CEO UPDATE

The Future of FET Sector22 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.

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