Labor ministry adds 22 Competent Linemen to the job market

National certificate Level 2 (NC-2) vocational qualification was awarded to 22 Out of 25 Transmission and distribution Lineman in the capital. The recipients are now certified competent and it is also the seamless track for their higher education and upgradation of their skills and knowledge.

The National assessment and certification system is a positive aspect of the Recognition of the Prior learning (RPL). It is recognition of the skills, knowledge and competence currently held by an individual, regardless of how and where the learning process occurred.

The Officiating chief program officer Wangda Dorji said candidates after RPL assessment are equivalent to other forms of training.

Although most of the linemen were not adequately literate they are eligible for the NC-2 as it’s skill-oriented. But for higher levels they need to have knowledge on literature as some supervision works are to be done.

However the certified linemen were happy as they could now enhance their skills and knowledge.

“With our efficient skill and knowledge we promise to perform well and serve our nation,” said Lineman Karma Wangdi.

The only female lineman Samten Choden who studied till Class X said all of us look forward for such opportunities to enhance skill and knowledge. “Being competent in labor market we would carry out our duty fruitfully,” she said.

The candidates were mostly awarded with distinction and during the assessment and for those who could not write their answers they were provided with translators.

Labor Minister Dorji Wangdi said the certified linemen will now get a special recognition in the market and can upgrade for higher education.

“They are now included in Bhutan Vocational Framework which is the part of Bhutan National Qualification Framework,” he said. He added that they now fit in the world of work and work of academic.

The RPL was first experimented in 2007 on request of the Chukha Hydro Power Corporation Limited to assess and certify experienced skilled employees without formal education or qualification.

Several assessments in the construction and service occupations were also conducted in 2008 and 2009.

Later after the introduction of the National Occupational Skills Standards (NOSS) by Labor ministry in 2010, 15 Excavator Operators were assessed in 2011 based on NOSS. This exercise was planned as an ad-hoc activity on the request of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests (MoAF).

However this was the second RPL assessment based on NOSS on request from the Bhutan Power Corporation (BPC). Under it 25 linemen were assessed for the award of National Certificate Level 2 from 3rd till 6th October at the Central Maintenance and Training Division, Begana, BPC.

The assessments were conducted by trade experts from the industry and the national certificate awarded based on the provisions of the “Guidelines for Competency based Assessment and Certification System 2011”.

The Director of DOS, Sonam Rinchen said most of the linemen were in the job for more than 20 years without any assessment therefore BPC wanted to assess their employees and develop their human resources.

He said the NC-2 certificate holders can now compete for NC-3 level and also join diploma courses which Technical Training Institutes are gearing up for.

“At the moment TTI instructors are at certificate level thus upgrading them is necessary and Institute need to be meeting other resources also,” he added.

Labor Minister Said the RPI assessment will boost up the self-esteem and the confident of the workers and further help in their promotion.

On other hand the employers will be benefitted with such competent workers and improve the efficiency of the organization.

The Department of Occupational Standards (DOS) under Labor Ministry has operationalized the assessment and certification components of the Bhutan Vocational Qualifications Framework (BVQF) which is one of the key strategies to reform the Technical and Vocational Education (TVET) system in the Kingdom.

The department plans to conduct such assessments and award national certificates in an organized and systematic manner once the assessment centers have been established in the Registered Training providers, as per accredited courses offerings, but based on demand.

They are confident that quality of our national workforce can be improved over time through this system and support in rapid socio- economic development of the nation.