Transcript CEO Presentation to Oireachtas 20 09 11

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CEO UPDATE
The Future of FET Sector
22 September 2011
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What’s happening to FAS?
The Employment Services and
Employment function of FAS
are currently being transferred
to the Department of Social
Protection.
This Department is establishing
a new service:
NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT
AND ENTITLEMENTS
SERVICE
The Training and Corporate
functions of FAS have been
transferred to the Department
of Education and Skills
This Department has established
a new authority:
SOLAS
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Why establish SOLAS?
To meet the objectives of the National Skills Strategy and the
needs of learners two things were needed:
• To integrate the Further Education and Training Sectors
• To get a clearer focus on the needs of learners, including
jobseekers, and on the needs of business and the labour market.
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What is SOLAS?
SOLAS will be responsible for the coordination and Funding of
Further Education and Training.
The role of SOLAS in FET will be similar to the role of the HEA in the
Higher Education Sector.
VECs will deliver all publicly funded Further Education and Training
Programmes and FAS will be disbanded.
SOLAS will provide FET with a single management structure
to ensure the delivery of a quality, modern, relevant FET
service to learners and jobseekers.
DES and the Government will define the broad strategy,
national priorities, funding levels, legislative framework
and oversee implementation.
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What impact will the changes have?
There will be three key impacts:
1: There will be a learner-centred focus on the needs of jobseekers and
other learners.
2: There will be greater focus on providing new skills required by new
jobs in today’s economy.
3: There will be significant modernisation of course provision (eg
online, blended and evening provision).
SOLAS will be underpinned by strong quality assurance standards and
be subject to international benchmarking and course content
reviews. There will be increased focus on outputs, outcome and
value for money.
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What are the steps?
A SOLAS Implementation Group has been established and is chaired by
Ciaran Canon TD Minister for State with responsibility for Training and
Skills.
Membership includes DES, IVEA, FAS.
The group will establish a draft action plan which will be the subject of
consultation with interested stakeholders.
The new arrangements will require the Labour Services Act the Vocational
Education Act and the Education Acts to be amended. It is proposed to
publish legislation early next year.
The Government wants the change process to be largely complete by the
end of 2012.