Consultancy Service to Facilitate Recognition of Prior Assessment (RPL) and Certification of 150 Master Crafts Persons in Kilifi, Busia and Kitui Coun

Better Utilization of Skills for Youth through Quality Apprenticeship (BUSY project)

Project overview

1. The Better Utilization of Skills for Youth through Quality Apprenticeship (BUSY project) is a four-year initiative financed by the U.S. Department of Labour (USDOL). The International Labour Organization (ILO), in partnership with the Ministry of Labour, the Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE) and the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU-K), is implementing the project.

2. The overall project goal is to increase decent job opportunities and employability of young people. Thereby addressing unemployment, vulnerability and poverty in urban and rural settings. Its objective is to improve the capacity of the Kenyan government, employers' and workers' organizations, and civil society organizations. To establish and expand workplace-based training programs. It is focusing on Vulnerable and Marginalized Youth. In particular the adolescents at or above the legal working age. Who engages in or at risk of engaging in child labour

3. The BUSY project expects to achieve the following three long-term outcomes:

a. Improve/implement laws or policies supporting quality workplace-based training opportunities for youth in Kenya, including vulnerable and marginalized youth.

b. The Kenyan government, employers’ and workers’ organizations, and other stakeholders implement best practices related to workplace-based training for youth, including the most vulnerable and marginalized; and,

c. Improve the quality of existing public and private programs in Kenya, which provide vulnerable and marginalized youth with prerequisite skills to enter workplace-based training programs.

Background and context of Recognition of Prior Assessment (RPL) and Certification

1. RPL is a process used to identify, assess and certifies a person’s knowledge, skills and competencies – regardless of how, when or where the learning occurred – against prescribed standards for a part (modular) or full qualification (NSW DET, 2009; MQA, 2009; VETA, 2014). It is an official or formal recognition of one's knowledge, and skill acquired or learned on the job or informal training or via life experience or any combination of these three. Therefore, RPL can address the needs of disadvantaged groups and can have a positive impact on entry into formal training. Also, it can bring benefits to the workplace by enhancing employability and a better matching of skills, demand and supply.

2. In Kenya, the mandate to implement RPL is under the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA). The Authority established in 2015 as set out in the Kenya National Qualifications Framework (KNQF) act no. 22 of 2014 (and KNQF Regulations, 2018).

3. Most skilled youth in Kenya gets their training through the informal apprenticeship. Under the instruction of Master Craftspersons. As many school dropouts, enrollment in vocational training schemes is less. This is because formal skills training is costly for youth households. Therefore, informal apprenticeships provide the most technical skills needed by Kenyan youth. Yet youth going through informal apprenticeship do not get certificates upon completion of training. Which impedes the recognition of their learning by third parties. Especially employers and business opportunities were professional certificates is a requirement. Therefore, making it difficult for youth to transition into employment in the formal sector or grow their enterprises.

4. The National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) is a state corporation established under the Industrial Training (Amendment) Act of 2011. Its mandate is to promote the highest standards in the quality and efficiency of Industrial Training in Kenya and ensure an adequate supply of adequately trained workforce at all levels in the industry. One of its function is to assess industrial training, testing occupational skills and awarding certificates including Government Trade Test certificates. However, many MCPs and apprentice in the informal sector are not accredited. The Authority is among government agencies involved in implementing, the Youth Employment and Opportunities Project (KYEOP), a multi-million World Bank-funded youth empowerment programme. Under KYEOP, NITA is improving the quality and efficiency in traditional apprenticeships. Besides, it has developed a Recognition of Prior Learning Policy and guidelines to facilitate RPL and award certificates.

The rationale of the consultancy

1. The project supported the Federation of Kenyan Employers to carry out A Rapid Assessment of Skills Demand, Pre-apprenticeship Placement and Employment Opportunities in Kilifi, Kitui and Busia Counties in Kenya. One of the objectives of the study is to identify existing skills assessments and certification procedures. The study establishes the need for assessments and certification for over 90% of the MCPs participating. This finding is consistent with the projects Pre-Situational Analysis (PSA) of the project conducted in June 2018 by FKE. Which also indicates 99% of both informal and formal workplace training programmes do not award certificates to recognise skills acquired.

2. BUSY project is supporting NITA and KNQA to pilot RPL to 150 MCPs, using the existing RPL policy and guidelines developed by both KNQA and NITA. The aim of RPL and certification to the MCPs is to improve their employability, business growth, mobility, lifelong learning, social inclusion and self-esteem.**

Objectives of the Consultancy

1. The objective of this assignment is-

a. To use existing policy and guideline to prepare an RPL plan for 150 MCPs in Kilifi, Kitui and Busia counties.

b. To support NITA and NQA throughout the RPL process; and

c. Support assessed MCPs register for NITA’ trade tests and certification.

Scope of Work and tasks

1. The scope of this consultancy shall be to support BUSY Project, WBTCC, NITA, NQA develop RPL Assessment Model targeting 150 MCPs as summarised in number Alteast 12b, using KNQA and NITA guidelines and policy.

2. The specific tasks to be undertaken by the consultant shall be:

a. Design a work plan for assessing 150 MCPs using KNQA and NITA’s guideline and policy.

b. Awareness and publicity creation

· Develop an awareness and publicity plan to guide NITA, BUSY Project, MSEA, Jua Kali Associations and WBTCC in Kilifi, Kitui and Busia create awareness and interest about RPL in potential MCPs, employers, and other stakeholders.

c. MCPs selection, counselling and facilitation

· Guide and support assessment of MCPs suitability for a specific qualification, provide the necessary information about learning outcomes and competency standards required for the qualification and the nature of evidence required;

· Select 150 MCPs, 50 for each of the three counties of Kilifi, Kitui, and Busia. With Alteast 12 MCPs for each of each of four clustered trades, as summarized in the table below.

County / Trades

Targeted numbers

Kilifi 50

Kitui 50

Busia 50

Textile, tailoring and related

At least 12 Per county

Cookery, Food, hospitality and related

At least 12 Per county

Welding, metal works, construction and other engineering-related

At least 12 Per county

Saloon, hairdressing, beauty and related

At least 12 Per county

· Guide and support MCPs application process; and

· Help MCPS in deciding to apply for RPL, and for which qualification and at what level.

d. Assessment and certification

· Assist MCPs in application screening;

· Offer MCPs guidance in building pieces of evidence and portfolio;

· Screen the application and the evidence;

· Guide to improve the evidence;

· Design a work plan to prepare (training coaching etc. of 150 MCPS);

· Prepare MCPs register for an assessment with NITA;

· Inform MCPs required materials, registration fee and logistics for assessments;

· Liaise with NITA to organize assessment for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) of 150 MCPs at agreed dates and time;

· Coordinate with NITA to issue certificates to the MCPs; and

· Support assessed MCPs register for NITA trade tests certification.

1. Address gender equality, diversity and inclusion of vulnerable and marginalized youth be explicitly throughout the RPL exercise ( a third of the participants must be of either sex, participation of vulnerable and youth from marginalized areas in the county is a priority )

Competence and Expertise Requirements

1. The consultant should meet the following requirements;

a. Education:

· University Degree in Education Technology or any other social sciences with a focus on training and education, economics or related field. Advanced degree/ postgraduate training in Education Assessment, Measurement and Evaluation recommended.

b. Professional Training and certification.

· Must be KNQA registered assessor of Prior Learning, and either be registered/accredited as examiner/assessor with NITA or be current TVETA registered and licensed trainer.

c. Skills:

· Must possess good communication skills, both oral and written. Excellent writing/editing commands of English is an asset.

d. Experience:

· At least ten years of experiences working in a technical education setting as an assessor or examiner;

· Sound knowledge, understanding of skills assessments, measurement and evaluations; and

· Proven experience and expertise in adult learning methodologies

Deliverables

1. The main deliverables of the assignment will be:

a. An inception report detailing how to address all tasks in part 12 above, within 40 days spread in three months;

b. The report on awareness and publicity created;

c. The report on the selection of 150 MCPs;

d. The report of preparation completion of 150 MCPs, including required logistical support such as testing materials needed before testing; and

e. Completion of RPL assessment final report. Indicating trades and levels certified and demographic information.

f. List of MCPs registered for NITA trade tests certification.

1. Consultancy duration

   The total duration of the assignment will be 40 working days spread within three months, with a possible extension depending on KNQA and NITA’s RPL calendar. Commencing on 4^th September and end on 30^th November 2020.

2. The tasks of the NITA / BUSY Project

a. Shall ensure all relevant documentation is up to date and easily accessible (in electronic form in a space such as Google Drive) by the consultant from the first day of the contract.

b. Provide transportation to counties;

c. Provide logistical support for meetings, including MCPs participation facilitation;

d. Printing of publicity and awareness materials;

e. Through WBTCC support selection of MCPs; and

f. Secure introduction meetings with the project stakeholders.

1. Selection Criteria

a. ILO / BUSY Project will evaluate the proposals and award the assignment based on technical responsiveness and financial feasibility. Ensuring transparency, impartiality and neutrality as per below guide.

Criteria

Maximum Points

Technical proposal 30

Qualification and experience 10

Academic qualifications 10

Professional Training and certification described in 14 b. 15

Experience in similar assignments 15

Knowledge of skills development and training in the informal sector 5

Analytical and report writing skills, (must attach three related tasks) 15

Total 100

1. Incomplete and applications received after the closing date will be unqualified. The project will notify the selected candidate two weeks after the close of applications date.

How to apply:

1. ILO’s IGDS Number 224 (Version 1) shall guide deliverables and payments on External Collaboration consultancy assignments.

2. Interested and qualified candidates should submit their applications which should include the following:

a. Curriculum Vitae with at least three (3) relevant referees;

b. Technical and Financial Proposal for implementing the assignment not more than five (5) pages; and

c. Sample report of a similar past assignment carried out not more than five years ago.

1. Only qualified candidates send applications to; E-mail ndombi@ilo.org to reach by 31^st August 2020 Quoting “**NITA RPL**” on the subject line.