1. FETAC Level 4

2. The CAS (Common Award System)
FETAC introduced a range of new awards developed through the Common Awards System. These awards are available to all registered providers, i.e. those who have agreed their quality assurance with FETAC.

3. A national approach at Level 4
For Levels 1, 2 and 3, VECs wrote their own programmes.
VECs around the country wrote the new Level 4 and 5 programmes for sharing.
The old Level 4 and many Level 5 modules will be deactivated in December 2012.
The new Level 4 and 5 programmes are now ready for sharing across the VECs.

4. Level 2 and Level 3
It is envisaged that Level 2 will be available nationally in December 2012.
Writing will commence in September. Co. Cavan VEC will be part of this process.
Level 3 programmes will also be made available nationally (this process has started).

5. Level 4 - The process
Meetings – different VECs were given different components to write
Writing took place
Programmes went up on the FESS website for consultation
Comments fed back to all VECs
Programmes amended as necessary
Went back up for consultation
The process was made available through FESS
Different VECs evaluated programmes
All programmes were put through the PAA process

6. Co. Cavan VEC
We wrote: Understanding interculturalism, Data Entry and Business English
We wrote the programme information for the Security Skills Major Award
The writing team: Mary McKenna, Michael Donohoe, Kevin Farrelly, Janna Tiearney
Cavan Institute wrote several security programmes

7. Level 4 Major Awards
*See breakdown of major awards. ( ed to you separately)
General Learning
ICT Skills
Early Childhood Education and Care Support
Retail Skills
Horticulture
Private Security Services
Employment Skills
Hotel Front Office
Office Skills
Culinary Skills
Engineering Skills (not on the sheet)
* Sport and Recreation is still being written

8. The different awards All major awards have a value of 90 credits.
Every major award has core components.
*See breakdown of major awards

9. Credit values Components are either 5, 10 or 15 credits.
1 credit = 10 hours learning (directed and self-directed study)

10. Where to find the programmes
Certificate and component specifications can be found on
Programmes will be available on the website: from Friday 13th July
(Will soon also be available on FBS, details will be ed to all)

11. The certificate specification
*See ‘Employability Skills’ certificate specification as an example:
This includes:
General information
Knowledge, skill and competence
Certificate requirement

12. The component specification
See ‘Work Experience’ component specification as an example:
This includes:
General information
Learning outcomes
Assessment techniques

13. The programmes
*See ‘Work Experience’ programme as an example: (attached in your )
Each programme contains:
General information
Aims and objectives
Learning outcomes
Indicative content
Assessment
Marking sheets

14. Work Experience – 4N1168 The programme includes:
Introduction / General Information
Title of the programme (may differ from the component title)
Name / Code / Duration / Credit value / Status / Special Requirements
Aims and objectives
Learning outcomes - 10

15. Work Experience – 4N1168
Indicative content: states a minimum of ten days / 70 hours work experience
Many of the Level 4 programmes are divided into sections:
Section 1: General Work-Related Information
Section 2: Planning and Preparation for the Work Placement
Section 3: The Work Placement
Section 4: Reviewing the Work Placement and Future Planning

16. Assessment – Collection of work
60%
To include:
A personal audit
A summary of potential employment and learning opportunities
A CV
A letter of application

17. Assessment – Skills Demonstration
40%
To include:
Work Experience Employer Report ( document available at the end of the programme)
Learner Account of Work Experience

18. Marking Sheet
Allocation of marks may be more specific than the old modules.
The marking sheets for some components are quite detailed in the new Level 4.

19. Old modules
A deactivation date means that as and from that date, providers will no longer be able to enter learners for certification using the named award
Learners may carry forward existing minor awards (components) as exemptions towards new common major and special purpose awards, where they are appropriate, until December 2014.

20. Programme Review
The programme will be reviewed annually. The review process will adhere to Co. Cavan VEC’s Quality Assurance Policy, B5 Programme Development, Delivery and Review and associated procedures.
Any comments and/or suggestions by tutors will be welcome.

21. Training in September Level 4 training – September 4th
This will centre around tutor packs, to include:
Assessment briefs
Assessment samples
Solutions
Marking schemes