Programme Validation
Every programme leading to a common award must be validated by FETAC prior to commencing. Only registered providers, who have agreed quality assurance systems with FETAC may submit programmes for validation.
Preparing a programme for submission to FETAC for validation requires implementation of agreed quality assurance systems, in particular, Sections B4, 5 and 6.
Providers submitting programmes for validation must attend a briefing session . For levels 1 and 2, briefing sessions are organised by the Further Education Support Service. For levels 3-6, briefing sessions are organised by FETAC. See Briefings for details of the next available briefing session.
Following attendance at the briefings, applications must be made by using the appropriate application form.
If a major award is being offered then the Major Application Form is appropriate.
If a Special Purpose, Supplemental or Minor award is being offered, then the Express Application Form is appropriate.
These forms are provided for information purposes only. Actual application forms are only issued directly to providers on request. This is because applications for validation are made at provider level only. Following attendance at a briefing, a provider may request an application form directly from FETAC by sending an email to validation@fetac.ie
FETAC has developed guidelines for providers to assist in preparing for programme validation. These are:
Programme Validation Levels 1 and 2: Provider Guidelines
Guidelines for Preparing Programme Descriptors
Validated Programmes
Summary details of programmes that have been validated by FETAC can be viewed in the following registers:
Validated programmes level 1 and 2
Validated programmes level 3 - 6
Shared Programmes
A shared programme is a programme that is developed by a consortium for sharing by a number of providers. See shared programmes for details of the shared programme development process, application form and information requirements.
Programmes have been approved for sharing with a range of provider types. The programmes approved for sharing are:
| Programme Title | Awards | Approved for Sharing with: |
|---|---|---|
Learning in Everyday Life |
Level 3 Certificate General Learning 3M0874 |
All VEC Providers Special Schools Community/Comprehensive Schools Higher Education Institutes Voluntary Secondary Schools Department of Education and Skills funded Community and Voluntary Organisations and Youth Services
|
| Using Information and Communication Technologies in Everyday Life | Level 3 Certificate ICT Skills |
All VEC Providers
|
| Regional and Local Guiding | Level 6 Specific Purpose Certificate Regional and Local Guiding 6S2038
|
FETAC Registered Providers |
Coarse Angling Guiding
|
Level 6 Specific Purpose Certificate Coarse Angling Guiding 6S2035
|
FETAC Registered Providers |
| Coastal Guiding | Level 6 Specific Purpose Certificate Coastal Guiding 6S2033
|
FETAC Registered Providers |
| Game Angling Guiding | Level 6 Specific Purpose Certificate Game Angling Guiding 6S2034
|
FETAC Registered Providers |
| Pike Angling Guiding | Level 6 Specific Purpose Certificate Pike Angling Guiding 6S2036
|
FETAC Registered Providers |
| Boat Angling Guiding | Level 6 Specific Purpose Certificate Boat Angling Guiding 6S0218
|
FETAC Registered Providers |
| Dublin Tourist Guiding | Level 6 Specific Purpose Certificate Dublin Tourist Guiding 6S0688
|
FETAC Registered Providers |
| Professional Cookery Traineeship | Level 5 Certificate Professional Cookery 5M2088
|
Institutes of Technology
|
Providers who wish to offer these programmes should email validation@fetac.ie identifying the name of the programme they wish to offer. On receipt of the email, FETAC will supply the provider with the approved programme descriptor and an application form for validation. The application form should be returned to FETAC for decision. If the provider receives a decision to validate, they may then commence delivery of the programme.