May 2019 Issue 3 Opportunities for Life & Living
MSLETB QUALITY ASSURANCE NEWSLETTER
www.msletb.ie
MSLETB Quality Assurance Newsletter
Welcome Welcome to the third issue of MSLETB’s Quality Assurance Newsletter. We are heading into one of our busiest times of year with the upcoming QQI June certification. We also have two programme development teams preparing for external panel visits as part of the QQI programme validation process for newly developed programmes in Agriculture and the Associate Sales Professional Apprenticeship (good luck to the teams in Westport CFE and Sligo Training Centre!). There are a number of items in this issue that may be of particular interest to teaching staff in particular, including: •
A NEW REFERENCING HANDBOOK FOR LEARNERS IN FET
•
A GUIDE FOR PREPARING FOR EXTERNAL AUTHENTICATION
•
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS FOR PAYROLL MANUAL AND COMPUTERISED 5N1546 AND 6N4005
•
OPPORTUNITIES TO JOIN THE NATIONAL EXTERNAL AUTHENTICATION PANEL
•
UPCOMING NALA ESOL CONFERENCE
There are also a number of updates from QQI which are important for heads of programmes/ centres including: •
REQUIREMENT TO CHANGE QBS PASSWORD AND
•
THE DEACTIVATION OF THE OCCUPATIONAL FIRST AID (OFA) 5N1207 AWARD
As always, we value your feedback. Please contact us on qualityassurance@msletb.ie with your views or if there is something that you would like us to feature.
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Referencing Handbook FESS, together with ETBI and eight ETBs, have developed a referencing handbook for learners in the FET Sector. The full referencing handbook is available on the QA SCORE page and also on the FESS website here. Teaching staff - if you want to compile a customised referencing handbook for your own learners, the handbook is available in sections on the FESS website. Coming soon – a writing handbook for learners at Levels 4-6 is currently being developed and will be ready by September 2019.
New look QA SCORE Page Our SCORE page has moved. You can access it here or follow the link from the old SCORE page. New features include a search function, quick links to useful resources, and a dedicated programme coordinator’s library.
Private Security Authority Any centres delivering 4N1118 Guarding Skills and 4N1114 Door Security Procedures, must submit details of the course to fionakieran@msletb.ie two weeks prior to course commencement. The PSA Requirements for Training Providers can be found here, along with the official PSA logo which can be used on course and promotional materials. PSA Approved Training Provider
Training Centre Instructors – Access to QA Forms A dedicated page has been set up on SCORE for instructors to access QA forms. To get access to this page or to receive hard copies of these forms, please contact your Training Standards Office. These forms will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. Please email your comments/suggested changes to tcforms@msletb.ie
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MSLETB Quality Assurance Newsletter
QQI – Recent publications - A white paper has been published detailing QQI’s proposed approach to the first review of quality assurance within the ETBs. Feedback is being sought from stakeholders by June 29th 2019, after which QQI will develop a policy on ETB reviews https://www.qqi.ie/Publications/Pages/White-Paper-Inaugural-Review-of-Quality-Assurance-in-Education-and-TrainingBoards.aspx
- Notice of intention to deactivate unused and little used CAS awards https://www.qqi.ie/News/Pages/Notice-of-intention-to-deactivate-unused-and-little-used-CAS-awards.aspx
- QQI is due to publish and consult on proposed new award standards for Early Learning and Care in the coming weeks https://www.qqi.ie/News/Pages/Changes-on-the-way-for-awards-standards-in-Early-Learning-and-Care.aspx
- QQI are hosting an event in May 2019 to brief people on the new standards, the broader context for their development and the implications for upgrading programmes at Levels 5 and 6. Some representatives from MSLETB will attend and information will be disseminated subsequently at local level. - QQI recently published a summary report of ETB Executive Self-Evaluation Reports and Quality Improvement Plans https://www.qqi.ie/Publications/Publications/Quality%20in%20FET%202018%20Insight.pdf
National External Authenticator Panel
It is essential that staff go to the Quality Assurance SCORE site to download the most up-to-date module descriptors prior to course commencement.
ETBI are currently establishing a new national panel of EAs for QQI awards. The training, in collaboration with FESS, has begun and MSLETB hosted an information session in the Sligo Training Centre on 5th February. If you missed out on this event and are interested in becoming an External Authenticator, there are two more events taking place in early June in Dublin. For more information and to register for a briefing session go to https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/ external-authenticator-briefingsessions-tickets-54405583565
Pictured at the recent information session for the new national External Authentication panel are (L-R) Ann McNamara, Siobhan Magee (FESS) and Fiona Kieran.
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RPL Practitioner Network Ireland The RPL Practitioner Network Ireland, are hosting an event in Galway on 22nd May which will explore the embedding of recognition of prior learning in practice. The event will include guest speaker from QQI and the European Commission and participatory workshops. To register for this event go to https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/rplpractitioner-network-ireland-embedding-rpl-in-practice-
Preparing for External Authentication – Assessor’s Guide A short guide has been prepared for assessors in FE centres to follow when preparing for external authentication. The guide has been informed by best practice and feedback from EAs. It includes links to templates and documents that are required as well as tips for presenting portfolios for authentication. It is available here.
tickets-60582189961
NALA ESOL Conference: Payroll Manual & 9th May Computerised 5N1546 & 6N4005 The theme of this year’s conference is ‘Challenging and motivating ESOL students’. There will be talks and workshops on topics such as: •
ESOL FOR NEWLY ARRIVED ADULT SYRIANS
•
PREPARING ESOL STUDENTS FOR CAMBRIDGE EXAMS
•
ESOL RESOURCES AND TECHNIQUES FOR THE CLASSROOM
For more information and to register for this event go to https://www.nala.ie/events/nala-esol-conference-9may-2019
An ETBI-hosted working group are making changes to these module descriptors to reflect the new PAYE modernisation system which came into effect on 1st January this year. The updated module descriptors (and associated AISs) will be ready for September 2019. To assist staff who are teaching these modules, workshops will take place in early September to look at how the PAYE sector has changed and focusing on the changes to the module descriptors. To register your interest in attending one of the planned workshops, please email qualityassurance@msletb.ie
QQI News & Updates - QBS Security - from March 2019, you will need to change your password. A guide on how to do this has been made available: https://qhelp.qqi.ie/providers/ qbs-password-security/Guide%20 on%20how%20to%20reset%20 password%202019.pdf
- The Occupational First Aid (OFA) 5N1207 award is to be deactivated after the June 2019 certification period: https://www.qqi.ie/News/Pages/Deactivation-of-MinorAward---Occupational-First-Aid-5N1207.aspx
- QQI recently sent the below flyer out to all centres with information relating to their new online certificate replacement service (QQI Cert):
At the recent awards night for the Ballina Further Education Parttime Services are (L-R) Mary Brodie, Máirtín Ó Móráin, Margaret Kieran, Mary Morrissey and Geraldine O’Haire.
https://qhelp.qqi.ie/learners/lost-certificate/
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MSLETB Quality Assurance Newsletter
QQI Quality Improvement Plan In 2019, QQI will be working with ETBs to develop a framework for quality assurance monitoring and as an interim measure, have asked ETBs to provide an update on progress to activities outlined in their Quality Improvement Plans (QIPs) which were published in 2018. You can read MSLETB’s 2018 QIP here: http://mayosligoleitrim.etb.ie/selfevaluation-and-monitoring/
MSLETB submitted their progress report on the 2018 Executive SelfEvaluation Report and QIP to QQI at the end of March along with a new QIP for 2019. Quality areas were chosen which address QQI’s Core Statutory QA guidelines and other QA guidelines.
The 2019 QIP focuses on 11 different policy areas
If you are having issues accessing any areas of SCORE, please raise a ticket with IT stating your email address, where you work and the pages you are seeking access to.
We want to include examples of QA best practice from our centres. If your centre has an approach that they would like to share, please let us know on: qualityassurance@msletb.ie
Sligo Training Centre Awards Night
At the Sligo Training Centre Awards night that took place on 26th March are (L-R) Caroline Coen, Tom Grady CEO, Rosaleen Grady Mayor of Sligo, Teresa Scanlon, Mary Gorman
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Back Row - Brian Gilheany, Teresa Scanlon, Tom Grady, Yvonne Byrne, Sean Burke, Eileen Buchanan Middle Row - Olive Henry, Anthony Quinn, Mary Gorman, Sinead Donagher Front Row - Iris Kesserbeck, Rosaleen Grady, Marie Morrison, Caroline Coen
MAY 2019
Teaching & Learning
Supports for Learners
• Incorporate TEL into teaching practice 20-hour workshop
• Create a position paper on how RPL is facilitated in
for tutors/teachers/instructors in 2019. • Implement Blended Learning Policy informed by QQI Blended Learning Guidelines (2018). • Roll out use of Moodle to five centre-based courses and five community-based courses who previously did not use Moodle. • Develop 3 communities of practice each covering one subject area. Initial workshop incorporating a stimulus guest speaker/SME. • Create banks of resources.
MSLETB. • Initial assessment of all learners (level 1-3) on active inclusion programmes to be rolled out as an ETB-wide practice for accredited courses. • In conjunction with AONTAS hold a Learner Forum event in Mayo region specifically looking at learner supports. • Disseminate the report from AONTAS on Sligo Learner Forum event held for full time learners in 2018. • Deliver training session to Senior Management Team to develop guidelines and policy for Learners with Disability/ Equality and Universal Approach.
Public Information & Communication
Documented approach to QA
• Promotion and marketing of courses utilising social media
• Portfolio of QA related forms and templates published and
and other media in a streamlined fashion. • Standardise approach to receiving and appraisal of feedback from learners and other stakeholders across FET.
briefings held. • Review and Update QA Handbook, circulate to relevant parties and review annually. • Consult on and develop the MSLETB QA system – an
Self-Evaluation, Monitoring & Review • Monitor Second providers with regard to QA adherence. • Implement programme and QA review on a pilot basis in three centres using resources developed in 2018. • Update Self-Evaluation Tool (developed by FESS) currently in use in FE Centres.
Assessment of Learners • Review and update current practice relating to fair and consistent assessment of learners. • Review and update current practice relating to assessment instrument development, preparation and delivery. • Provide exemplar portfolios, etc. to facilitate common stan-
overarching set of policies and procedures, to meet all QQI Re-engagement requirements. • Review and update current practice relating to the retention of evidence and QA procedure implementation to enable a consistent approach across all FET provision.
Programmes of Education & Training • Map non QQI certification. • Review Terms of Reference of Programme Approval Committee to incorporate a survey of current provision. • Register of licences/SLAs held for various software and programmes.
• Assessment Handbook for Teaching Staff.
Other parties involved in Education and Training
• Assessment Handbook for Learners.
• Build on relationships and agreements developed with third
dards across 5 components.
• Develop a plagiarism and assessment malpractice policy
party awarding bodies.
and related procedures.
Information & Data Management
Staff Recruitment Management & Development
• Review MSLETB Risk register to ensure QA risks and con-
• Agree guidelines and format for induction of new teaching
trols are adequately incorporated in to same. • PLSS Training Provided to all relevant FET staff ensuring contingency plans are in place to capture information need-
and training staff- delivered quarterly. • MSLETB actively promotes and participates in the FET PD Strategy 2017-2019 in the 7 key areas.
ed for funders. • Roll out of online GDPR training for all staff in MSLETB.
MSLETB will be meeting with QQI in early May for an annual dialogue meeting where we will discuss the QIP and other developments in FET.
Governance & Management of Quality • Hold a workshop covering governance for all management staff within FET and in the wider organisation including key positions such as heads of departments and Organisational Support and Development. • Review Governance structure to ensure compatibility with existing FET programmes and new generation apprenticeships where MSLETB is the lead Body.
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MSLETB Quality Assurance Newsletter
Mairead McGuinness, MEP and Vice President of the European Parliament, officially launched the National Craft Opportunities for Life & Living Butchery Apprenticeship on Thursday 18th April, 2019 at the Teagasc Ashtown Food Research Centre. Staff members from MSLETB joined with stakeholders from Teagasc and the Associated Craft Butchers of Ireland to celebrate the launch.
Launch of
National Craft Butchery Apprenticeship 18th April 2019 www.apprenticeship.ie
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HOSP
‘Education and Training Opportunities for Life & Living’
OD & FO
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