Students in technical and vocational training will keep a single record that follows them between institutions, under a new Education Ministry system designed to match programmes to labour market needs.

The Technical and Vocational Education and Training Management Information System (TVET MIS), launched on Monday, brings several administrative functions onto one platform. It allows institutions and the Ministry to manage information on students, staff, assessments, resources and programme performance.

During a demonstration, Head of the Ministry's Management Information Systems Unit Phil Mingle showed that 29 public and private institutions are already listed on the platform. He said each student will be assigned a unique identification number, so training records follow them if they transfer to another institution or return to training after a break.

Beyond individual records, the system will give administrators a clearer view of enrolment, attendance, assessment results and progress towards certification. Its inventory management function will also help institutions monitor the equipment and other resources they need to deliver programmes.

Deputy Chief Education Officer for TVET Dr Ritesh Tularam said the platform will allow the Ministry to follow a trainee from application and registration through to completion of training and certification.

He said the system will also strengthen links between training institutions and employers. Private-sector stakeholders can use it to share information about the skills and workers they need and available job opportunities, which institutions can then use to assess whether their programmes match current industry requirements.

The platform will also support the monitoring of assessments and verification. This includes tracking whether internal and external verifiers have submitted their reports and whether trainees have the materials, tools and equipment needed to complete their programmes.

Education Minister Sonia Parag said the information collected must be used to guide decisions and identify where institutions and programmes need improvement. She said reliable data will be important in strengthening the quality of technical and vocational training.

Ms Parag said the Ministry is also expanding access to TVET across the country. A contract was recently signed for a TVET centre in Region Eight, which will bring coverage to all 10 administrative regions, and further plans include TVET laboratories in secondary schools and better facilities and equipment for students.

She stressed that technical and vocational education should not be seen as inferior to the academic pathway, but as another route to recognised skills and employment.

To support the rollout, the Ministry has begun uploading institutional information and training principals and information technology officers to use the platform. Data-entry clerks have also been assigned to institutions to help with the process.