Secondary vocational education
Secondary vocational education in Pakistan
In Pakistan, secondary vocational education is part of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). The National Vocational & Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) controls the TVET.
Types of study programmes
There are many types of study programmes in Pakistani secondary vocational education. The study programmes vary in terms of their admission requirements, , content and . You will need information about this in order to determine the level of a qualification.
Board exams
Usually, students take exams administered by a Board of Technical Education (BTE) to which their educational institution is affiliated. In the province of Punjab, for instance, the board is called the Punjab Board of Technical Education, Lahore. For the content of the exams, boards follow guidelines from the NAVTTC. The boards issue the official diploma and transcript, rather than the educational institution itself.
For a credential evaluation, it is important to investigate whether students are required to take an exam administered by a board. This is usually the case with technical and medical study programmes and study programmes for a . You can find this information on the website of the educational institution or the the website of the government of the Pakistani province (where the student studied).
Duration
The official length of the full-time programme (not part-time) without study delay.
Transfer entitlement
The possibility to continue on to an advanced programme, in some cases with exemptions for several subjects or a certain period.
Regulated profession
If a profession is regulated, this means you must meet certain requirements to be able to exercise the profession. The requirements for a regulated profession are described in the country’s laws. In every country there is an organisation for every regulated profession that verifies whether you meet the requirements. This kind of organisation is referred to as a ‘competent authority’.
Diploma programme
In Pakistani secondary vocational education, many students choose a Diploma programme.
- Duration: 2 to 3 years.
- Content: often technical study programmes (engineering or technology) or study programmes in business and economics (commerce). Students usually take exams administered by a Board of Technical Education. Other fields of study are also possible, sometimes with exams administered by a different kind of board.
- Admission requirements: usually a Secondary School Certificate or a Matriculation Certificate. Sometimes schools have extra requirements, such as certain subjects and/or grades.
- Function of the diploma: work or sometimes admission to higher education.
- Diploma: Diploma in/of + name of field of study. Usually, a BTE issues the Diploma. Examples are the Diploma of Associate Engineer and Diploma in Commerce.
We compare a Diploma of Associate Engineer to an MBO diploma level 3 or 4. This depends on the content of the study programme.
We compare a Diploma in Commerce to an diploma level 2.
MBO
Secondary vocational education (middelbaar beroepsonderwijs, MBO). MBO prepares pupils for the professional practice or further study. This type of education follows on from VMBO; its duration will depend on the chosen qualification. MBO comprises 4 levels (I-IV). Read more on the website of SBB.
Want to know more?
Do you have questions about secondary vocational education in Pakistan? Contact the SBB, the expertise centre for foreign qualifications and study programmes at VMBO and MBO level.