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

2. Dympna McCarron
CMETB

3. 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

4. Maria Kyne
Limerick Institute of Technology

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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)

9. 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