These are the Regional benchmarks or specifications of expected work performance developed by the Caribbean Association of National Training Agencies (CANTA) and approved by CARICOM. These standards provide the basis for the curriculum materials used in the instructional setting of schools preparing candidates for the CVQ.

Preparation in schools requires the collaboration of The Ministry of Education and the Ministry/Agency responsible for Industrial training, and CXC. The Ministry of Education has the responsibility for translating the approved standards into appropriate curriculum, equipping the schools with the required resources and training teachers for delivery of programs in secondary schools. The teachers/assessors should be well qualified and be knowledgeable about the world of work. There should also be sufficient numbers of teachers/assessors available to ensure adequate monitoring. Facilities should have up-to-date equipment and the required technologies, or candidates should be exposed through job experience. The delivery methods should allow for a maximum learning effect. Career guidance should be available from the beginning of the learner’s training, until the end of the training when guidance should be available in seeking employment.

National Training Agencies (NTAs) are expected to interact closely with the schools. The agencies help to orient staff to the approaches in assessing competency. They also provide a necessary link to the industry sector so that students benefit from sufficient practical and theoretical elements throughout the training program. The NTAs conduct the facility audit at each school before the program of instruction commences and supply qualified personnel who function as external verifiers.

The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC), as mandated by the Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) XV, is the awarding body of the CVQ to students in secondary schools throughout the region. CXC’s prime responsibility is quality assurance.