Registered Provider Information
Providers of further education and training register with FETAC by agreement of their quality assurance policies and procedures in order to offer FETAC awards to learners. A diverse range of providers, publicly and privately funded, offer programmes leading to FETAC awards at levels 1 to 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).
Protection for Learners
Providers are reminded that Protection for Learner (PFL) arrangements are required for each programme offered which is longer than three months in duration and on a commercial basis. These arrangements must be approved by FETAC before validation is completed, prior to the commencement of the programme. Providers without PFL when required are in breach of their Terms and Conditions of Registration with FETAC. Queries on PFL should be directed to qa@fetac.ie.
Self-Evaluation
Self-evaluation by providers is a key policy and procedure to be implemented as part of the ongoing implementation of quality assurance. Completed reports on self evaluation should be submitted to qa@fetac.ie for monitoring and review.
Five Year Review
Due to the pending amalgamation of FETAC, HETAC, NQAI and IUQB and the development by the new agency of quality assurance guidelines and registration criteria the timetable for the five year review is to be extended. Providers are advised to continue their internal monitoring and review of policies and procedures to ensure evidence of effective implementation is available at a later date.
Monitoring of Providers
FETAC continues to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the provider’s quality system to ensure the integrity of FETAC awards. FETAC policy on monitoring published in March 2006, sets out how FETAC will support provider systems - including provider quality assurance, programme validation and assessment of learners - by monitoring and reporting on their effectiveness as implemented. Monitoring activity comprises monitoring of providers procedures and site visits to a representative sample of providers. Providers are contacted individually about monitoring activity.
FETAC monitoring works in partnership with providers to maintain and improve the quality of programmes and services to learners. Providers' Quality Assurance systems are monitored to ensure and protect the integrity of awards. Completed individual monitoring reports for site visits are published on the FETAC website to disseminate findings and promote good practice among providers.
Further information on monitoring of providers is available at Monitoring.