1. Walter Balfe QQI, Quality Assurance March 2017
Re-Engagement / QA Approval Private/Independent providers providing programmes leading to QQI awards
Walter Balfe
QQI, Quality Assurance
March 2017
February 2017

2. Re-engagement What? Why? Who? How? When? Which? How much?
February 2017

3. What? Re-engagement is Re-engagement is not
to establish provider quality assurance procedures approved under the 2012 Act
for all providers whose QA was agreed with either HETAC or FETAC
already under way with public ‘obligatory’ providers
a significant under-taking, for both providers and QQI
about improving quality processes at the institutional level
to establish scope of approval for each provider
to establish regular reporting system
being tested as a process before going live
Re-engagement is not
institutional review
revalidation
February 2017

5. Why? QA capacity and systems have evolved Continuous improvement
Higher expectations
Dependencies
Institutional review
Initial delegation of authority
Clarify Scope of Approval
Establish baseline for ongoing reporting system
Test consortia option
March 2017

6. Who? Independent Providers 442 Independent FET Providers 408
Certificates 2016
88,121
Majors 2016
3,926
March 2017

7. Which? Providers to volunteer or be invited into pilot
‘Live’ process to begin asap after pilot
Providers to be given target date for submission of application
Sequencing to be in accordance with factors identified in Reengagement Policy
Date of original agreement with FETAC / HETAC
Risk factors – volume, scope, etc.
Participation of peers will enhance and speed the process
February 2017

8. How? Gap analysis against current QQI Guidelines Address the gaps
Application
Application form – provider information
Self-Assessment Report
QA Procedures
Evaluation by peers
Report
QQI Decision
February 2017

9. New QA Guidelines – Core & Sector Specific
Governance and Management of Quality
Documented Approach to QA
Programmes of Education & Training
Development and approval
Learner admission, progression and recognition
Programme monitoring and review
Staff Recruitment, Management and Development
Teaching and Learning
Assessment of Learners
Supports for Learners
Protection for Enrolled Learners
Information and Data Management
Public Information and Communication
Other Parties involved in Education and Training
Self-Evaluation, Monitoring and Review
March 2017

10. When? Pilot phase begins now ‘Live’ process to begin asap after pilot
Providers to be given target date for application
February 2017

11. How Much? Proposed Fees – based on QA Approval for new providers
Once off fee
Graduated scale based on range of validated programmes
Providers with one or more
Validated programmes (major awards) at NFQ L4 – L6 €4,000
Validated programmes (non-major awards only ) at NFQ L4 – L6 €2,500
Validated programmes at NFQ L1 – L3 €2,000
Any provider will only pay one fee
March 2017

12. Process
February 2017