Assessment

The effectiveness of a training imparted is reflected in Assessment of the trained candidate (hereafter referred as Trainee).  The term assessment refers to the wide variety of methods that trainers use to evaluate, measure, and document the readiness, learning progress, and skill acquisition of trainee.  While assessments are often equated with traditional tests, there are diverse array of assessment tools and methods to measure effectiveness of training imparted.  Assessments are also used to identify gaps in training and strengths so that trainers can provide specialized support, if required.  While assessments come in many complex forms, and they are used for a wide variety of purposes, Assessment Protocol is used in evaluating a person to assess if procedures and standards are being followed properly according to set standards. Many governments, institutions and businesses adhere to protocols assessed on a regular basis.

Assessment of Trainees under ISDS

Various Implementing Agencies (IAs) are providing training under ISDS of Ministry of Textiles, Government of India.  In the pilot phase of the ISDS program many of the IAs were using MES courses for training.  And also a lot many IAs were using their own developed courses for training.  For uniform implementation skill development training, there was a need for popular and standardized uniform courses.  These popular and standardized courses are utilized across all training centres run by IAs for imparting training.  In this connection RSA, in consultation with industry has developed and standardized 41 popular courses called RSA courses.  The details of such courses is as below

Sl. No	Segments	No of Modules	Course Duration (Hrs)
1	Spinning	8	300 Each
2	Weaving	9
3	Knitting	2
4	Processing	12
5	Apparels & Made ups	10
6	Technical textiles	0
	Total	41

Once an Implementing Agencies (IAs) completed the training the effectiveness of the training imparted and skill acquired by the trainees is assessed by a third person called ‘Assessor’.  As envisaged above the main objective of the training program under ISDS is to make a NON-WORKING person to a WORKING person. Therefore, it is anticipated that a person after the training is ready to take up the regular work at shop floor level as a skill worker.  Keeping this in mind following objectives for assessment is developed.

Objectives of the Assessment:

a) To see the effectiveness of the training imparted by the way of practical demonstration of Skill acquired.

b) To assess the Proficiency of skills of the trainees based on the standards used by the related industry segment.

c) To see the effectiveness of the training imparted by the way of demonstration of level of transfer of knowledge.

As per the objectives, a trainee after a successful training is expected to practically demonstrate the skill acquired.  He is expected to know basics of machinery for which he is trained and should be proficient with them.  The assessment of the trainees would be conducted by a third party assessment which will facilitated by RSA. 

Assessment Agencies and Assessors

The effectiveness of training provided is examined by an independent third party called Assessor.  The assessment need to be carried out in an unbiased and professional manner.  Considering the target of ISDS under T&C sector there is a need to have a large pool of trained assessors for assessment of trainees being trained by different IAs. It is noted that the batch size in different training centre under any IA is 20. However, there may be more than one training centre under an IA.  Keeping this in mind the RSA decided to empanel professional assessment agencies engaged in assessment activities with large pool of qualified and experienced assessors to conduct assessment across India.

Assessment Agencies

As there is a need to empanel qualified Assessment Agencies for conducting unbiased assessment in a professional manner.  Applications were invited by RSA from experienced and qualified Agencies to be empanelled as “Assessment Agencies”. The criteria for the Assessment Agencies to be empanelled with RSA is as under

• The Applicant shall be a Registered Public Limited/ Private Limited Company/ Registered Society/ Trust/ Association/ Trade Body/ Registered Educational Institution/ University/ Partnership Firm with experience of assessing trainees in textile and clothing in last 5 years. Preference will be given for organizations that are promoting training and assessment for workers in the textile and clothing industry.
• The Applicant should have assessed minimum 500 candidates in total and at least 200 in textile and clothing sector in last 5 years in modules pertaining to vocational skills courses/ modules notified by NCVT/SCVT/Sector Skills Council or conducted under NVEQF or recognized by any state or central government.
• The Applicant shall have on rolls minimum 5 Assessor with relevant qualification in the area of Textiles and Clothing. Individual assessor should have at least 3 years of industry experience preferably training experience with 1 year of assessment experience.
• The Applicant shall provide the information and supporting documents towards their claim.
• Assessment Agencies are expected to have operation in at least two States with track record of operating minimum 12 Centers in Textiles and Clothing Sector. 

Based on the selection criteria each successful application agencies will be given provisional empanelment.  Once empanelled, the name of Assessment Agencies and Accredited Assessors will be displayed on website of both Textiles Committee (www.textilescommittee.gov.in) and MIS of Ministry of Textiles, Government of India (www.isds-textiles.in). Implementing Agencies can opt for any of these Assessment Agencies from the options offered to them for the purpose of assessment of their trainees during each batch.