Workshop What needs to be enhanced in QQI’s implementation role and the Quality Assurance Guidelines?

Dympna McCarron CMETB

Benefits Challenges Managing Stakeholder expectations Time management Resource management Message management Documentation Volume Interpretation Curriculum writers Strong employer-led CSG Kept momentum behind the programme Ensured programme is on the pulse of what is required by industry Assisted us with profiling the apprenticeship nationally Collaborating Partners Curriculum Support Assisted with sourcing suitable equipment Team approach Augmented geographical reach of the programme

Maria Kyne Limerick Institute of Technology

Benefits Challenges Consortium creation and sustainability including new provider engagement – use of existing networks particularly helpful for some apprenticeships but difficult to sustain in the long term for others Mechanism to harness and further develop existing relationships with Industry/Employers and Professional Associations – Limerick for Engineering, Limerick for IT, PTMA, SCSI, IASC

Benefits Challenges Brings the apprenticeship area into the normal HEI quality assurance frameworks – External examiners, examination system (exam papers, exam boards, exam reviews and appeals) Registration of apprentices – liaison with, and providing timely information to, ETB Authorising Officers, registration of employers in a timely manner, liaison with SOLAS

Benefits Challenges National Provision – liaison between the Coordinating Provider and other Providers - development of a standard MoU, agreement of funding arrangements to support the Consortia and the provision of administrative support Recognition as a provider of new and craft based apprenticeship education – providing additional opportunities to second level students to study apprenticeships

Benefits Challenges Timely development of occupational profiles and preparation for Industrial Training Orders in liaison with SOLAS and the Apprenticeship Council Additional HEA support for programme development and provision (funding support for Consortia, programme development, marketing and necessary equipment)

Additional Challenges Management of relationships – HEA, Apprenticeship Council, SOLAS, ETB’s and their Authorising Officers, other Providers, Industry mentors, academic mentors Management of the ‘On the job learning’ – quality assurance, equity of experience, liaison between industry mentors and academic mentors Creation of workable programme delivery models to suit industry and HEI needs – semester long, one day a week. Two days a week, evening delivery, online delivery, block provision, weekend delivery