VNFIL is a new process in Azerbaijan. The Cabinet of Ministers approved the Rules of validation on August 5th, 2020. VNFIL only covers vocational education.
Validation is coordinated and carried out by the Education Quality Assurance Agency (EQAA) under the Ministry of Education. A typical process starts with applicant registering online and uploading the necessary documents to their personal account. These documents are reviewed by the EQAA and interview is carried out with the applicant. Assessment is carried out in two stages: knowledge assessment consisting of 10 multiple-choice questions per module and assessment of skills and competences consisting of assignments. The last stage of validation is issuance of state documents. Applicant that successfully complete examinations of all modules of the qualification are awarded a Diploma that is an equivalent to the document on education at the initial level of vocational education, which is the first level of vocational education in Azerbaijan (AzNQF level 3). Applicants can also be awarded Certificates for validation of individual modules from technical vocational education (AzNQF level 4) and higher technical vocational education (AzNQF level 5).
VNFIL is currently only taking place in Baku, but EQAA is planning to widen the coverage in the coming years. As a pilot project in VNFIL it was also applied in one of the regions of Azerbaijan.
EQAA has published 14 qualifications available for VNFIL and so far. 119 persons applied for assessment and recognition. 51 persons passed initial review process. 11 persons were awarded with diplomas and 16 persons were awarded with certificates.
The process is new and the demand is increasing. The EQAA plans to increase the number of qualifications available for VNFIL and number of applicants is expected to increase in the future. VNFIL was carried out for 5 qualifications (Drywall installer and repairer, Barber, Plastic pipe welder, Mobile phone repairer and Confectioner). Barber qualification had the highest number of applicants (22).
VNFIL is available for disadvantaged groups and as a pilot together with the State Employment Agency (SEA) assessment and recognition procedures was organized for Confectioners with disabilities. 5 persons with disabilities participated in VNFIL and 3 of them successfully completed the procedures receiving 2 Diplomas and a Certificate. As a result of VNFIL the applicants were supplied with equipment by the SEA to start their own businesses.
For further information see the interview with Nijat Asadli, Director of Department for Recognition of Qualifications at the Education Quality Assurance Agency in Azerbaijan:
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