NACTE has defined and established awards in technical education and training known as National Technical Awards (NTA). The NTA are competence-based and are designed to testify that the holder of the award is able to apply competently the knowledge and skills described in the relevant occupational sector. The seven NTA Levels of NACTE are linked to the three VETA system of awards known as National Vocation Awards (NVA) to provide a ten-level framework of TVET qualifications. Each of the NTA level has a broad competence level descriptor as follows:
| NTA Level |
Minimum Overall Credits | Minimum Credits from current Level | Award | Competence Level descriptors |
| NTA Level 4 | 120 | 120 | Basic Technician Certificate | Apply knowledge and skills at routine level |
| NTA Level 5 | 120 | 120 | Technician Certificate | Apply knowledge and skills in a range of activities, some of which are non-routine and be able to assume some operational responsibilities |
| NTA Level 6 | 240 | 120 | Ordinary Diploma | Apply knowledge and skills in broad range of work activities, most of which are non- routine |
| NTA Level 7 | 360 | 360 | Higher Diploma | Apply knowledge, skills and understanding in a range of complex technical activities, high degree of personal responsibility and some responsibility for the work of other |
| NTA Level 8 | 480 | 120 | Bachelor Degree | Apply knowledge, skills and understanding in wide and unpredictable variety of contexts with substantial personal responsibility, responsibility for the work of others and responsibility for the allocation of resources, policy, planning, execution and evaluation |
| NTA Level 9 | 180 | 150 | Master’s degree | The holder of the qualification will be able to display mastery of a complex and specialised area of knowledge and skills, employing knowledge and understanding to conduct research or advanced technical or professional activity, able to work autonomously and in complex and unpredictable situations |
| NTA Level 10 | 540 | 360 | Doctorate | The holder of the qualification will be able to apply knowledge and understanding and do advanced research resulting into significant and original contributions to a specialised field, demonstrate a command of methodological issues and engaging in critical dialoguewith peers, able to work autonomously and in complex and unpredictable situations. |