Establishing professional competency standards will facilitate talent development and narrow the gaps in learning, training and employment, Premier Jiang Yi-huah told officials today at the Executive Yuan Council meeting.
After hearing a report from the Council of Labor Affairs (CLA) on the government's progress in promoting skill assessment and supporting skill competitions, he asked the related agencies to establish professional competency standards within one year. The CLA will help coordinate the different standards and scopes of evaluation put forward by them.
The premier cited Article 18 of the Act for Industrial Innovation, which provides that "the central government authorities in charge of end enterprises may formulate industrial human resources professional competency standards and issue capability appraisal certificates in line with the needs of industrial development."
Jiang said the Ministry of Economic Affairs has already established standards for its field, and that the Ministry of Culture and the Council of Agriculture are in the process of devising their own. He also commended the CLA for its efforts—it has created 218 certification items and issued 6.08 million capability appraisal certificates so far, and each year processes some 750,000 certification applications.
Competency standards refer to the abilities needed to work in a particular industry, while skill assessment tests a person's technical competence for the job, Jiang explained. Creating such a system will give certified individuals an advantage in finding employment, match certificates with competency, and raise the skill level of industries. Jiang directed the CLA and the related ministries to study the legal requirements for setting up a technical certification system.
As for skill competitions, Jiang congratulated a CLA-sponsored delegation for taking the third most medals at this year's WorldSkills Competition held in Germany—Taiwan's best performance in 15 years.
"Skill competitions give people the opportunity to learn and exchange experiences. When we participate in international events, we can showcase Taiwan's outstanding talent and demonstrate what we are capable of achieving," he said.
Jiang said the government should give contestants the best training resources and provide the latest information on competitions. He also asked the CLA to encourage more businesses to get involved in international competitions, such as by donating materials and equipment or sponsoring contestants. Developing talent and passing on skills will raise the competitiveness of Taiwan's industries, he added.