Competency based assessments is the key to increasing overall productivity of skilled workers. CII has been propagating independent assessments in the country. The most important component of the assessment process is the assessors. In order to build the much needed capacity of assessors, CII and Edexcel, UK’s largest awarding body for academic and vocational qualifications have , today, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)  to train and upskills assessors and trainers in the country. The pilot batch is being launched in the Northern Region. This will be scaled up to other regions of the country in a phased manner.

The partnership comes at a time when India is on the threshold of a revolution in the area of skills development. CII with its large network of 65 offices across the length and breadth of the country and Edexcel UK’s largest awarding body for academic and vocational qualifications will ensure scalability while delivering quality. 

The ‘Vocational Assessor Qualification’ is an international qualification that trains and qualifies assessors to deliver standardized evaluations across centers, cities and countries. The VAQ is part of a comprehensive certification programme called the Edexcel BTEC Professional Certificate in Training and Development - An international qualification for trainers and assessors along with joint certification with CII. 

The qualification has been meticulously tailored to the Indian context and will be delivered in a unique blended model including workshops, e-content and guided learning. The programme will hope to deliver high-quality assessors and standardise their practices across the country contributing to skills development initiatives.

While the VAQ is customised to suit the Indian environment, the assessors will be exposed to international standards and norms as well. This is seen as a natural progression if we are working towards our mission of “Making India the Skills Capital of the World.”