Competency Based Assessment

The Namibia Training Authority conducts performance-based assessment for the purposes of national certification against unit standards registered on the NQF for a range of occupations at levels 1 to 5. These assessments are conducted at quality assured, registered national assessment centres by trained, certified and registered assessors.

In this system assessors gather evidence upon which to make judgment on whether a candidate has achieved the required standard of competence. During this process the assessor collects evidence using assessment tools that are benchmarked against the relevant unit standards. The unit standards are industry-determined specifications of performance that set out the skills, knowledge and attitudes required to operate effectively in a specific industry or occupation.

The two assessment tools used most commonly are:

• Practical Demonstration - observation checklist and related oral questions
• Written test