Exploring the current Quality Assurance operating environment

Fiona Maloney Education and Training Boards Ireland

Today’s Content Quality Assurance Procedures Overcoming Challenges 5 Top Tips - Supports and Enhancements

Quality Assurance Procedures Sectoral Quality Assurance Procedures Handbook Reference Handbook outlining QAPs for new Apprenticeship Coordinating Providers developed by ETBI to support ETBs QA Governance considerations included: Structures & procedures Roles & responsibilities Governance reports QA of employers & collaborating providers Guidelines for programme design Access, transfer & progression Teaching, Learning & Assessment Strategies

Overcoming Challenges Challenge: Design & development of new apprenticeship programmes Response: Establishment of Dedicated Programme Development Teams in ETBs with ETBI offering 1 to 1 mentoring sessions therefore building capacity across the sector Continuity of expertise to support further programme development Challenge: Employer Engagement ETBs convened Employer Breakfast Briefings and Writer symposiums – Collaborative process between industry & academia; employers & tutors

Supports and Enhancements Supports & Enhancements QQI 12 Core Validation Criteria training sessions to programme development teams Programme technology support & training: Academic Module Management Continuous engagement and collaboration between CSG and ETB programme development team – site visits Panel training for CSG members, programme team and employers on QQI validation events Establishment of Specialist Panels External Peer Reviewers Mock Panels External Authenticators Monitoring & Enhancement Panel Workplace Mentoring programme

Conclusion Valuable learning and insights have been acquired Importance of programme board reflecting Employers, CSG, Coordinating and Collaborating providers Supports provided pivotal to programme development process International and National best practice and research informed all action Continued progress