Part VI: Non-Formal Training by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs

In addition to formal technical and vocational programmes run by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Sciences and Higher Education, non-formal vocational courses are conducted by the Technical and Vocational Training Organization (TVTO) of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. This informal system places emphasis on practical training and upgrading of skills. Theory is considered necessary for teaching practical courses and facilitating learning, and the trainees are awarded a certificate of vocational skills. Duration of these courses is normally less than two years.

The non-formal training imparted can be divided into three categories. First, there are basic and widely applicable skills such as welding, sheet metal, turning, etc., which are normally common in different trades. The second category includes the skills that are similar only in a few factories or industries like auto manufacturing, cement and food industries, etc. The third group involves some highly specialized skills that are only applicable in one factory or industrial unit like the ones needed by Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex, the oil industry’s precision tools and control units, Ministry of Energy, etc.

Basic skills training is within the responsibility of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and is provided by different training centres of the Technical and Vocational Training organization as well as private institutions. These basic courses, in some cases, need certain complementary programmes (training or apprenticeship) at industrial units that are normally sponsored by a related factory.

Training in the skills commonly used by a number of factories is either provided by centres affiliated to such factories or through on-the-job training schemes supervised by TVTO. Highly specific skills courses are held at the user industrial unit, in compliance with the educational criteria.

All candidates who have the physical ability for their required work and satisfy the other conditions are allowed to undergo training.

The minimum age required for undergoing training is 14 years. The minimum educational qualification needed is completion of primary school. However, some of the courses require higher qualifications.

In addition to the trainees trained at the training centres of TVTO, any person who has learned a craft, in some way, and wishes to receive a certificate of skill, may refer to and enrol at TVTO. The applicants may receive the same ‘certificate of skill’ by passing the required theoretical and practical tests.

Table 3 shows the number of training centres and number of courses in the centres in the different provinces.

Table 4 shows the different courses, hours of training and minimum qualification required to undergo the training.

Table 3. Training Centres

Table 4. Different Courses with Duration and Minimum Qualifications