NAPD FETCI

The National Association of Principals and Deputy and Deputy Principals
The proposals contained in our Discussion Document are based on the FETCI vision for the FET College of the Future. In our view, within a single unified system of FET provision, the FET College of the Future, will consist of the following:

(The following could be a blend of central ETB services and College-based services, depending on the particular requirements within each ETB region):

Building Skills

A new FET College of the Future, separate from post-primary sector, which will consolidate all level 5 and level 6 provision;
An integrated funding model for all FET provision;
Provide FET courses 12 months of the year, day, evening and weekend, on site, online, in the workplace, and in the community;
Teaching support, and employer engagement staff to support the teachers in the development and delivery of programmes;
Data Analysis – Using data from PLSS and QQI to inform resource requirement and programme design
Employer Engagement service to liaise with employers about skills needs within the workplace.

Inclusion

Admissions Office and access teams to support the learning within FET Colleges;
ICT services for staff and students, educational technology support for staff and students;
Provide integrated system of educational supports for all students on all courses, including support for learning needs, literacy and numeracy, counselling;
Integrate adult literacy, numeracy and digital literacy (ALND) into all aspects of the curriculum.

Pathways

A 2+2/2+1 model of tertiary education in which the first two years of post-secondary provision could take place in the FET College with progression to year three in a University or Institute of Technology;
A single unified system for all applications for higher education from both the State Exams and the QQI routes;
Careers Advisors
A properly resourced employer engagement service to support in-course placements and employment opportunities;
Collaborate with all other FET services, such as Adult and Community Education, and Youthreach, to ensure that the FET College is a key part of seamless learning pathways, and that the transitions are smooth and supportive.

College Management and Administration

A modern and appropriate middle-management structure;
A modern and appropriate administrative structure and systems, including specialist educational administrators;
A modern and appropriate Managed Learning Environment (MLE) that will support the learner journey. This would integrate student admissions, students accounts for IT and webbased services, results and certification. It would also support the corporate governance of the College;
A modern and appropriate estates and facilities management structure.

To read the document in full you can download it here: FETCI Vision for the FET College 2021

About us

The National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) is the professional association for all Principals and Deputy Principals in Post Primary Schools, Further Education and Training (FET) Schools and Colleges in Ireland. Further Education and Training Colleges Ireland (formerly the NAPD FET Committee) is a Committee of NAPD, representing Principals and Deputy Principals from over 100 FET Schools and Colleges in Ireland under the auspices of the three managerial bodies, ETBI, JMB, and ACCS. Established in 2000, this committee has represented NAPD on many State Boards, national working groups, and committees involved in FET. In addition, a nominee of this committee is a member of the NAPD National Executive, and works with the NAPD Executive in addressing FET issues as they affect Principals and Deputy Principals in their role in leading and managing their Schools and Colleges.

The members of the Committee are from around the country and represent the collective experiences and knowledge of Principals and Deputy Principals who are involved in delivering many different FET programmes such as:

PLC Programme
Apprenticeships (Pre- and Post-2016)
Traineeships
SkillsETB
Momentum
BTEI
VTOS
Adult Education – part-time night provision
Skills to Advance
Skills to Compete

Further Education and Training Colleges Ireland (FETCI) continues to seek the full completion of the FET sector reforms in Ireland. In line with the FET Strategy 2020-2024, FETCI is advocating for the establishment of a formal FET College Sector in Ireland as the foundational pillar of a world-class system of FET provision. In particular, we are working to achieve:

A new FET College of the Future, separate from post-primary sector, which will consolidate all level 5 and level 6 provision;
An integrated funding model for all FET provision;
FET provision that will be flexible, available 12 months of the year, during the day, in the evening and on weekends;
A 2+2/2+1 model of tertiary education in which the first two years of post-secondary provision could take place in the FET College with progression to year three in a University or Institute of Technology;
Teaching support staff to support the teachers in the development and delivery of programmes;
Integrated system of learning supports for all FET students;
Educational technologists, IT support staff, and Access teams to support the learning within FET Colleges;
FET Colleges to be properly resources with a fit-for-purpose middle-management structure.

Dr Rory O’Sullivan (Chair)

Principal, Killester and Marino College of Further Education

Tel: 087-2314091

Email: rory.osullivan@kcfe.cdetb.ie

Twitter: @FETColleges_IE