Placing FETAC Awards on the National Framework of Qualifications
FETAC was established in 2001 as the single awarding body for all further education and training in Ireland. FETAC replaced a range of awarding bodies, including the awarding functions of FÁS, the National Council for Vocational Awards, Failte Ireland (formerly CERT or NTCB), Teagasc and Bord Iascaigh Mhara. FETAC has responsibility for awards at levels 1-6 of the ten step framework. The National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) makes it easier to understand how different qualifications relate to each other and what each signifies in terms of skills, knowledge, or competence. It clearly sets out possible progression options for each level of award.
Awards issued before 2001 by any of these bodies were aligned and placed on the NFQ to protect their currency. The placement process was an agreed transparent method to ensure the continued value of some 319 awards at the appropriate level of the framework.