FETAC Level 4

The CAS (Common Award System)

• FETAC introduced a range of new awards developed through the Common Awards System. These awards are available to all registered providers, i.e. those who have agreed their quality assurance with FETAC.

A national approach at Level 4

• For Levels 1, 2 and 3, VECs wrote their own programmes.

• VECs around the country wrote the new Level 4 and 5 programmes for sharing.

• The old Level 4 and many Level 5 modules will be deactivated in December 2012.

• The new Level 4 and 5 programmes are now ready for sharing across the VECs.

Level 2 and Level 3

• It is envisaged that Level 2 will be available nationally in December 2012.

• Writing will commence in September. Co. Cavan VEC will be part of this process.

• Level 3 programmes will also be made available nationally (this process has started).

Level 4 - The process• Meetings – different VECs were given different

components to write• Writing took place• Programmes went up on the FESS website for

consultation• Comments fed back to all VECs• Programmes amended as necessary• Went back up for consultation• The process was made available through FESS• Different VECs evaluated programmes• All programmes were put through the PAA process

Co. Cavan VEC

• We wrote: Understanding interculturalism, Data Entry and Business English

• We wrote the programme information for the Security Skills Major Award

• The writing team: Mary McKenna, Michael Donohoe, Kevin Farrelly, Janna Tiearney

• Cavan Institute wrote several security programmes

Level 4 Major Awards*See breakdown of major awards. (emailed to you separately)

• General Learning• ICT Skills• Early Childhood Education and Care Support• Retail Skills• Horticulture• Private Security Services• Employment Skills• Hotel Front Office• Office Skills• Culinary Skills• Engineering Skills (not on the sheet)

* Sport and Recreation is still being written

The different awards

• All major awards have a value of 90 credits.• Every major award has core components.

• *See breakdown of major awards

Credit values

• Components are either 5, 10 or 15 credits.• 1 credit = 10 hours learning (directed and

self-directed study)

Where to find the programmes

• Certificate and component specifications can be found on www.fetac.ie

• Programmes will be available on the website: www.cavanadulteducation.ie from Friday 13th July

• (Will soon also be available on FBS, details will be emailed to all)

The certificate specification

*See ‘Employability Skills’ certificate specification as an example:

http://public.fetac.ie/AwardsLibraryPdf/4M0857_AwardSpecifications_English.pdf• This includes:

oGeneral informationo Knowledge, skill and competenceoCertificate requirement

The component specification

• See ‘Work Experience’ component specification as an example:

http://public.fetac.ie/AwardsLibraryPdf/4N1168_AwardSpecifications_English.pdf

o This includes:oGeneral informationo Learning outcomeso Assessment techniques

The programmes*See ‘Work Experience’ programme as an example: (attached in your email)• Each programme contains:

oGeneral informationo Aims and objectiveso Learning outcomeso Indicative contento Assessment oMarking sheets

Work Experience – 4N1168

The programme includes:• Introduction / General Information• Title of the programme (may differ from the

component title)• Name / Code / Duration / Credit value /

Status / Special Requirements• Aims and objectives• Learning outcomes - 10

Work Experience – 4N1168

• Indicative content: states a minimum of ten days / 70 hours work experience

• Many of the Level 4 programmes are divided into sections:

• Section 1: General Work-Related Information• Section 2: Planning and Preparation for the

Work Placement• Section 3: The Work Placement• Section 4: Reviewing the Work Placement and

Future Planning

Assessment – Collection of work

• 60%• To include:• A personal audit• A summary of potential employment and

learning opportunities• A CV• A letter of application

Assessment – Skills Demonstration

• 40%• To include:• Work Experience Employer Report

( document available at the end of the programme)

• Learner Account of Work Experience

Marking Sheet

• Allocation of marks may be more specific than the old modules.

• The marking sheets for some components are quite detailed in the new Level 4.

Old modules

• A deactivation date means that as and from that date, providers will no longer be able to enter learners for certification using the named award

• Learners may carry forward existing minor awards (components) as exemptions towards new common major and special purpose awards, where they are appropriate, until December 2014.

Programme Review

• The programme will be reviewed annually. The review process will adhere to Co. Cavan VEC’s Quality Assurance Policy, B5 Programme Development, Delivery and Review and associated procedures.

• Any comments and/or suggestions by tutors will be welcome.

Training in September

• Level 4 training – September 4th• This will centre around tutor packs, to

include:o Assessment briefso Assessment sampleso Solutions oMarking schemes