Progress in Reform of Education & Training Qualifications
24 February 2005
Over 350 participants are today attending a major national conference in Galway to review progress in the implementation of the National Framework of Qualifications. The conference is attended by representatives from a wide range of education and training institutions and awarding bodies, from learner groups, trade unions, the world of business, Government Departments, State bodies and from the community and voluntary sector. There are also many European and other international contributors, participants and observers at the conference, which is taking place on 24 and 25 February in the Corrib Great Southern Hotel and in the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology.
The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment is to address the conference on the morning of Friday 25 February.
Seán Ó Foghlú, Chief Executive of the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland, giving an overview of the state-of-play in the implementation of the Framework, noted that the need for the framework arises in the main from the need for a single coherent national policy approach to qualifications and the national objective of moving towards a ‘lifelong learning society’, in which learners will avail of learning opportunities at various stages throughout their lives.
“The Framework embodies a vision for the recognition of learning,” he said “The vision is based on an understanding of learning as a lifelong process. We have reached the stage where a significant critical mass of Irish awards are now included in the Framework and we are progressing towards our aim of including all relevant awards. The Framework is now realising its potential as being a key tool for the encouragement of lifelong learning.”
The framework includes the awards of the Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC), the Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC), the universities, the State Examinations Commission (Department of Education and Science) and the Dublin Institute of Technology.
Mr. Ó Foghlú added
“This conference has given us an opportunity to review progress to date. Since the introduction of the Framework in October 2003, a wide range of stakeholders in learning has engaged in a complex process of implementation. Many thanks are due to all of those who have helped in the development of the framework to date. Continuing co-operation and considerable effort will need to be invested as we move forward towards full implementation of the Framework .”
Background Notes
Key Milestones in the Development and Implementation of the National Framework of Qualifications
- On 17 October 2003, the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland published the arrangements for the National Framework of Qualifications.
- On 6 July 2004 implementation arrangements for the National Framework of Qualifications in higher education and training were announced, and a range of existing and former awards of HETAC and the former NCEA was placed in the Framework. The Framework is now being used within the CAO process for entry to higher education in autumn 2005.
- On 27 January 2005, the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland and the Further Education and Training Awards Council agreed to the placement of a range of existing and former awards (previously made by FETAC and/or by the former National Council for Vocational Awards, FÁS, Department of Education and Science, National Tourism Certification Board and Teagasc) in the National Framework of Qualifications, thus ensuring that the vast majority of further education and training awards are included in the Framework.
