified and evidenced
any adverse effects of risk or fraudulent practice affecting learners should be notified to VETAC
immediately.
VETAC will identify and agree steps for solutions to resolution of risk.
2.8 Malpractice and maladministration
All Awarding Bodies must:
take all reasonable steps to avoid malpractice or maladministration in the qualifications process
and state their practices in their Risk Management Policy document
report suspected malpractice or maladministration in the qualifications process immediately to
VETAC stating the conditions and the steps being taken in the investigative process
follow the steps agreed for resolution set out by VETAC for malpractice or maladministration in
the qualifications process.
2.9 Qualifications offered by Awarding Bodies
Awarding Bodies must grant approval to each RTP to administer and deliver the qualification process.
Awarding Bodies must approve any satellite centers of RTPs and all satellite centres must follow the
conditions of Awarding Bodies.
Qualifications offered by RTPs must be:
in demand and meet workforce demand
fit for purpose
valid, reliable, comparable, manageable and minimises bias
accessible to all, where reasonably possible.
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Awarding Bodies must:
demonstrate capacity and offer qualifications within a genre subject area
offer suites of vertical and horizontal qualifications within genre subject areas
publish unit and qualification titles and standards as they are registered on NQC’s Qualifications
Register and Information System (QRIS)
once approved, not modify or change qualifications and units of qualifications
apply formative and summative assessment requirements for qualifications that are in line with the
assessments in the qualifications and unit standards issued by the NQC’s Qualifications Register
and Information System (QRIS)
publish and offer qualifications and awards, separate to any packaging arrangements
not prevent the learner from completing a qualification due to packaging arrangements.
2.10 Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
All definitions of RPL emphasise the assessment of previously unrecognised skills and knowledge an
individual has achieved outside the formal education and training system. RPL assesses this
unrecognised learning against the requirements of a qualification or award, in respect of both entry
requirements and outcomes to be achieved. By removing the need for duplication of learning, RPL
encourages an individual to continue upgrading their skills and knowledge through structured education
and training towards formal qualifications and improved employment outcomes. It is also acknowledged
that RPL is closely associated with ‘Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)’ defined as the formal
recognition of any previous learning experiences for skills and/or knowledge acquired, regardless of
how, when or where the learning occurred, which is eligible to count towards a qualification.
AS VETAC recognises prior learning, Awarding Bodies will operate RPL based on NQC’s RPL Policy:
RPL candidates must present evidence of their previously unrecognised skills and knowledge
acquired through informal and non-formal learning against the requirements of a qualification. The
currency of this knowledge is to be determined by the RPL assessor who is a content expert in the
field and who will interpret the evidence to make a judgement as to whether the candidate has
met the learning outcomes.
Evidence can take many forms and be gathered from a number of sources. Assessors often
categorise evidence in different ways for example:
direct, indirect and supplementary sources of evidence, or a combination of these
evidence collected by the candidate or evidence collected by the assessor
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historical and recent evidence collected by the candidate and current evidence collected by
the assessor.
Types of evidence include demonstration/observation, products, workplace documents, written and
oral questions, assignments, third party reports, self-assessment, simulation, and portfolios.
Where a qualified Assessor deems all criteria of knowledge, skill and application for a qualification
or an award have been met, a qualification or award can be claimed.
RPL need only be accomplished at one level with all lower levels in the same genre and vertical
stream being considered achieved as part of this accomplishment.
2.11 External verification of qualifications/awards
Awarding Bodies must demonstrate external verification of the qualification administration and
delivery process. Awarding Bodies must provide:
evidence of at least one external verification per year (note: desk-based external verification is not
considered as external verification)
policies, and processes for external verification
qualified personnel to conduct external verification of the administration and delivery qualification
process
processes and procedures to prevent fraudulent claims for certification
stated standards of assessment for assessment practice and standards for verification of the internal
verification processes including special arrangements
arrangements and conditions for assessment and special arrangements for assessment of learners
evidence of not less than twenty-five (25) percent external verification covering one hundred (100)
percent of qualifications, awards, learners and locations, as well as the contribution of Assessors
and Internal Verifier to qualification delivery and administration
external verification sampling of all Claims for Certification
evidence of external verification, during or after the first delivery of any qualification
evidence that all Claims for Certification are made to VETAC within thirty (30) days of completion
of the qualification.
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2.12 External Verifier
The Awarding Body’s External Verifier is responsible for monitoring and evaluating the internal quality
and assessment processes conducted in a Registered Training Provider on behalf of VETAC against the
Quality Assurance Standards for the Registration (QASR) of Training Providers and Standards for the
Quality Audit of Training Providers. This person is also responsible for verifying the eligibility of an
organisation seeking to become an RTP as well as RTPs seeking to renew or change their scope of
registration.
As an independent evaluator, the External Verifier reviews and validates assessments performed within
or across an RTP. Validating assessment tools may also be part of their role.
The External Verifier is also responsible for verifying the registration eligibility of prospective RTP and/or
those registered seeking renewal or a change of scope.
Awarding Bodies’ External Verifiers have five main duties:
Ensuring RTP operations meet VETAC’s standards of operation
Annual site visits to RTPs
External verification conducted in 25% of RTPs portfolios
Remote external verification where learner Claims for Certification are in excess of 1,000
certificates per quarter or thirteen (13) week period.
Provision of advice and guidance to RTPs that is reported and documented.
Awarding Bodies’ External Verifiers must:
be occupational and subject matter experts in their industry sector
be qualified Assessors
be qualified Internal Verifiers
hold an VETAC-endorsed External Verifier Award or a recognised equivalent/foreign award
be knowledgeable and experienced in conducting, managing and moderating/standardising
assessment events and outcomes within the relevant industry sector
have extensive knowledge of the UAE sector.
Awarding Bodies are responsible for:
ensuring External Verifiers are not involved in externally verifying work that they have previously
verified or assessed
requiring External Verifiers to notify the RTP should they be assigned to duties in which they have
a personal involvement and/or a conflict of interest
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ensuring External Verifiers demonstrate competence and current commercial or industrial skills in
the skills sector being externally verified.
See guidelines for the VETAC System for Qualified Assessors, Internal Verifiers and External Verifiers for
information about the:
evidence that an External Verifier must collect
contents of the site visit report
kinds of feedback, advice and support to be provided to an RTP
report and record keeping
professional development activities for staff involved in audits.
2.13 Professional development
Awarding Bodies must conduct professional development workshops and activities to maintain the
currency of skills of staff involved in qualification/award administration and delivery.
2.14 Registered Training Providers Appeals Procedure
Awarding Bodies must operate an appeals procedure. Appeals procedures must be:
published and be viewable by the public
permissible where the published policies and procedures have not been adhered to and
disadvantage has occurred
conducted by personnel with no personal involvement in the qualification process
heard and resolved within the designated deadlines as follows:
Submission of appeal in writing not more than seven (7) days from occurrence of the adverse
decision.
Investigation of the appeal completed in not more than fourteen (14) days from occurrence
of the adverse decision from receipt of the written appeal.
Appeal hearing arranged and heard in not more than twenty-one (21) days from the receipt
of the written appeal.
Outcome of hearing and decision of an appeal informed in not more than twenty-eight (28)
days from the receipt of the written appeal.
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Appeals procedures must address:
investigation into malpractice or maladministration
assessment decisions
internal Verification decisions
external verification decisions
decisions regarding Special Arrangements.
Where appeals procedures lead to the discovery of failure of practice, RTPs must review processes and
procedures to mitigate the effect of failure, rectify failure, and negate learner disadvantage.
2.15 Certification
Registration for qualifications is valid for three (3) years. Registration will expire after three (3) years for
all levels on the national qualifications framework for the UAE (QFEmirates). Reactivation of registration
can only occur if re-registration and fee payment is made.
Claims for Certification can only be made ten (10) weeks after registration for Principal Qualifications.
The RTP is responsible for:
demonstrating the reaching of standards for qualification administration and delivery against the
qualifications and awards for which the learner is registered
signing off Claims for Certification that are correct and authentic, and where all requirements for
the assessment, internal verification, external verification, registration and certificate claim have
been administered in accordance with requirements
safeguarding and protecting against fraudulent, invalid, incorrect or mistaken claims for
certification claims
using a learner’s unique Emirates ID number for registration, certification and all communication
purposes
using qualification/award code numbers in all documentation related to the administration and
delivery of the qualification process
claiming of a certificate for the qualification/award the learner was initially registered for
only submitting for issuance of certificates with the correct qualification/award title and code.
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2.16 Co-badging
Awarding Bodies must seek permission for co-badging arrangements to appear on the qualification/
award certification.
VETAC has co-badging agreements with various authorities that appear on some, but not all
qualifications.
All certification will be issued only with official co-badging partner’s logos where official permission for
co-badging is evidenced.
Awarding Bodies, RTPs nor individuals are permitted to over print official certificates.
2.17 Direct Claims Status
RTPs are not permitted to have Direct Claims Status (DCS) in the first three (3) years of administration
of NQC certification.
2.18 Registered Training Providers Fees
Awarding Bodies’ qualification and award fees will be standardised and capped for all Awarding
Bodies.
Awarding Bodies’ lists of fees must be approved by VETAC prior to Awarding Bodies’ publishing lists of
fees.
Standardised fee lists must be published by Awarding Bodies in full for public accessibility and viewing.
2.19 Packaging of qualifications/awards with other services
Additional fees for additional services must be approved by VETAC prior to use and publication.
Fee lists for qualifications/awards and additional services must be published separately and in full for
public accessibility and viewing.
2.20 Invoicing
RTPs of regulated programme fees for all registration, certification and other service fees will consist of
two parts, VETAC’s fees and the Awarding Bodies’ fees.
The Awarding Bodies will charge the total of the two parts of the fee to the RTPs as per the service
received.
VETAC must agree standardised fees with their approved Awarding Bodies.
RTPs will charge a standardised listed fee to the learner.
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Awarding Bodies will remit VETAC’s portion of the fee, that is, the registration for qualification/award
and certification fee and other services fees will be returned by the Awarding Bodies.
Awarding Bodies, RTP and learner registration fees, once paid to VETAC cannot be refunded.
Issuance of the first certificate is included in the fee.
Re-issued certificates carry an additional fee.
Awarding Bodies must:
use a logical standardised accounts system for the administration of fees
issue invoices and receipts for qualifications separate from packaging services
reimburse to VETAC the proportion of fees allocated for the registration and certification of
qualifications.
2.21 Data collection and access
Awarding Bodies must have in place systems to collect relevant data.
VETAC can request access to data from an Awarding Body at any time.
VETAC will provide a list of data that an Awarding Body must provide to VETAC on a regular basis.
2.22 Renewal of Awarding Body status
An Awarding Body will be approved by VETAC for an initial period of three (3) years and renewed for a
further period of three (3) years.
An Awarding Body must satisfy Awarding Body Criteria for Awarding Bodies.
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3. REGISTERED TRAINING PROVIDERS
VETAC approves Awarding Bodies to administer and deliver qualifications through Registered Training
Providers (RTPs).
A Registered Training Provider (RTP) is an organisation approved by the Vocational Education and Training
Awards Council (VETAC), and in compliance with VETAC standards, to deliver training programs. An RTP can
be a private, semi-government, or a government education entity such as a school, college, institute of
technology, university, adult and community organisation, commercial and enterprise training provider and
an industry body where training is not necessarily their core business.
All organisations seeking to deliver nationally recognised training and/or assessment services in the UAE
must meet VETAC’s Quality Assurance Standards for the Registration (QASR) of Training Providers.
The standards apply to providers seeking to deliver qualifications in the UAE that are:
national VET qualification(s)/award(s) based on national occupational skills standards (referred to
as Q+NOSS) developed by industry and endorsed by VETAC, and/or
VET programs, in particular foreign awards, typically based on other standards adopted from
relevant overseas authorities.
These standards align with the policies, structures, systems and procedures set out in the Qualifications
Framework for the UAE (QFEmirates) Handbook.
NQC’s/VETAC’s approach for the registration of training providers aims to bring mutual benefits:
Learners and prospective learners will have greater confidence in the quality of providers and their
qualification offerings.
Providers will be able to demonstrate official recognition and approval of their organisation by
NQC/VETAC, including the use of relevant logos and prescribed statements, thus attracting
increased numbers of learners.
Regulators and authorities will have knowledge of the range of providers and qualification fields
of training to inform planning and aid the achievement of National and Emirate-based strategic
plans and vision.
On NQC’s/VETAC’s approval, providers, qualifications/awards, and relevant learning pathway(s)
deployed are recorded in NQC’s Qualifications Register and Information System (QRIS) for public access.
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STAGES IN THE REGISTRATION OF TRAINING PROVIDERS
Note: The term “Registered Training Provider” is used interchangeability with the term “Institutional Accreditation”
from the NQC degree.
VETAC regulates RTPs’ activities and is vigilant in action required to maintain practices of RTPs in
compliance with its regulations. VETAC maintains practices of RTPs by:
promoting public confidence in qualifications through maintenance of good regulatory practice
taking action where practice does not meet regulated practices
preventing gain from malpractice or mal administration
deterring practice that does not meet regulated practice.
Where a breach of regulatory practice occurs, VETAC operates and applies equitable and fair
procedures to all RTPs and considers the following:
Previous compliance records
Breach was self-identified
Breach was identified by VETAC
Cooperation in undertaking action in order to meet regulatory practice
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3.1 Initial Registration
As a starting point in VETAC’s quality assurance process for organisations seeking to deliver vocational
education and training in the UAE, there is a need for a comprehensive inventory of these organisations
and the training fields which they offer, or plan to offer, VET qualifications and awards. The process of
Initial Registration is designed to capture the requisite information on the fields and level of training,
and to ensure that National and local Emirate legal requirements have been satisfied. VETAC will then
list successful applicants as a “training provider” in a directory within the Qualifications Register
Information System (QRIS).
Organisations seeking Initial Registration must hold a commercial license as determined by the
Department of Economic Development’s categories for the provision of training and local Emirate
authorities. VETAC will then verify that the organisation is legitimate, commercially sound, and has
appropriate governance arrangements in place.
VETAC will have the responsibility for Initial Registration of all training providers and for providing
publically available information on the registration status of providers through the NQC website. Where
registration is also required at a local Emirate level, or through Awarding Bodies, the data will be
forwarded to VETAC for inclusion in the central database.
3.2 Full Registration
The standards-based process for Full Registration to become a “Registered Training Provider” (RTP)
ensures that the necessary infrastructure is in place for monitoring and reporting on the performance of
the provider, which will lead to the delivery of qualifications and awards that meet workforce needs.
For an organisation to be granted “Registered Training Provider” (RTP) status to deliver training and/or
assessment services under its scope of registration, an organisation is required to demonstrate that it:
has integrity, is properly resourced and well managed
has systems and procedures in place to deliver such services in an effective, appropriate, legal,
transparent and fair manner
can deploy its services effectively and proficiently, and produce the quality of outcomes required
of selected VETAC endorsed qualifications/awards or registered programs, in particular foreign
awards, as per its scope of registration.
Organisations seeking to deliver their existing VET programs based on other standards adopted from
relevant authorities such as foreign Awarding Bodies must also apply for Full Registration through an
Awarding Body or directly through VETAC in the absence of an Awarding Body. Before applying for
registration to deliver a foreign award(s), providers must submit an Equivalency Application Form in
order for VETAC to determine whether the award(s) is good quality and fit for purpose in the UAE (see
Foreign Awards Equivalency Standards).
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As the federal VET regulatory authority, VETAC is responsible for providing
publically available information on the status of registration through the
NQC website. As with Initial Registration, where Full Registration is also
required at a local Emirate level or through Awarding Bodies, and in cases
where the quality criteria are all met, the registration data will be forwarded
to the central database to avoid duplication of processes.
3.3 Endorsed national qualifications/awards
An organisation may seek to offer VETAC-endorsed national vocational
qualifications and awards based on National Occupational Skills Standards
(Q+NOSS), which are industry-determined and industry sector-based.
These qualifications and awards:
provide details of what people are able to do and with the ability to do this in a range
of contexts
emphasise outcomes and the application of skills and knowledge
and aspects of competence, not just their specification
are developed in the UAE by Recognised National Development
Committees (RNDCs) and Sector Advisory Committees in close
consultation with industry.
Organisations must first apply for Initial and Full Registration and satisfy the
quality criteria for Full Registration. The ‘Scope of Registration’ defined in
the registration details will indicate the intent to deliver national
qualifications/awards based on National Occupational Skills Standards
(Q+NOSS) and/or nationally-recognised Foreign Awards.
The Awarding Body or VETAC in the absence of an Awarding Body will carry
out a compliance audit to ensure that training providers have fully satisfied
the criteria for registration and are suitably resourced to offer the selected
national qualifications/awards (Q+NOSS). The regulatory mechanism will
ensure that appropriate qualifications are provided in locations that best
serve the needs of industry and the demands of learners.
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3.4 Renewing registration
NQC and VETAC require providers seeking to renew its status as a
Registered Training Provider to abide by standards set out in the:
Quality Assurance Standards for the Registration (QASR) of
Training Providers (see Section 2.3 Renewing registration)
Standards for the Quality Audit of Training Providers (which involves
RTPs preparing a Self- Assessment Report).
VETAC grants registration to a Registered Training Provider for a period of up to three (3)
years.
A Registered Training Provider must apply for registration renewal in
accordance with the QASR six (6) months before its registration lapses