Irish Vocational Education Association

IVEA Welcomes Decision to Establish Further Education and Training Authority as Move Towards Establishing A Distinct Further Education and Training Sector

The Irish Vocational Education Association (IVEA) today broadly welcomed the government's decision to establish a Further Education and Training Authority (SOLAS) as a first move towards putting in place a distinct, coherent and integrated further education and training (FET) sector to deliver the 'workplace-relevant' skills essential to driving national and individual prosperity.

According to IVEA General Secretary Michael Moriarty, "For several years, IVEA has been calling for the establishment of a distinct, integrated and appropriately resourced further education and training (FET) sector, and it is pleasing to see the State recognising that the skills that our member Vocational Education Committees (VECs) have been providing to some 140,000 learners annually are critical to future prosperity.

"Europe and Ireland's commitment to achieving smart, sustainable and inclusive economic growth is very much dependent on our capacity to upskill all the workforce, and not just those with third level qualifications. Hopefully, Minister Quinn's announcement today will significantly improve our capacity to give a new start to many whose lives have been blighted by the financial crisis."

In particular, Mr Moriarty welcomed the decision to transfer, over time, FÁS training centres and most FÁS regional staff to the VECs, and the fact that VECs will ultimately be responsible for the delivery to the public of an integrated FET service. "This," said Mr Moriarty, "will enable VECs to use their local knowledge and experience to the maximum to deliver what amounts to a one-stop-shop FET service in literally every community in Ireland."

"The VECs and FÁS have already been working closely together under the IVEA- FÁS Cooperation Agreement to coordinate and integrate services, and the government's proposal should essentially copper-fasten this development to the benefit of those needing to improve their skills and qualifications."

While generally welcoming the Minister's strategic proposals for reforming further education and training, Mr Moriarty noted that "a lot of work remains to be done to see that the proposals are implemented efficiently and effectively." In this regard, he acknowledged the important role that the Implementation Group, under the chairmanship of Minister of State, Ciarán Cannon TD, would play in the whole reform process. According to Mr Moriarty, IVEA would be very pleased to appoint representatives to the implementation body.

In concluding his remarks, Mr Moriarty said that before making a detailed response to the Minister and his Department, IVEA would wish to obtain further clarification from the Department of Education and Skills regarding the role of SOLAS, most particularly in regard to its role in the funding and coordination of further education and training programmes.

"The success of the new venture will," said Mr Moriarty, "depend greatly on the relationship that develops between member VECs and SOLAS."

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© IVEA 2012