NQA disturbed by urgent evaluation requests

THE qualifications authority is concerned about increased requests for the urgent evaluation of qualifications.

In a recent statement, marketing and communications practitioner Absalom Absalom said most employers now demand the national qualifications evaluation report during the recruitment process.

“Qualification holders often miss out on employability and access to additional training when opportunities arise,” he said.

Absalom said training providers also request prospective students to submit evaluation reports before they can be granted admission for studies.

He said submitting one’s qualification for evaluation at the last minute does not allow the National Qualifications Authority (NQA) enough time to complete the applicant’s application for the evaluation of qualifications.

“NQA evaluates qualifications to give them definition or value, and compares them to the Namibian system (national qualifications framework) to verify the authenticity, legality, and validity of the awarding body and qualification,” said Absalom.

He added that about 7 000 qualifications are evaluated annually and the process takes on average 30 working days, subject to the completeness of the application and availability of information.

Absalom said the time is significantly influenced by the process to verify qualification awards, with specific reference to the time it takes foreign-awarding bodies to respond to the verification requests.

Although the evaluation of qualifications is not compulsory, the NQA strongly advises all qualification holders to submit their qualifications for evaluation as soon as they obtain them.