The Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC) is the national awarding body for further education and training in Ireland. It was set up in 2001 by the Minister of Education and Science under the Qualifications (Education and Training) Act, 1999. FETAC offers you the chance to further your education. Not only does it offer really worthwhile courses where you gain excellent training, skills and qualifications designed specifically to help you in the industry you want to get into. FETAC enables you to gain the qualifications you need to further your career – whether it is starting from scratch in a new career area or continuing your training to develop your skills in a career area you are already in.
FETAC makes over 70,000 awards annually to learners in Ireland. FETAC awards are placed on the NFQ at levels 3-6 and under this system their value is easily compared with other national and international awards.
This system ensures that all awards are in accordance with national standards set out in the NFQ and creates opportunities for all learners in further education and training to have their achievements recognised. FETAC offers opportunities for learners allowing people to gain the qualifications or training they need to get a new or better job. It is the single national body responsible for granting awards as well as setting – and maintaining – standards in further education and training.
The programmes leading to FETAC awards operate in diverse settings such as in the workplace or community. The wide range of course providers include the following:
-Adult and Community Education and Training Centres
-Agricultural and Horticultural Colleges
-BIM Training Centres
-Centres for Learners with Special Needs
-Colleges of Further Education
-Community Training Workshops
-FÁS Net College – interactive learning online
-FÁS Training Centres
-Fáilte Ireland Training Centres
-In-Company Sites
-Institutes of Technology
-Literacy Centres
-Post Leaving Certificate (PLC)/FE Centres
-Private Training Providers
-Senior Traveller Training Centres
-Skillnets/Work-based Learning
-Specialist Training Centres
-Teagasc Training Centres
-Vocational Education Centres (VECs)
-Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) Centres
-Workplace
-YOUTHREACH Centres
The Higher Education Links Scheme (HELS) is designed to enable students on the FETAC level 5 certificates and the FETAC level 6 Advanced certificates to progress onto higher education courses. HELS is more than an alternative to higher education; it increases your knowledge and skills, promotes personal development, and provides you with long-term benefits. It is possible to progress from certificate to diploma to degree and so forth on this scheme.
Institutions operating the Higher Education Links Scheme (HELS) for 2007 are listed below:
All Hallows College
American College, Dublin
Carlow College – St. Patrick’s
Dublin City University
Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT)
Mary Immaculate College (University of Limerick)
Mater Dei College (DCU)
Milltown Institute
National College of Art and Design (NUI)
NUI Maynooth
Shannon College of Hotel Management
St. Angela’s Sligo
St. Patrick's College Maynooth (Pontifical University)
University College Cork (NUI)
University College Dublin (NUI)
University College Galway (NUI)
University of Limerick (UL)
