SOLAS
SOLAS is the state organisation responsible for funding, planning and coordinating FET and has significant involvement in Kerry ETB services. The Strategic Performance Agreement 2020 -2023 has set priorities for investment and development of FET the sector. These priorities give direction to Kerry ETB in respect of the development of its FET services.
Education and Training Boards Ireland
Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI), is the national representative association for Ireland’s sixteen Education and Training Boards- providing a range of coordination and professional supports to ETBs and facilitating collaboration between ETB’s. ETBI coordinates a number of groups, which assist ETBs to develop policy and enhance practice. Kerry ETB draws from the work of these groups contributing to the improvement of ETB services nationally and strengthening the capacity to apply a consistency of approach:
- Chief Executives Forum
- Directors Forum
- FET Directors QA Strategy Group
- FET Steering Group
- Quality Assurance Forum
- New Apprenticeship Development Group
Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP) through its Intreo offices are a strategic partner in planning education and training provision for those who are out of the labour market. DEASP/Intreo staff are involved in the area groups which focus on planning- and streamlining referrals into Kerry ETB FET courses. A formal referral protocol between Kerry ETB and DEASP/Intreo is in place.
Collaborating providers – New Apprenticeship Programmes
Kerry ETB is the coordinating provider for the Commis Chef Apprenticeship. Memorandums of Agreement (MOA) are in place with six collaborating providers. Kerry ETB conducted quality monitoring in 2019 with a number of our collaborating providers. Quarterly consolidated reports on the delivery of the programme come before the National Programme Board. Reports on apprentice’s progress; including results, come before the National Examination Board for recommendation to the Quality Council. National results for the achievement of the Advanced Certificate in Culinary Arts are ratified by the Kerry ETB Quality Council.
Institute of Technology Tralee
Kerry ETB has specific arrangements in place which provide enhanced progression opportunities to learners exiting Kerry ETB Courses and progressing to Higher Education courses in the Institute of Technology Tralee
Other awarding bodies
Courses associated with other awarding bodies operate under our Quality Assurance Procedures (QAP). Our quality assurance (QA) arrangements are provider owned and comprehensive. – covering all courses and related services regardless of whether or not these lead to QQI awards, and/or other awards recognised within the qualifications framework. Kerry ETB currently has QA arrangements with the following awarding bodies:
- City and Guilds
- CIDESCO
- ITEC and CIBTAC
A single set of policies, procedures and practices operates across Kerry ETB- quality assuring our programme and services at provider level. All QA arrangements with other awarding bodies are incorporated within this single set of policies, procedures and practices.
