Overview
The Bhutan Vocational Qualifications Framework (BVQF) is the national system for assessing, certifying and monitoring vocational qualifications in Bhutan. It covers learning in the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) sector, whether it happens in a training institution, a workplace, a school or elsewhere, and measures it against national competency standards.
BVQF is a framework, not a single exam. Candidates are assessed against the competency standards for their occupation, and there is no one national paper. This page uses the Driver (Light Vehicle) standard as a worked example, because its published document describes the framework and its assessment guide in detail. Other occupations have their own standards. The source is the 2015 revision issued by the then Department of Occupational Standards, so current arrangements and department names may differ; the ministry page read for this review is titled Department of Workforce Planning and Skills Development and describes the Department of Technical Education as responsible for TVET.
Levels
BVQF has three National Certificate levels, based on the competency of the worker.
| Level | Worker category | What the level descriptor says |
|---|---|---|
| NC I | Semi-skilled | Narrow, familiar processes; basic operational knowledge; works in directed activity under general supervision |
| NC II | Craftsman | A range of well-developed skills; some theory; some autonomy and responsibility for quantity and quality of output |
| NC III | Master craftsman | A wide range of technical skills; broad knowledge base; self-directed activity under broad guidance |
The Driver (Light Vehicle) standard is a Certificate level qualification at NC II, made up of four units of competency. The document also notes that a candidate aiming for the heavy vehicle driver certificate needs a minimum educational requirement.
Who can apply
The framework allows candidates to come from accredited training programmes or from the workplace through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). The standard document does not list age or education rules for the light vehicle driver beyond the note above, so check with the training provider or the department.
How assessment works
The framework describes a chain: national competency standards are developed with industry experts, training providers design programmes, courses are accredited, programmes run, then a national assessment is conducted and a National Certificate is awarded. In the 2015 document the Department of Occupational Standards handled accreditation, assessment and certification.
The assessment guide in the Driver (Light Vehicle) standard says:
Competence is judged through continuous assessment together with collected evidence of performance.
Evidence is based on practical demonstration, and knowledge can be assessed in writing.
Assessment can take place in a real or simulated workplace.
The candidate needs access to the tools, equipment, materials and documents required, and must finish within an accepted time frame.
Candidates must follow safety regulations at all times.
Pass marks, fees and dates are not given in the document, so none are stated here.
How to apply
Contact an accredited TVET provider or the Department of Workforce Planning and Skills Development for the occupation you want. The ministry page lists the Technical Training Institutes under the department, which offer regular training of 3 months to 2 years (Class X pass entry) and 1 to 6 years for Zorig Chusum.
Preparation tips
Obtain the national competency standard for your occupation and study each unit, because assessment is based on it.
Practise the practical tasks listed in the standard under safe working conditions.
If you are working already, collect evidence of your performance for RPL.
Is BVQF an exam?
No. It is a framework of national certificates. A candidate is assessed against the competency standard for an occupation and, if competent, awarded the National Certificate.
Which BVQF level should I aim for?
NC I is for semi-skilled workers, NC II for craftsmen and NC III for master craftsmen. Your occupation's standard says which levels exist for it.