These are truly historic times as CDVEC prepares to become an ETB. To quote directly from Rúarí Quinn TD Minister for Education and Skills - ‘As 33 VECs cease to exist on one day, 16 local Education and Training Boards must open their doors the next day. On that day, all administrative and support services to schools and centres for education must be fully functional.’
A number of recent government decisions have resulted in radical change to the sector of Further Education. The main changes are: The creation of Education and Training Boards (ETBs); The creation of the new qualifications authority – QQAI; - and changes to FÁS and the Department of Social Protection (DSP).
The creation of Education and Training Boards (ETBs).
On the 5th October the Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn T.D., published the Education and Training Boards Bill which will provide for the establishment of 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs), replacing the current 33 Vocational Education Committees (VECs).
The DES press release on the 5th October said ‘The Bill provides for the establishment of the newly configured bodies, reforms and modernises their governance provisions, removes outdated terminology and articulates the functions of the boards to better reflect the current and evolving role of VECs. It will replace the nine existing Vocational Education Acts with one piece of primary legislation’.
{The Education and Training Boards Bill 2012 is available to download on the Oireachtas website (
www.oireachtas.ie) and the Department’s website
http://www.education.ie/en/The-Education-System/Legislation/Education-and-Training-Boards-Bill-2012.pdf
Designated CEOs for the new entities have been nominated and the new headquarters for each ETB have been agreed. Legislation to formalise the establishment of the ETB is expected to pass through the Dáil before Christmas leading to the formal inauguration of the ETB early in 2013. CDVEC is not being amalgamated and will become the City of Dublin Education and Training Board (CDETB). Jacinta Stewart CEO of CDVEC will be the CEO of CDETB and the headquarters will remain in the Town Hall, Merrion Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.
The creation of the new qualifications authority – QQAI.
The function of HETAC, FETAC and NQAI are to be merged into a single organisation called the Qualifications and Quality Assurance Authority Ireland (QQAI). Considerable work has already taken place in the amalgamation of the three organisations and the new QQAI is expected to be in place by Christmas 2012.
Changes to FÁS and the Department of Social Protection (DSP).
The government has reallocated the functions of FÁS into three separate parts.
1: The planning, co-ordination and funding functions will be taken on by a new entity called SOLAS. Legislation to this effect is imminent.
2: The Training Centre Network and training and all associated provision will be integrated into the new ETB structure.
3: The referral of learners will be integrated into the function of the Department of Social Protection. A new national employment and entitlements service will facilitate such referrals.
The Pilot Programme: Transfer of Training Centres from FÁS to ETB
City of Dublin and City of Cork VECs have been asked to pilot the transfer process of FÁS programmes into the ETB. Preparations are well underway between CDVEC and FÁS for the transfer of FÁS Training Centres in the City of Dublin.
CDVEC has formed a working group with FÁS to prepare an action plan to enable the transfer to take place. Senior management of both organisations have been meeting for some time to address the issues involved.
There are two FÁS Training Centres in the City of Dublin VEC region –one in Finglas and one in Ballyfermot . As part of the ‘getting to know you’ process the CDVEC team has already spent one day in Finglas and one day in Ballyfermot recently. Reciprocal visits will happen to CDVEC premises in Finglas and Ballyfermot before the end of October 2012.
The broad issues
FÁS and CDVEC have many systems in place that allow each to deliver on its own objectives. Each organisation goes about its business in a way that reflects its culture and history. In many cases each organises its business in widely differing ways. One of the main challenges of the integration will be the creation of a model that can accommodate the two existing models.
The financial systems of both organisations are different. Payroll (for both staff and trainees), procurement, creditors and banking systems are all different. The draw-down of funding and the accounting processes are different. The current work between the two organisations is examining these issues at a basic practical level.
Both organisations have quite different QA agreements with FETAC. The QA agreement defines many operational issues like assessment method and certification. This issue is being examined by both organisations and FETAC / QQAI.
FÁS funds a significant number of training provisions through independent and not for profit providers outside of the actual Training Centre. There is a considerable organisational structure supporting and recording this provision. Responsibility for this contracted training will be the responsibility for the new ETB.
Meetings are planned in early October to address the following financial issues; Trainee Apprenticeship Payments, Creditors and Procurement, Treasury, Contracted Training and Reporting. Further meetings are planned that will address QA and HR/IR issues.
Integration meetings
Meetings will be held in mid October between senior management from the FÁS Training Centres along with Principals, Heads of Centres and Adult Education Officers from the VEC side. The meetings will outline the profile of the area provision that into the future will include Training Centres, Second Level Schools, Colleges of Further Education, Youthreach, Adult and Community Service and CDYSB. The purpose will be to look at the profile of all provision in the area in order to increase awareness and inform future QA agreements between QQAI and the ETB.
In summary
The process of engagement and mutual understanding is well underway between CDVEC and FÁS. Both organisations are looking positively and confidently to a bright new future together that will enhance the learning experience for all students across the City of Dublin.