We are a FETAC registered provider,

Our Centre Roll number is 38447H

FETAC the Further Education and Training Council is the statutory body for the certification of further education and training in Ireland. All FETAC awards are quality assured and are placed on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). Awards range from level 1 to level 6 on the NFQ.

FETAC’s role is to:

· Make and promote awards on the NFQ.

· Determine standards and award requirements.

· Validate programmes leading to awards.

· Monitor and quality assure programmes and services.

Levels

The National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) is a system of ten levels. Each level is based on nationally agreed standards of knowledge, skill and competence i.e. what an individual is expected to know, understand and be able to do following successful completion of a process of learning. It recognises through the framework learning from the very initial stages to the most advanced stages and all such learning may be achieved in schools or colleges at work or in the home or community.

Award-Class

As well as this 10 level structure, the NFQ includes different classes or categories of awards.  These are different because they reflect a mix of standards of knowledge, skill and competence. This gives the learner the freedom to build their qualifications in ways that suit their needs.

There are four classes of award-types:
•    Major awards are the main class of award made at a level. You may have heard of some of these, for example the Leaving Certificate, the Advanced         Certificate or the Honors Bachelor Degree.  There are 16 major awards in the Framework, which can be seen in the ‘fan’ diagram (see next page).
•    Minor awards provide recognition for learners who achieve a range of learning outcomes but not the specific combination of learning outcomes           required for a major award. These awards allow learners to build up units of learning at their own pace to meet their own needs.
•    Special-purpose awards are made for very specific purposes. An example of a special-purpose award is Driving - Heavy Goods Rigid.
•    Supplemental awards are for learning which is additional to a previous award. They could, for example, relate to updating and refreshing knowledge or skills, or to continuing professional development.

National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ)

FETAC offers programmes at levels 1-6 and third level colleges and universities normally offer programmes at levels 7 to 10.
FETAC offers Major awards and minor awards. FETAC Major Awards are made up of a number of specified (8 or more) minor awards commonly known as modules or component certificates. Each module can be taken separately or as part of an overall programme incorporating all the required modules for a major award. Learners receive a Component Certificate for each module they successfully complete. When a Learner has successfully completed the required Component Certificates for a major award they automatically become eligible for the overall Certificate. The following is an example of how the component certificates fit together:

FETAC (NCVA) Level 5 Major award certificates will be awarded to a candidate who reaches the required standard in at least 8 modules made up as follows:
1.    5 Vocational modules (including mandatory and elective modules)
2.    2 General Studies modules (one of which must be communications)
3.    1 Work Experience module

The General Studies module is intended to:
1.    Provide breadth and balance in the curriculum
2.    Enhance personal development
3.    Complement the area of vocational study

The General Studies module may be chosen from the list of FETAC (NCVA) Level 5 modules, (provided that it is not an elective vocational module for that certificate) or from the list of locally devised modules developed by the programme provider and approved by the FETAC Council.

You need to be careful and know what award you are getting from a programme. i.e. is it a component certificate or is it a major award? You can generally judge by the number of contact hours. A minor award or component certificate can be completed in 30 or more contact hours. Whereas a major award will take you 240 or more contact hours to complete. However you can be sure if you enrol on a programme which has FETAC accreditation that the organisation delivering the programme has been through a rigorous quality assurance check and that the programme is monitored independently by FETAC to ensure they achieve the highest standard. It is important to plan carefully what modules and what award you want to complete in order to maximise your investment and your time in getting your desired qualification.