Terms & Conditions
Programme Development at Level 1 and Level 2
FETAC has developed a range of new awards at Level 1 and Level 2, through the Common Awards System. These awards are available to all FETAC registered Providers.
Providers who wish to offer a programme leading to a FETAC award at Level 1 and/or Level 2 must first have the programme validated by FETAC.
A programme is a learning package, offered by a Provider, which has the capacity to enable the Learner to reach the standards of knowledge, skill and competence of the award(s).
These programmes must:
- be developed in accordance with the Provider's Quality Assurance agreement with FETAC
- meet the requirements of the published award(s)
- offer the Learner(s) the opportunity to achieve the standards outlined in the awards specifications
- be validated by FETAC prior to the programme being delivered to Learners
How to use the common awards at Level 1 and Level 2:
1) Review the new award specifications.
2) Once you've identified the award(s) you wish to use, consult the Programme Validation Levels 1 and 2: Provider Guidelines (Revised Version Sept 2008), consult Guidelines for Preparing Programme Descriptors and view the programme information requirements in the Application form, available on request from FETAC, for Programme Validation (Levels 1 and 2) (Revised Version Sept 2008)
3) While FETAC is responsible for setting standards for the awards, the Provider is responsible for the design of the programme. A range of programmes may lead to the same award. Programmes may vary in content and delivery methodology but they must be designed to enable the learner to achieve the learning outcomes specified in the award.
4) Devise your programme relative to the award specification.
5) Complete the programme validation application form and submit to FETAC. The application form on the FETAC website is for information only. The live form must be issued to the Provider by FETAC. To request a live application form use the contact us option on the home page.
6) FETAC will evaluate the programme relative to the award specification(s) . Note: the process of validating a programme takes approximately 12 weeks from date of application.
7) Once validation is achieved the Provider can start delivery of the programme. Note: Providers are required to implement FETAC's Quality Assuring Assessment policy prior to submission of a programme for validation.T
The Provider should be familiar with the following documentation prior to developing programmes:
- the policies and procedures agreed between FETAC and the Provider for Quality Assurance
- Level 1 and Level 2 Award Specifications (Major Awards and Minor Awards)
- Level 1 Certificate in Communications (and related Components)
- Level 1 Certificate in General Learning (and related Components)
- Level 2 Certificate in General Learning (and related Components)
- Programme Validation Levels 1 and 2: Provider Guidelines (Revised Version Sept 2008)
- Guidelines for Preparing Programme Descriptors
- Application form for Programme Validation
- Quality Assuring Assessment Guidelines for Providers May 2007
- Guide to Awards at Levels 1 and 2 and associated Processes
The following may also be useful as a reference:
- Register of Validated Programmes at Levels 1 and 2
- Quality Assurance in Further Education and Training Policy and Guidelines for Providers v1.3
- Validation of Programmes: Policy (FETAC)
- Quality Assuring Assessment: Policy (FETAC)
- Determinations for the Outline National Framework of Qualifications (NQAI) - pages 16 and 19
- Exploring Assessment for Accountability Purposes in Adult Literacy (NALA)
- Level Definitions for the Department of Education and Skills Adult Literacy Returns
