International Labour Organization and Nahr Al-Urdon Foundation Conclude Project
Amman4 min read
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The Nahr Al-Urdon Foundation, in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and under the supervision of the Accreditation and Quality Assurance Authority, concluded the project "Enhancing National Institutional Capacities for Implementing the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Program in the Vocational and Technical Education and Training Sector". The project was implemented over two years within the framework of the Afaq partnership, and with the support of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, aiming to enhance the system of recognizing skills and experiences acquired by individuals through work and non-formal learning, and converting them into recognized qualifications in accordance with the National Qualifications Framework.
The project worked in two complementary phases, the first of which focused on enhancing the capacity of the Authority to implement a system that allows individuals to demonstrate and recognize the skills and experiences they have acquired through non-formal and informal work and learning in accordance with the National Qualifications Framework. Developing its tools, procedures, evaluation mechanisms, and certification, alongside preparing guides, implementing a national awareness campaign, and building the capacities of 50 evaluators and 20 administrative staff from the Authority and related parties to enable them to implement prior learning recognition procedures.
In the second phase, the project moved to the actual application of the system and tested its effectiveness and suitability in 6 sectors, including agriculture, hospitality and tourism, logistics, construction, beauty, and automotive maintenance, in the governorates of Amman, Balqa, Mafraq, Aqaba, and Irbid.
In the framework of developing the system's services, the Self-Assessment Portal for the Recognition of Prior Learning was launched in coordination with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship and the Accreditation and Quality Assurance Authority, to allow electronic submission and tracking of applications. The work also included developing implementation mechanisms, a draft of related instructions, and legal bases to support the sustainability and expansion of the system in the future.
So far, more than 850 beneficiaries have obtained professional practice certificates after undergoing theoretical and practical assessments, enhancing their chances of proving their competencies and entering the labor market.
Assistant President of the Accreditation and Quality Assurance Authority, Dr. Yousef Al-Abdallat, confirmed that the project "Enhancing National Institutional Capacities for Implementing the Recognition of Prior Learning Program in the Vocational and Technical Education and Training Sector" represents an important step towards building a national system for recognizing skills and experiences acquired through various learning and work paths, noting that the Accreditation and Quality Assurance Authority looks forward to playing a fundamental role in developing this system and ensuring the quality of its outputs according to clear standards, enhancing the alignment of skills with labor market needs and supporting individuals' opportunities for training, employment, and decent work.
Al-Abdallat also pointed out that the development of the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) system comes within the framework of a broader approach to enhancing lifelong learning and providing more flexible pathways for recognizing and developing skills and competencies, including micro-credentials, which represent one of the modern tools for documenting acquired skills and competencies and responding to the rapid changes in the needs of the national and global labor market and supporting the national economy. He pointed out that the next phase will focus on building on the achieved capacities, tools, and mechanisms, and moving towards application, expansion, and sustainability, through continued cooperation between national entities and international partners, contributing to the development of the vocational and technical education and training system and academic institutions and enhancing their ability to respond to the needs of individuals and the labor market.
The Director of the Programs Sector at the Nahr Al-Urdon Foundation, Mr. Mahmoud Al-Kurki, said, "Based on our commitment as the Nahr Al-Urdon Foundation to support the Kingdom's priorities in economic development and community empowerment, we emphasize the importance of recognizing prior learning as an effective tool for leveraging the accumulated skills and experiences of individuals, in line with national priorities and the economic modernization vision. Hence, the role of the Foundation in continuously seeking to unite efforts with various related parties to enhance individuals' ability to access sustainable economic opportunities."
