Background information

A National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) can be awarded to anyone over the age of 18 through assessment by an NVQ assessor in one of the following ways:

• written assessment and interview
• practical performance assessment and interview
• written and practical performance assessment and interview
• on-the-job observation and interview
• role-play and interview

National Professional Qualifications Act (ZNPK) determines the procedure and organisations responsible for designing and adopting occupational standards and catalogues of standards of professional knowledge and skills.

Content of measure

A national vocational qualification (NVQ) is a formally recognised work related, competence-based qualification, which reflects the skills and knowledge needed to do a job effectively and shows that a candidate is competent both within a sector and to a certain level of achievement.

The NVQ is intended for youth and adults who seek formal recognition of skills gained outside the normal educational certification. An NVQ is awarded with a certificate as recommended by the Minister of Labour. The system of assessment and certification of NVQs in Slovenia is regulated by the National Professional Qualifications Act (Zakon o nacionalnih poklicnih kvalifikacijah, ZNPK) adopted by the Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs, and Equal Opportunities. This act regulates the procedure and the competent bodies, agencies and organisations for adopting catalogues of standards of professional knowledge and skills, and the conditions and procedures for obtaining NVQs.

Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Vocational Education and Training (Center RS za poklicno izobraževanje, CPI) provides support in developmental, research, implementing and systemic processes that contribute to the quality of vocational education. The National Examinations Centre (Državni izpitni center, RIC) is responsible for the development and management of the NVQ, including choosing assessing bodies and training assessors.

Use of measure

The National Vocational Qualifications database contains around 250 professional qualifications for which candidates can undergo training and assessment. As of the end of 2023, there were 116 external providers offering training to candidates. The examinations are conducted by qualified examiners who hold a license.

By the end of 2023, there were 605 individuals holding 1,609 examiner licenses. In 2023, the National Examinations Centre issued 3,322 certificates (RIC, Annual Report 2023, p. 46).

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Applies to all workers	Does not apply to businesses	Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government	National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	Unknown	Unknown
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• Unknown
• Main level of involvement: Unknown

Involvement

Unknown

Views and reactions

Unknown

Sources

• 15 September 2000: Zakon o nacionalnih poklicnih kvalifikacijah, ZNPK (National Professional Qualifications Act, Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, 1/2007, 85/2009) (www.pisrs.si)
• 28 February 2024: National Examinations Centre (RIC), Annual Report 202 (www.ric.si)
• 03 October 2024: Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Vocational Education and Training (cpi.si)