Date: October 12-16, 2026 /
Program Type: In-Country Program /

BACKGROUND

Quality assurance has become one of the most important drivers of excellence, competitiveness, innovation, and international recognition in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). As economies transition toward Industry 5.0, digital transformation, green development, artificial intelligence, and lifelong learning, TVET institutions are expected to produce graduates equipped with future-ready competencies while demonstrating high standards of governance, teaching excellence, industry engagement, sustainability, and institutional performance.

Recognizing these global developments, the Asia Pacific Accreditation and Certification Commission (APACC), the accreditation arm of the Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC), introduced the APACC Accreditation Framework 2025, representing a significant evolution from conventional compliance-based accreditation toward a comprehensive institutional transformation framework. The revised framework emphasizes continuous quality improvement, evidence-based decision-making, digital quality assurance, sustainability, technopreneurship, industry collaboration, learner success and institutional innovation while integrating measurable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) across all accreditation criteria. These priorities also reflect CPSC and APCC’s ongoing drive to transform TVET from an Industry 4.0 paradigm toward a human-centred, sustainable, inclusive and innovation-driven Industry 5.0 model.  

Institutional accreditation today is no longer merely an external evaluation exercise. It has become a strategic management tool that enables TVET institutions to strengthen governance, improve organizational performance, benchmark against international standards, and establish a sustainable culture of excellence. Institutions accredited under APACC demonstrate higher institutional credibility, stronger stakeholder confidence, improved graduate employability, greater industry partnerships, and enhanced opportunities for regional and international collaboration.

The proposed five-day In-Country Program on “APACC Institutional Accreditation and Certification in TVET: Implementing the APACC Accreditation Framework 2025” is designed to build the institutional capacity of TVET leaders, quality assurance managers, administrators, and faculty members in understanding, implementing, and institutionalizing the APACC Accreditation Framework. Rather than focusing solely on accreditation procedures, the program adopts a transformation-oriented approach that enables institutions to identify performance gaps, strengthen quality systems, develop evidence-based improvement plans, and prepare effectively for APACC accreditation.

Through an integrated combination of keynote lectures, theme papers, practical workshops, institutional self-assessment exercises, peer learning, simulation activities, and action planning sessions, participants will gain both conceptual understanding and practical experience in applying APACC quality standards within their own institutions.

ANTICIPATED IMPACTS OF THE PROGRAM

The program is expected to contribute to the following institutional impacts in Bhutan:

• Enhanced institutional readiness of Bhutanese TVET institutions for APACC accreditation under the APACC Accreditation Framework 2025.
• Strengthened institutional quality assurance systems aligned with international TVET standards.
• Improved governance, strategic planning, and evidence-based institutional management.
• Enhanced capability to implement KPI-based quality monitoring and continuous improvement mechanisms.
• Increased integration of digital transformation, sustainability, technopreneurship, and Industry 5.0 practices into institutional management.
• Stronger partnerships with industry, employers, communities, and international organizations.
• Development of institutional quality cultures that support innovation, accountability, transparency, and organizational excellence.
• Greater international recognition and competitiveness of participating TVET institutions.

OBJECTIVES

The training program is designed to:

• Develop Bhutanese participants' understanding of the APACC Accreditation Framework 2025 and its role in strengthening institutional quality assurance and continuous improvement.
• Strengthen institutional capacities in implementing APACC quality standards, performance indicators, and evidence-based quality management systems.
• Enhance participants' competencies in conducting institutional self-assessment, gap analysis, evidence mapping, and accreditation preparation.
• Promote strategic leadership and organizational transformation through quality assurance, digitalization, sustainability, innovation, and stakeholder engagement.
• Equip participants with practical tools for preparing institutional accreditation action plans aligned with APACC quality benchmarks.
• Foster a culture of continuous quality improvement and institutional excellence across participating TVET institutions.

Date: April 6-11, 2026 /
Program Type: In-Country Program /

Program Contents

Special Lecture: Achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through Curriculum Interventions in TVET (Prof. (Dr.) Suresh K. Dhameja) 

Theme Papers

• Theme Paper 1: Enhancing Industry Relevance of Bhutan TVET Curricula
• Theme Paper 2: Outcome-based Curriculum (OBC) and Learning Outcomes (LOs)
• Theme Paper 3: Occupational Analysis in OBC
• Theme Paper 4: ICT Tools for OBC
• Theme Paper 5: Scientific Development of OBC Programme Structure
• Theme Paper 6: Scientific Development of OBC Course Structure
• Theme Paper 7: Outcome-Based Assessment (OBA) of PrOs and ADO
• Theme Paper 8: Outcome-Based Assessment of Cognitive Domain LOs
• Theme Paper 9: OBA of meso-level, macro-level industry-specific LOs

Group Work Activities (GWA)

• GWA 1: ICT Lesson Hackathon
• GWA 2: ICT Lesson Hackathon – Contd.
• GWA 3: Scientific Development of OBC Course Structure with PrOs and ADOs.
• GWA 4: Deriving Cognitive Domain LOs
• GWA 5: Question Bank and Question Paper Design and ICT tools
• GWA 6: Practicum Design for OBA of PrOs and ADOs
• GWA 7: Action Planning followed by presentations

Date: October 13-24, 2025 /
Program Type: Customized Program /

Objectives

1. To equip participants with technical expertise on EV technology and CNC machining.
2. To foster a workforce that aligns with industry requirements and global standards.
3. To promote innovation and adaptability in emerging technologies.
4. To create pathways for employment and entrepreneurship in these high demand sectors.

Outcomes

1. Skilled trainers to further train TVET graduates
2. Strengthened industry-academia collaboration.
3. Networking between TVET Institutions of Bhutan and Philippines
4. Actual implementation of South-South Cooperation through assistance by Government of the Philippines to the Royal Kingdom of Bhutan

Date: October 7-11, 2024 /
Program Type: In-Country Program /

Main Contents

To achieve the objectives set forth, the following strategies will be employed in a consultative nature:

Presentations on the following:

Special Lecture: An Overview of R&D and significance of action research in Asia Pacific Region

Theme Papers

• Theme Paper 1: Introduction to Research Methodology
• Theme Paper 2: Conduct of Literature Review
• Theme Paper 3: Research Approaches and Design
• Theme Paper 4: Data Collection and Validation
• Theme Paper 5: Data Analysis Tools
• Theme Paper 6: Writing up Conclusion & References(Journals And Citations)
• Theme Paper 7: Basic Research Proposal Framework (Workshop)

Exercises and workshops on the following:

Group Work Activities (GWA)

• GWA 1: Workshop on Research Methodology
• GWA 2: Workshop on Data Analysis
• GWA 3: Issues and concerns of TVET in Bhutan
• GWA 4: Basic Proposal writing on TVET in Bhutan

Objectives

At the end of the course, participants should be able to:

• Determine and understand the fundamental concept of Action Research Methodology
• Familiarize and understand the research framework and its importance.
• Promote and collaborate research with internal and external stakeholders.

Date: May 8-12, 20223 /
Program Type: In-Country Program /

Program Contents

To achieve the objectives set forth, the following strategies will be employed in a consultative nature:

Special Lecture on “Integrated 21st Century Skills in TVET”

Theme Papers & Presentations on the following:

• Theme Paper 1: Digitalization in TVET
• Theme Paper 2: TVET Digital Framework and New Skills
• Theme Paper 3: Tools and Application for Digital Learning
• Theme Paper 4: Digital Learning Platform
• Theme Paper 5: AR, VR and MR
• Theme Paper 6: Excellence of Leadership for Change Management through PDCA Cycle in TVET

Workshops & Activities

• Workshop 1: Understanding and Analyzing TVET Institute Readiness in implementing Digital Learning
• Workshop 2: Creating Digital Learning Lesson Plan and Assessment
• Workshop 3: Development of Digital Learning Material

National Seminar on “Virtual TVET for TVET Sustainability in Globalization”

• Session 1: Virtual TVET and 21st Century Classroom
• Session 2: Digital Trends in Global TVET
• Session 3: TVET Digitalization and Industrial Linkages
• Session 4: Open Forum

Objectives

The objective of the ICP on “Embracing Digital Learning in TVET” are as follows:

• Understand and study the concept of digital learning in TVET;
• Build capacity of TVET institute to incorporate digital learning facilitate flexible and effective learning platform; and
• Draft strategic plan and way forward for introduction of digital learning opportunities in TVET.

Date : Apr 1-5, 2019 /
Venue : NRDCL, Thimphu, Bhutan /
Program Type: In-Country Program /

Main Contents

Theme Papers:

• Theme Paper 1: QMS in TVET for Skilled Workforce
• Theme Paper 2: Quality Assurance System on the TVET Programs Registration and Accreditation System
• Theme Paper 3: Quality Assurance System on the National Assessment and Certification
• Theme Paper 4: External Quality Assurance using APACC Criteria
• Theme Paper 5: Quality Assurance System of Bhutan

Group Work:

• Group Work 1: Action Plan on TVET Programs Registration and Accreditation System
• Group Work 2: Action Plan on the National Assessment and Certification
• Group Work 3: Action Plan to undergo for APACC Accreditation

National Seminar: Quality Assurance System for a Globally Competitive Workforce

Date : Jun. 5-17, 2017 /
Venue : CPSC, Manila, Philippines /
Program Type: Customized Program /
Collaborating Organization: Ministry of Labour and Human Resource (MoLHR), Kingdom of Bhutan /

Theme Papers:

• Theme Paper 1: Concept of Curriculum Development and Process
• Theme Paper 2: Needs Assessment/Curriculum Design and Development
• Theme Paper 3: Development of Curriculum Structure (Objective to Evaluation)
• Theme Paper 4: Knowledge, Skills and Attitude (KSA) Combination in TVET Curriculum
• Theme Paper 5: Planning and Facilitation of Curriculum Development Workshop
• Theme Paper 6: ICT Implication in Design, Delivery, and Evaluation of Curriculum
• Theme Paper 7: Skills for 21st Century TVET
• Theme Paper 8: Advance Training of Trainers Pedagogy Modules
• Theme Paper 9: Master Trainer and Qualities
• Theme Paper 10: Concept of Transformative Pedagogy in TVET
• Theme Paper 11: Research Design and Development
• Theme Paper 12: Thesis Writing in TVET
• Theme Paper 13: Monitoring and Evaluation of Training Programs

Tasks:

• Practice on Curriculum Template
• Project Work on Facilitation Skills

Study Visits:

• Don Bosco Technical Institute - Makati
• Dualtech Training Center
• SEAMEO INNOTECH
• Technical Education and Skills Development Authority

Date : Oct. 17-21, 2016 /
Venue : Thimphu, Bhutan /
Program Type: In-Country Program /
Collaborating Organization: Department of Human Resources, Ministry of Labour and Human Resources, Royal Government of Bhutan /

Theme Papers

• Special Lecture: TVET Pathways to Sustainable Development: Current Concepts, Practices and Future Agenda
• Theme Paper 1: Towards a New Architecture of Sustainable TVET Delivery
• Theme Paper 2A: Sustainability, Entrepreneurship and Leadership for TVET
• Theme Paper 2B: A Model of Entrepreneurship Development Initiative (EDI) at TVET Institutions: Preparing the Entrepreneurial TVET Graduate
• Theme Paper 3: Green jobs and Green Curriculum
• Theme Paper 4: Quality Assurance in TVET Pathways to Sustainable Development
• Theme Paper 5: Knowledge, Technology and Sustainable Development

Tasks & Group Project Work: Preparation of an action-based development plan for integrating sustainable development in the TVET system for Bhutan

• Task 1: Identification of major issues and challenges of sustainable development in TVET System
• Task 2: Focus Group Discussion and Presentation on Promoting Green Entrepreneurship and Leadership in the TVET System
• Task 3: Formulate action plans on realigning skills for TVET Sustainability - Developing a Green TVET Curricula

Date : October 7-11, 2014 /
Venue : Thimphu, Bhutan /
Program Type: In-Country Program /
Collaborating Organization: Department of Human Resources, Ministry of Labour and Human Resources, Government of Bhutan /

The delivery of the program design shall follow a spiral learning approach, beginning with an overview of core concepts and followed by progressively deeper application of the concepts and finally, a self-directed learning approach through action planning.

• Popularizing TVET: Status, Strategies and Mechanisms
• Models for Improving Access, Equity and Employability
• Gender Mainstreaming Mechanisms in TVET
• Developing an Action Plan to Popularize TVET

Theme Paper 1: Popularizing TVET: An overview

• Current Status and Observed Impediments
• The Emerging Promise for Employability and Gainful Returns
• Strategies, Mechanisms and Models for Popularizing TVET

Theme Paper 2: Models for Improving Access, Equity and Employability

• Segments of Marginalized Population, Gender Specific and Minorities
• Models for Access, Equity and Employability

Theme Paper 3: Gender Mainstreaming in TVET

• TVET and Female Participation
• Avenues for Female Contribution
• Strategies for Gender Mainstreaming in TVET

Project Work

• Action Plan for Building Image of TVET

National Seminar

Current Initiatives and Practices in Building TVET Image in Bhutan
10 October 2014, NRDCL Hall, Thimphu, Bhutan