Q: Who is the NTA? 

A: The NTA is an agency under the aegis of the Ministry of Education, Tertiary Education Division and serves as the awarding body for the Caribbean Vocational Qualification the Trinidad and Tobago National Vocational Qualification in Trinidad and Tobago.

Q: What is the purpose of the NTA?

A: The NTA is responsible for the development of Technical and Vocational products and services in order to cultivate a certified, competent and globally competitive workforce.  

Q: What training does the NTA do?

A: The NTA conducts training for Assessors and Internal Verifiers, as well as, Training Providers offering programmes leading to the award of the TTNVQ/CVQ. 

Q: Why was the NTA established?

A: To be the central coordingating body for TVET and to increase the employment potential of the workforce of the Trinidad and Tobago.

Q: How are the goals/objectives of the NTA achieved? 

A: The various departments of the NTA work to achieve the agency’s goals; Research Planning and Development, Programme Development and Management, Quality Assurance and Accreditation, Occupational Standards, Human Resource and Business Development and Communication.

Q: Who are the organizations affiliated with the NTA?

A: The Accreditation Council of Trinidad and Tobago (ACTT), College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago (COSTATT), Metal Industries Company (MIC)- Institute of Technology, National Energy Skills Center (NESC), the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT), the University of the West Indies (UWI), the Youth Training and Employment Partnership Programme (YTEPP).

Q: What are the products and services offered by the NTA?

• Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) - An award, recognized within CARICOM, which represents the achievement of a set of competencies that define the core work practices of an occupational area.
• Trinidad and Tobago National Vocational Qualification (TTNVQ) – A competency-based qualification, recognized in Trinidad and Tobago, candidate’s performance is assessed against a set of competencies.
• Jobs and Career Coach (JCC)- A mobile unit which provides counselling and advice on job placements, career enhancement, interview techniques and job search to students, graduates, and new entrants into
  the world of work, and persons already in the mainstream workforce.
• Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) - Knowledge, skills and attitudes acquired by experience or exposure to a particular field of knowledge or occupation.
• Workforce Assessment Centre (WAC) - A skills assessment and recognition facility designed to enable access to and participation in skills development opportunities, using a system of PLAR to assess and certify
  competencies gained through non-formal learning means.
• Career Guidance – A component of the JCC, which offers tips and advice on the world of work and for individuals exploring opportunities in the TVET sector.
• Quality Assurance and Accreditation - Provides guidance and support to training providers in the widespread use of best practices and standards as it pertains to TVET.
• Development of Occupational Standards - The knowledge, skills and attitudes required for effective workplace performance. 
• Labour Market Research - A document that contains information on the number of employed and unemployed within the labour force, job vacancies and opportunities and qualifications.
• TVETTCC - TVET Control Centre – An online database or control system that houses all information on TVET.
• Skills TNT – An online data bank that allows consumers to conduct online research to find, compare and contact service providers who were awarded TTNVQS/ CVQs.
• National Incubator Council (NIC) - A collaborative committee consisting of senior executives/decision makers who provide advice, support and recommendations regarding entrepreneurial development leading
  to social progress and economic development. 
• Jobs Report – A document that details the jobs in demand, current trends in the relevant sectors, jobs and potential earnings in the various sectors, the names of training providers and the programmes they offer, as well as, the priority sectors and sub-sectors.
• Apprenticeship - A system of skilled occupational training that combines practical work experiences acquired in industry with related technical instructions generally obtained in an institutional setting.
• MTEST ONE - A “job store” which provides services to citizens, including registration for GATE (Government Assistance for Tuition Expenses) obtaining information on tertiary learning institutions, registration for services via the TTConnect Kiosk, and for resolving login issues from existing students.

Q: What is TVET?

A: Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) - Education or training which provides learners with the technical and core skills, knowledge and attitudes needed to enter the world of work.

Q: What is the linkage between the NTA and TVET? 

A: The NTA is the central coordinating agency for all technical vocational education and training in Trinidad and Tobago.

Q: What is CANTA?

A: An association of National Training Agencies and other TVET apex bodies in CARICOM states.

Please feel free to call or visit the National Training Agency (NTA) for further information.