Overview
The Technical and Vocational Education and Training Curriculum Development, Assessment and Certification Council (TVET CDACC) is a Kenyan public body set up by the TVET Act No. 29 of 2013. It designs competency-based curricula for technical and vocational training, sets the rules for TVET assessment, and issues certificates to candidates who meet the national assessment requirements. This page describes how CDACC assessment works rather than a single exam with fixed papers.
CDACC is separate from the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA), which regulates, registers and licenses TVET institutions and programmes.
Levels or stages
CDACC awards two kinds of certificate:
Certificate of competence: for showing competence in a single unit of competence in a skill area.
National certificate: for showing competence in all the units of competence in a skill area.
The level of a qualification is set by the Kenya National Qualifications Framework, run by KNQA. Certification is done together with the assessment centre.
Exam pattern
Assessment checks whether you can do the job to the industry standard, using methods such as portfolios, projects, role play and written examinations. There are three routes:
Internal assessment: your trainer assesses you continuously during training and at the end of each unit, and an internal verifier checks the trainer's work.
External assessment: an external assessor from industry, or sometimes a trainer from another institution, assesses you at an accredited assessment centre, monitored by an external verifier. The centre requests an assessment from CDACC, which names the assessors and verifiers and gives the date within 60 working days of the request.
Recognition of prior learning (RPL): your earlier learning or work experience is assessed against industry standards at an assessment centre. The Council states RPL assessment is limited to certificate level.
Marking and results
The result for each assessment is either Competent or Not Yet Competent. There is no numeric score. Assessors must be satisfied that you meet the industry standard and will keep meeting it.
How to apply
CDACC accredits the assessors, verifiers and assessment centres, and the assessment centre arranges candidate assessments with the Council. Learners therefore arrange assessment through an accredited training institution or assessment centre rather than applying to CDACC directly. Check CDACC's site for the centres and current procedures.
FAQs
Is CDACC a training institution?
No. It develops curricula, sets assessment rules and issues certificates. Training happens at TVET institutions, and TVETA is the separate body that regulates those institutions.
How are CDACC candidates graded?
As Competent or Not Yet Competent against the standard for each unit, not with a numeric score.