The National Council on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (NCTVET) was established in 1994, under the auspices of the amended HEART Act (1992). This was part of a national thrust by government to revitalize and upgrade technical and vocational education and training to meet current and future national development challenges. The NCTVET was mandated to:

  1. Approve and accredit institutions offering technical and vocational education and training and to keep a register of all such institutions;
  2. Institute, review and maintain a system of assessments in relation to persons trained in the technical and vocational fields;
  3. Grant certificates and other awards or distinctions and to make reports on persons who are assessed in the technical and vocational fields;
  4. Deprive persons for cause of any certificates, awards or other distinctions granted by the Trust;
  5. Appoint such committees as the Trust thinks fit, consisting wholly or partly of members of the Trust to-
  • undertake research or assist persons in undertaking research into matters relating to technical and vocational education and training;
  • advise the Trust on all aspects of technical and vocational education and training;
  • apply or make arrangements for tests and other methods of ascertaining standards of efficiency to be achieved by trainees.

Excerpt from HEART ACT: Authorized by LN. 79/1996

Therefore, the mandate of the NCTVET is to develop and promote a certification system that is relevant, responsive and effective. With that in mind, the NCTVET has the responsibility to develop standards, accredit programmes, develop assessments and award certificates and diplomas to individuals who have demonstrated competence in vocational areas.