Latest Event Updates
Feasibility Study on Draft QA Guidelines
LCETB are currently engaged with QQI on a strategy for the development and establishment of quality assurance guidelines and approval of QA procedures for the ETBs. The establishment of the new ETBI/QQI Forum provides a structured framework through which to progress this work; which will be undertaken in two phases:
Phase I is the collaborative and consultative process for the development of new QA guidelines for the ETB sector. This phase which involves external advisors conducting a feasibility study to inform QQI on the appropriateness of the guidelines, and will lead to new QA guidelines for the sector.
Phase II is the establishment of new QA guidelines and QA procedures in each ETB. This phase involves the ETB conducting a formal self-evaluation and an external evaluative process by QQI.
The attached presentation details the feasibility study process, panel visit etc. It also details each of the new 11 draft QA guidelines and examines any potential differences with previous FETAC processes.
Presentation from Skills and Labour Market Research Unit
Aside Posted on
The Skills and Labour Market Research (SLMRU) made a presentation recently to the LCETB FET Senior Management Team which can be viewed below. It gives a useful overview of the labour market picture both nationally and in the mid-west
It is the intention of the SLMRU to make themselves available as a support to ETB’s by providing the most up to date regional labour market intelligence. You can find out more about the SLMRU and Future Skills Expert Group here
New: LCETB Programme Delivery, Development and Validation Policy
In April 2014 LCETB signed a regularisation agreement which means that QQI treats LCETB as one entity when it comes to programme validation. To reflect this a new policy around Programme Delivery, Development and Validation was developed by a task group made up of senior managers from across LCETB.
This policy sets out how a centre makes a request for approval to deliver or develop a new QQI Programme. An LCETB Programme Committee who will oversee the process is now in place and will meet up to 6 times a year. The next meeting of the committee will be 2ndof February 2015 and the deadline for applications is January 19th.
Information briefings have started to take place and members of the LCETB R&D Team will lead the rollout and communication of this process to key staff in early 2015.To find out more have a look at the following slides.
What does this mean for your centre?
1. Instead of applying for approval to deliver or develop QQI programmes through your local PAA you will now go through the LCETB Programme Committee.
2. Providers/centres will no longer use their QBS for validation, this will be done at LCETB level.
What does this mean for those teaching?
1. Programmes validated after June 2014 will be issued as LCETB logoed pdf versions. Reviewing and amending these programmes will be co-ordinated at LCETB level in future.
2. LCETB will move to a single version of Level 5 and 6 Programmes from September ’15
3. Programme documentation will be housed on a new web based SharePoint site making it easy for staff to find the most up to date version of their programmes.
QA Information Note #2
While LCETB remain in a process of transition while QA guidelines are established and new procedures introduced, it is of critical importance that the current high standard of provision is maintained and strengthened.
To this end, a number of critical priorities have been identified for 2015.
1. Business Continuity – maintaining current systems, processes and standards of provision.
2. Rollout of LCETB Programme Delivery, Development and Validation Policy
3. QA Re-engagement and the Self Evaluation Process
4. Structures and Systems of Managing Quality Assurance
Attached document “16_12_12_LCETB_QA_Information_Note_2.pdf” provides detail of these priority areas and specific actions planned for 2015.
ETBI/QQI Collaborative FET Forum Update
Included in this post are –
ETBI QQI Collaborative FET Forum Communiqué Number 1, which outlines –
– Membership of Forum
– Communication strategy
– What developments have taken place so far?
– Towards a Quality Assurance Framework for Education and Training Boards: Draft Quality Assurance Guidelines For the ETBs
Communique to CEs Final Reagrding Work of ETBI-QQI Forum – November 2014
Also included is the Work Plan for the forum, as devised by the Working Group, and approved by the Forum.
Hour of Code 2014
Calling all FET providers -Would you like to be involved in what has been descibed as no less than the biggest learning event in history. The Hour of Code is a one-hour introduction to coding, designed to demystify computer science and show that anybody can learn the basics. It is Global and hopes to reach tens of millions of students in over 180 countries Anyone, anywhere can organise an event with the turorials and all resources required available online.
Margot Walsh, Literacy Coordinator in Clare is embracing the initiative and is planning an ‘Hour of Code’ in 6 Centres across the county. She hopes the initiative will spark an interest in CPD for staff and an interest in joining computer science courses for learners. For more details see the hour of code poster Clare
If like Margot you want to host an hour Click Here to get started.
Have Your Say-Teaching Council CPD Framework Consultation Process
The Teaching Council are currently in the first phase of consultation around the development of a national framework for CPD. At this point what they would like is to hear from teachers about their experience of CPD, which types of professional learning most enhanced their practice and students learning, and what they would like to see in the frame
work.
Individuals registered with the teaching council can complete a questionnaire by logging in to the Teaching Council Users Area. Alternatively your Centre/Service could organise to meet and collectively send feedback. The Council have a prompt sheet and feedback form which can be downloaded here
Why should I/we get involved?: It is essential that the voice of teachers in Further Education and Training are heard and that our experiences and needs are reflected in the framework along with those of our colleagues in primary and post primary education.The deadline for feedback to be sent back is January 16th.
LCETB Development Team brief QQI staff as part of new initiative
LCETB Development Team were invited to QQI on November 6th 2014.
The LCETB team were asked to provide outline profile to the QQI CEO, Heads and Managers, and to highlight the opportunities and challenges within LCETB.
Link to the news article on the QQI website is here –
http://www.qqi.ie/Pages/Stakeholders-brief-QQI-staff-as-part-of-new-initiative.aspx
Second Strategic Planning Workshop of FET Managers and Programme Coordinators
Another productive day was held in Westpark, Shannon on 19th of November 2014. This was the second workshop of Managers and Programme Coordinators, whose discussions will contribute to a draft LCETB FET Service Strategic Framework 2015-2020. The draft will be circulated to all FET Staff before Christmas for consultation and feedback. We’ll keep you posted!
Coming Soon – LCETB Sharepoint
A new LCETB Staff portal is currently in the final stages of development and will be launched in November. The portal is being developed using Sharepoint 2013 and will be
* A single source for documents relevant to the day-to-day work of LCETB staff (Policies, Procedures, Programmes etc.)
* A crucial communication tool to ensure all staff are up-to-date with all relevant developments
* A valuable business process resource where relevant forms can be submitted and approved online
Sharepoint will be a particularly valuable resouce in the FET sector and we will keep you informed of developments (launch date and training/CPD plans for users etc.) in the coming weeks.
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