COTVET – GSDI Workshop Training of 48 Facilitators, Assessors and Verifiers on CBT- based assessment and certification for piloted trades of the National Proficiencies level I and II
COTVET in collaboration with GSDI organized a number of meetings to engage TVET related stakeholders such as Trade Associations (TA), Mastercrafts Persons (MCP), Training Providers(TP) and representatives from the Technical Examinations Unit TEU/GES to review the Assessment and Certification System. The system is based on the new National Technical and Vocational Education and Training Qualification Framework (LI 2195/2012).
Before an assessment and certification strategy of the new cooperative apprenticeship program can be implemented the facilitators, assessors and verifiers need a common understanding of CBT. Furthermore they should be aware of the requirements of an integrated assessment of learners on applied competencies. In the assessment a range of formative and summative assessment methods shall be used.
Therefore, COTVET and GSDI agreed to organise a 4-days workshop on CBT Assessment and Certification for key members involved in the management of the cooperative apprenticeship program. The workshop took place in Tema from 1st of December until the 4th of December.
Mr. Kwabena Amaniampong representing COTVET, and the Team Leader of GSDI, Mrs. Janette Burmester opened the workshop. The moderation was facilitated by the COTVET Head of Department for Assessment and Certification, Mr. Seth Asamoah, supported by the GSDI team of national and international TVET advisors (Mr. Danful, Mrs. Quarshie and Mrs. Moennig).
The topics discussed during the workshop aimed at complying with the legal framework of the Competency-Based Training(CBT) program development cycle. The participants were drawn from all three pilot regions of GSDI. A total number of 48 participants from the training institutions (TP), trade associations (TA/MCP) and technical examinations unit (TEU/GES) attended the training. This participants’ compositon is due to the main role and functions of the key players: 45 % represented the Trade Associations/Master Crafts Persons, 22 % represented the Training Providers and 33 % represented the Technical Examinations Unit.
The training content captured the following CBT thematic areas:
- TVET Reform in Ghana;
- Roles and responsibilities of TVET stakeholders;
- CBT curriculum development;
- CBT assessment item writing and quality assurance;
- Moderation of CBT assessment and
- Management of CBT assessment.
The participants were actively and highly engaged in the training sessions through role plays, group discussions, presentations and case studies. During the group work sessions, they identified a number of challenges as well as learning points which are very useful in future work of the COTVET-GSDI Program.
Outcome of the training workshop
All participants are aware of the policy guidance on CBT-based TVET reform including assessment and certification. The participants were actively involved through group discussions, presentations and discussion of the legal instruments. The participants were led through the process of institutionalization of CBT-based assessment from the concept until the post evaluation.
The communication and network between the stakeholders (training providers, trade associations and master craft persons, COTVET, GES/TEU) and the use of proper communication strategies were another topic. The result of this group work was, to create an internet platform which can be used by all stakeholders and apprentices to discuss assessment and certification issues. The platform “CBT A & C” is owned by the assessment and certification department of COTVET.
The objectives of the workshop were achieved and all participants stated that the workshop was highly relevant and useful for all stakeholders.
The workshop was closed by the Executive Director of COTVET, Mr. Sebastian Deh, who expressed the expectation that a pilot CBT-based assessment & certification for the cooperative apprenticeship program will be introduced in 2015 as part of the COTVET-GSDI cooperation.
