Youth among those to benefit from Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition initiative

By Nakinskie Robinson   

 

The Ministry of Education & Youth will shortly introduce its Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition initiative (PLAR).

 

The programme will provide recognised certification for persons who have acquired several years of experience in various areas.

 

Minister Williams says the certification will rank within the National Qualification Framework of Jamaica.

 

The NQFJ has eight levels and four categories, which include general education, technical and vocational, occupational degrees, tertiary education and life-long learning, under which PLAR falls.

 

Education Minister Fayval Williams says the youth will also benefit from the programme. 

 

"This initiative that we're rolling out is also applicable to our thousands of young people who may have acquired very good experience in various areas of work and have no certification. The prior learning assessment and recognition allows our young people to gain recognition or credits for their skills and knowledge they already possess and as such enhance their educational and career opportunities," she noted.  

 

Mrs. Williams said measures are also in place to ensure the assessment standards are upheld. 

 

"Through the Jamaica Tertiary Education Commission, JTEC, an entity of the Ministry of Education and Youth...it ensures compliance with standards and gives guidance to employers as they do the assessment against the national qualifications framework of Jamaica."

 

The minister was speaking Wednesday during the weekly post Cabinet press briefing.