QA:AGS/LPC FETAC Presentation 0908 Quality in FETAC Communicate Information to Learners National Qualifications Framework Further Education and Training Awards Council -Access, Transfer and Progression- Programme Co-ordinators September 2008 Dun Laoghaire VEC Adult Guidance Service

Quality in FETAC Communicate information to Learners including Access, Transfer and Progression Enable learners to: Make informed choices regarding the programme(s) on offer Make informed choices regarding the programme(s) on offer Recognise prior learning Recognise prior learning Successfully participate in a programme Successfully participate in a programme Enable learners to transfer or progress to another programme within the National Framework of Qualifications Enable learners to transfer or progress to another programme within the National Framework of Qualifications

AGS and FETAC QA To provide information on FETAC: To provide information on FETAC: 1. Impartial adult education information on local, regional and national adult education 2. Contact point for queries relating to the value of FETAC components/awards Provide tailored guidance to individuals and groups: Provide tailored guidance to individuals and groups: Adult Literacy, Community Education, including Back to Education Initiative and former residents of designated institutions

Information Session Information Session National Qualifications Framework overview National Qualifications Framework overview FETAC overview FETAC overview Composition of FETAC 3 & 4 Awards Composition of FETAC 3 & 4 Awards Progression within FETAC Progression within FETAC Flexibility and Rules Flexibility and Rules Practical Examples Practical Examples Progression beyond FETAC Progression beyond FETAC Adult Guidance Resource Adult Guidance Resource

The National Framework of Qualifications – award-types and awarding bodies

National Qualifications Framework The National Framework of Qualifications launched in October 2003 is defined as: The National Framework of Qualifications launched in October 2003 is defined as: “The single, nationally and internationally accepted entity, through which all learning achievements may be measured and related to each other in a coherent way and which defines the relationship between all education and training awards” (NQAI, 2003) “The single, nationally and internationally accepted entity, through which all learning achievements may be measured and related to each other in a coherent way and which defines the relationship between all education and training awards” (NQAI, 2003)

National Qualifications Framework (and new European Framework) Objectives included: Objectives included: –To bring transparency to the qualifications system –To ensure learners and other stakeholders are able to relate awards to each other –To enhance learner mobility at a national and abroad

Based on a learning outcomes approach Based on a learning outcomes approach A set of learning outcomes are defined at each Level - what a learner would be expected to achieve to get an Award at that Level A set of learning outcomes are defined at each Level - what a learner would be expected to achieve to get an Award at that Level Each Level is determined by standards of: Each Level is determined by standards of: –Knowledge - what a person knows –Skills - what a person can do –Competence - what a person understands National Qualifications Framework (and new European Quality Framework)

What is FETAC? Nationally recognised system of qualifications (6 Levels) Nationally recognised system of qualifications (6 Levels) Standard Standard Flexible alternative Flexible alternative Takes place in different centres of learning Recognises that learning takes place throughout life Recognises that learning takes place throughout life

All providers offering FETAC Awards are required to have a QA system agreed with FETAC All providers offering FETAC Awards are required to have a QA system agreed with FETAC Positive development in the context of the ad-hoc development of the Irish Adult/Further Education sector Positive development in the context of the ad-hoc development of the Irish Adult/Further Education sector Establishes codes of good practice Establishes codes of good practice Learner centred Learner centred FETAC – Quality Assurance

FETAC Further Education and Training Awards Council What is FETAC? New system of awards for education New system of awards for education Made up of 6 Levels Made up of 6 Levels Flexible alternative to Junior Cert and Leaving Certificates Flexible alternative to Junior Cert and Leaving Certificates Recognises that we learn throughout life Recognises that we learn throughout life

FETAC options are offered locally Adult and Community Education offers certification at Level 1,2,3 and 4 Adult and Community Education offers certification at Level 1,2,3 and 4 Can offer optional components at level 5 leading to a major award at 3 and 4. SKILLVEC is Major Level 5 Programme Can offer optional components at level 5 leading to a major award at 3 and 4. SKILLVEC is Major Level 5 Programme Local Colleges of Further Education generally offer FETAC certification at Levels 5 and 6 Local Colleges of Further Education generally offer FETAC certification at Levels 5 and 6

FETAC AWARDS  Minor Award Recognition for each unit of learning (component) e.g. Computer Literacy, Communications  Major Award Recognition for a complete set of learning units /components Recognition for a complete set of learning units /components eg Level 3 Award in General Learning eg Level 3 Award in General Learning Level 4 Award in General Vocational Studies Level 4 Award in General Vocational Studies Level 5 Certificate in Childcare Level 5 Certificate in Childcare

GUIDE: page 19 FETAC Level 3 Major Award Certificate in General Learning 3 Core Components + 5 Elective Components Mathematics 3 Communications 3 Personal Effectiveness 3 Total 8 Credits

GUIDE: page 19 FETAC Level 4 Major Award 4 Core4 Elective Communications 4 Personal Effectiveness 4 Mathematics 4 IT Skills 4 Total 8 Credits

Core and Elective Components at Level 3 and 4 Each Award is made up of core and elective components Each Award is made up of core and elective components Core Components Core Components Essential for a Major award Level 3: Communications, Maths, Personal Effectiveness/Pers Interpers Skills Level 3: Communications, Maths, Personal Effectiveness/Pers Interpers Skills Level4: Communications, Maths, PE/PI Skills, Information Technology Skills  Elective / Vocational Components Chosen to add to core components to make up a full award e.g. Computer Literacy, Data Entry, Living in a Diverse Society

CREDITS FOR LEARNING Each component awarded carries a value - a Credit (usually 1 credit) Each component awarded carries a value - a Credit (usually 1 credit) 8 Credits are needed for a Major Award 8 Credits are needed for a Major Award Credits are also awarded for certain Junior Cert and Leaving Cert Subjects and for the ECDL Credits are also awarded for certain Junior Cert and Leaving Cert Subjects and for the ECDL

Flexibility It is possible to: Mix and match components across levels (within certain rules) Mix and match components across levels (within certain rules) Move to a higher level without completing Major Award at current level Move to a higher level without completing Major Award at current level

Component Credits at Level 3 and 4 A Component is worth : 1 credit at its own level.5 credit at the next level up.5 credit at the next level up 2 credits at the lower level 4 credits at the next lower level Contact Adult Guidance Service for queries relating to the value of FETAC components or awards

Some Rules 1You must complete minimum of 4 components at whatever level of award you are working towards and a total of 8 credits.

Some Rules 2You can carry forward 2 credits (max) from one level to the next

Some Rules 3Level 3 components cannot be used as credits at Level 5

Some Rules Core component (eg Communications, Maths,) cannot be used as credits at higher FETAC level Core component (eg Communications, Maths,) cannot be used as credits at higher FETAC level Core components can be used as credits at lower levels Core components can be used as credits at lower levels eg: can use Communications Level 4 to give 2 credits at Level 3

Some Rules Credits gained at Level 2 cannot be transferred to Level 3 Credits gained at Level 2 cannot be transferred to Level 3

GUIDE: page 19 FETAC Level 3 Major Award composed of all level 3 components 3 Core Components + 5 Elective Components Mathematics 3 Communications 3 Personal Effectiveness 3 Total 8 Credits

GUIDE: page 19 FETAC Level 3 Major Award composed of component level mixing 8 Credits with 4 achieved at level 3 8 Credits with 4 achieved at level Mathematics 3 Communications 3 Personal Effectiveness 3 Total 8 Credits 2 Computer Literacy 3 Caring for children 4 Chid Development and Play 4

GUIDE: page 19 FETAC Level 3 Major Award with component level mixing 8 Credits with 4 achieved at level 3 8 Credits with 4 achieved at level Mathematics 3 Communications 3 Personal Effectiveness 3 Total 8 Credits 4 Irish 3 Special Needs Assistant 5

GUIDE: page 19 FETAC Level 4 Major Award CoreElective Communications 4 Personal Effectiveness 4 Mathematics 4 IT Skills 4 Example: 2 credits at level 3 = 1 credit at level 4 1 credit at level 5 = 2 credits at level 4

30 FETAC Level 4 Major Award 8 credits with 7 achieved at level 4 CoreElective Communications 4 Personal Effectiveness 4 Mathematics 4 IT Skills 4 Living in a Diverse Society 3 Computer Literacy 3.5

31 FETAC Level 5 Major Award in Childcare - Vocational 2 General Components + Vocational 1 Work ExperienceComponents 1 Work ExperienceComponents General Studies 2 Communications (General Studies 1) Work Experience 4 compulsory Caring for children 0-6 Working in Childcare Child Development Early Childhood Education One elective vocational component

FETAC and the Higher Education Links Scheme (HELS) Full FETAC awards at Levels 5 and 6 may feed into related courses in Institutes of Technology and Universities Full FETAC awards at Levels 5 and 6 may feed into related courses in Institutes of Technology and Universities Places are reserved for FETAC applicants Places are reserved for FETAC applicants Offers more progression options Offers more progression options

FETAC Levels 1 and 2 Work in development Work in development 30 Credit system 30 Credit system

Resource Pack for Co-ordinators Copy of Presentation notes Copy of Presentation notes Supply of AGS Directories Supply of AGS Directories FETAC table and Fan – laminated FETAC table and Fan – laminated FETAC 3 Visual FETAC 3 Visual FETAC 4 Visual FETAC 4 Visual FETAC 3 list of component options FETAC 3 list of component options FETAC 4 list of component options FETAC 4 list of component options

Guidance Resources Local Programme Co-ordinator sessions Local Programme Co-ordinator sessions Learner Programme Group/individual Sessions Learner Programme Group/individual Sessions Information Officer and Library Information Officer and Library AGS Directory AGS Directory ‘Updates’ link ‘Updates’ link Fact Sheets Fact Sheets ‘Discover Guidance’ News ‘Discover Guidance’ News Pamphlets – including learner stories Pamphlets – including learner stories

CONTACTS: Adult Guidance Service: Reception /6 Carolann Duggan Deirdre Eoin Websites for details of how to apply for credit of certification issued by other recognised bodies