The Further Education and Training Context in Ireland

Irish Further Education and Training system – key partners

Department of Education and Skills

Qualifications and Quality Ireland

(QQI)

Higher Education Authority/

HE providers

16 Education and Training Boards

(ETBs)

SOLAS

Further education and training

authority

Est in 2013. Funds co-ordinates and monitors FET provision by ETBs behalf of Department of

Education and Skills.

Est. in 2013 - 16 ETBs the primary providers of state

funded FET .

Oversight and Policy

Est. in 2012, validate education and training programmes and make extensive awards in the

further education and training sector including in the Education and Training Boards maintains the

ten-level NFQ an awarding body in their own right

While ETBs are the main providers of SOLAS-funded FET …..

ETBs are statutory education authorities and manage and operate second-level schools, further education colleges, community national schools and a range of adult and further education centres delivering education and training programmes.

Total Projected Expenditure for FET in 2016

€634.436m

• €553m SOLAS grants to 16 ETBs • €2.5m for Capital costs.

• €66.7m (including €32m pensions legacy) • E-College courses.

FET at Levels 1-6 or equivalent on the National Framework of Qualifications

A range of other entities involved in FET; • Teagasc (farming) • BIM (marine) • Skillnets (employer clusters). • A host of private sector providers.

National Policy Framework for FET

Policy Synergies

EU agenda • Excellence in VET • Lifelong learning for lifelong

employability • Internationalisation

Skills agenda, the ‘Triple Helix’, Workplace Learning, Workforce Development, Basic Skills, Transversal Skills

National Skills Strategy • Development of relevant

skills (learners, society and economy)

• Employer participation • Quality provision: quality

outcomes, evaluation • Lifelong learning • Active inclusion • Supply of skills to Labour

Market

SOLAS

FET Strategy

Vision for FET

‘… to ensure the provision of 21st century high-quality FET programmes and services to learners, employees and employers…

Goals

• Skills for the Economy

• Active Inclusion

• Quality Provision

• Integrated Planning and Funding

• Standing of FET

Further Education and Training Strategy 2014-2019

Skills

Economic growth

Insulator

v

unemployment

Social

Inclusion &

Social

Mobility

‘SMART’

economy

Employment growth

Skills Identification - Evolving National Architecture

EGFSN/SOLAS

Regional Labour Markets

Bulletin 2015

www.skillsireland.ie

SOLAS Occupational Employment

Projections 2020

www.solas.ie

EGFSN/SOLAS

Vacancy Overview 2015

EGFSN/SOLAS

National Skills Bulletin 2015

EGFSN/SOLAS Monitoring Ireland’s

Skills Supply 2015

• New National Skills Council to oversee research, forecasting and prioritisation of skills needs in the economy.

• Regional Skills Fora across the country.

• Expert Group on Future Skill s Needs (EGFSN) mandate to be updated.

• 50,000 Apprenticeship and Traineeship places to be supported over the period to 2020.

• Further Education and Training and Higher Education providers to produce employability statements for courses.

Scale of SOLAS funded FET

22,000+ courses 270,000+ places

National Course National Learner

National Course

Calendar

Furt

her

Ed

uca

tio

n a

nd

Tra

inin

g Further

Education

(FE) T

Full-time

PLC Courses - 34,000

Youthreach - 3,200

VTOS - 5,600

Part-time

Back to Education Initiative - 31,600

Adult Literacy - 41,600

Community Education - 53,100

ESOL - 11,000

OTHER: youth provision, arts education, co-operation hours - 14,000

Training

(VT) E

Training mostly for learners <25 years

Apprenticeship - 7,100

Community Training Centre - 2,400

Training for the

unemployed

Traineeship -- 5,700

Specific Skills Training - 19,700

Momentum - 6,500

Local Training Initiative - 4,500

Other training

eCollege - 9,700

Evening/blended learning courses - 22,800

Other: bridging/foundation, justice workshops, specialist training providers, and libraries training - 6500

Skills 4 Work - 3,200

What are the main FET programmes?

Programme

Target groups Objective(s)

Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) Courses

Students completing secondary education and adult returners (including the unemployed)

General education, vocational training and work experience leading to stable, full-time employment. Major awards (Levels 5-6)

Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS)

The adult unemployed (over 21), particularly the low skilled, long-term unemployed and disadvantaged

Full-time education/training leading to major awards and then employment or progression (Levels 3-5)

Youthreach

Early school leavers until age 20 Opportunity outside of main school system to acquire major awards leading to further study/training or employment (Levels 3-4)

Education Initiative (BTEI)

Individuals (16 years plus) and groups at risk of social exclusion) for whom a full-time engagement in formal learning is a particular barrier

Return part-time to FET to gain minor awards in areas of core skills competencies that aid progression or employment (Levels 3-5)

ESOL People, including those in work and those unemployed, lacking functional competence in English language

English language competence sufficient for living and working in Ireland

Community Education

Individuals and groups at risk of social exclusion seeking community involvement and/or certified learning

Build confidence and impart core skills in informal and non-formal learning environments (Levels 1- 3)

Back to Education Initiative (BTEI) Individuals (16 years plus) and groups at risk of social exclusion) for whom a full-time engagement in formal learning is a particular barrier

Return part-time to FET to gain minor awards in areas of core skills and key competencies that aid progression or employment (Levels 3-5)

Adult Literacy ...variants

People inside and outside the labour force with literacy/ numeracy difficulties

Achieve literacy/numeracy and progress to wider, deeper learning. When accredited, Levels 1-3

Programme Target groups Objective(s)

Apprenticeships Aged 16 and over with completed Junior Certificate, and other career entrants, who find employment with a SOLAS approved employer

Advanced (National Craft) Certificate, Level 6, leading to employment in 1 of 26 designated trades

Traineeships Unemployed primarily

Occupational skills development combining formal ETB training and workplace coaching with an employer. Certification, Level 5, dominant

Specific Skills Training Unemployed primarily

Training and certification (Levels 4- 5 dominant, also 6) for identified job opportunities

Momentum (SOLAS managed on behalf of Department of Education and Skills

The long-term unemployed only referred by Department of Social Protection

Incentivise providers (public, private, non-profit) to bring LTU to acquire in-demand skills. Certification Levels 5-6 (3-6 for under 25s)

SOLAS managed e-College Unemployed primarily

On-line provision plus tutor support for the computer literate available anywhere, anytime

ETB Evening Training Unemployed primarily

Short up-skilling modules leading to a range of awards from Levels 3-6

Community Training Centres Early school leavers aged 16-21

Personal and social skills development leading to employment or progression to mainstream learning (individualised learning plans).

Specialist Training Providers Persons with disabilities seeking employment

Intensive, tailored training provision and supports

Local Training Initiatives Unemployed aged 18-35 experiencing personal, social or geographic disadvantage

Personal and social skills development leading to employment or progression to mainstream learning (individualised learning plans)

Profile of FET 2016 Number of Beneficiaries

Agriculture, Horticulture and Mariculture 4,344

Animal Science 2,011

Art, Craft and Media 27,129

Built Environment 9,234

Business, Admin & Management 35,665

Financial Services 2,639

Food and Beverage 3,101

General Learning 161,135

Hairdressing, Beauty and Complementary Therapies 10,928

Health, Family other Social Services 53,638

Information Technology 36,576

Manufacturing 8,931

Natural Resources 902

Sales & Marketing 2,347

Sampling Skills 4,193

Science and Technology 2,664

Tourism and Sport 9,125

Transport, Distribution & Logistics 4,738

Not Assigned 1,900

Total 369,523

SOLAS

Construction

Brick and stonelaying. Carpentry and joinery. Floor and wall tiling. Painting and decorating. Plastering. Plumbing. Wood manufacturing and finishing.

Electrical

Electrician. Instrumentation.

Electrical instrumentation. Refrigeration and air conditioning.

Aircraft mechanics. Electronic security systems.

Motor

Agricultural mechanics. Construction plant fitting. Heavy vehicle mechanics.

Motor mechanics. Vehicle body repairs.

Engineering

Mechanical automation and maintenance fitting.

Metal fabrication. Sheet metal work.

Toolmaking. Industrial insulation.

Farriery.

Printing

Print media

Apprenticeship - Existing

SOLAS

Occupational Cluster Number

Manufacturing and Engineering 24

Build Environment 12

Tourism and Sport 10

Financial Services 10

Arts Craft and Media 8

Information Technology 6

Transport Distribution and Logistics 6

Business Administration and Management 4

Agriculture, Horticulture Marine and Farming 3

Natural Resources 2

Sales and Marketing 1

Total 86

New Apprenticeships - Overview of Submissions Received

SOLAS

Award Level Number Percentage

No Recommended Award 5 6%

Level 5 9 10%

Level 6 Advanced Certificate 20 23%

Level 6 Higher Certificate 31 35%

Level 7 14 16%

Level 8 5 6%

Level 9 4 4%

Total 88* 100%

Overview of Proposed Award Levels

SOLAS

Examples of New Apprenticeships being considered

Proposer: Accounting Technicians Ireland; Higher apprenticeship in accountancy Proposer: Association of Craft Butchers of Ireland; Butchery and fresh food retail Proposer: Combilift; OEM Technician Proposer: Dawson Travel; Travel professional Proposer: Donegal ETB: Advanced craft welder Proposer: Donegal ETB; Craft welder Proposer: Eircom; Telecommunications field technician Proposer: Fasttrack to IT; Network engineering Proposer: Fasttrack to IT; Software developer Proposer: Financial Services Ireland; International financial services generalist Proposer: Financial Services Ireland; International financial services specialist Proposer: Financial Services Ireland; International financial services advanced specialist Proposer: Flour Confectionary and Bakers Association; Baker Proposer: Irish Hotels Federation & Restaurants Association of Ireland; Commis chef Proposer: Irish Medical Device Association; Manufacturing engineer Proposer: Irish Medical Device Association; Manufacturing technician Proposer: Irish Road Haulage Association; HGV driver Proposer: IT Tralee; Sous chef Proposer: IT Tralee; Chef de partie Proposer: IT Tralee; Commis chef Proposer: IT Tralee; Executive chef Proposer: Limerick IOT; Field service engineer – Electrical technology Proposer: National Institute of Transport and Logistics; Warehouse and distribution operative Proposer: Plastics Ireland; Polymer processing technician Proposer: Zurich Insurance; General insurance practitioner.

Aiming to achieve;

• Quality FET provision not more provision

• Improved strategic planning

• Integration of FET

• Learners’ Forum

• Progression from and between FET and HE

• Asserting place of L5 and L6 (skills mismatch)

Annual FET Services Plan (2016)

http://www.solas.ie/SolasPdfLibrary/FET%20Services%20Plan%202016.pdf

Thank You