40 Spotlight on VET – 2018 compilation

VET in Ireland
Most vocational education and training (VET) NFQ levels 4 to 6 (EQF 3 to 5). Partial awards
occurs within the State sector, although private are also made. Trainees may include school
providers also play a role. Ireland’s education and leavers, older learners, the employed and the
training system is divided into four sectors: primary, unemployed;
secondary, further education and training (FET), and -- post leaving certificate courses (PLCs), delivered
higher education. Until 2016, VET occurred mostly in ETB colleges or second-level schools; they
within the FET sector. However, following reform of comprise general and/or vocationally oriented
the FET sector and a review of the apprenticeship education. Typically, training is in areas such as
system, higher education providers have, since late technical knowledge, personal/core skills and
2016, offered a limited number of apprenticeship some work experience; PLCs lead to an NFQ
courses, with the number of programmes and level 5 or 6 award (EQF 4 or 5). Partial awards
learners expected to increase in the medium term. are also made.
Within the FET sector, the main providers of VET at tertiary level: apprenticeship courses in
VET are 16 education and training boards (ETBs) this sector were formally introduced in 2016. They
countrywide. Responsibility for funding, planning combine off-the job training (including online) with
and coordinating FET programmes at ETBs lies with on-the job training with an employer. Training occurs
SOLAS, Ireland’s Further Education and Training in a variety of sectors, including financial services,
Authority. Other statutory providers include BIM engineering, and hospitality. On completion,
(seafood industry training) and Teagasc (agricultural learners can achieve awards spanning NFQ levels
training). These bodies are publicly funded. Some 6 to 9 (EQF 5 to 7). Expansion to NFQ 10 (EQF 8) is
programmes are jointly financed by the European due in 2019 in the engineering sector.
Social Fund. VET programmes are also offered for second
Within the higher education sector, VET chance education and training.
programmes are the responsibility of the Higher -- VTOS (vocational training for the unemployed)
Education Authority (the statutory planning and and specific skills training for the unemployed
policy body for higher education). VET is provided in a vocational skill (such as computer hardware
by institutes of technology and, to a lesser extent, by maintenance) are delivered by ETBs. Full and
universities and other higher education providers. partial awards are made, at NFQ levels 3 to 6
Most learners undertake VET courses on (EQF 2 to 5).
completion of upper secondary education. While -- Back to education initiative (part-time for adults).
it is possible to enter some apprenticeship training This programme offers a mix of general and VET
with NFQ level 3/EQF level 2 qualifications, ­most courses, with full and partial awards spanning
pupils attain upper secondary awards at NFQ level NFQ levels 1 to 6 (EQF 1 to 5).
4/5 (EQF 3/4). Other education and training programmes are
VET programmes within FET include: also provided in second chance education, with full
-- apprenticeship training, combining off-the-job and partial awards at NFQ levels 1 to 6 (EQF 1 to 5);
training (in ETBs and institutes of technology) they are delivered mainly by ETBs.
and on-the-job training (with an employer). -- Youthreach (for early school leavers aged 15 to
Training leads to awards at either NFQ level 5 20).
or 6 (EQF 4 or 5). Traditionally, apprenticeships -- Literacy training and other further education and
in the FET sector were concentrated in the training.
construction/engineering sectors. However,
new post-2016 apprenticeships have been
extended to include other sectors (such as
hospitality, transport, retail, ICT and finance);
-- traineeship, an occupational skills development
training model designed to meet the needs of
local employers. Training takes place both on-
and off-the job and leads to awards spanning
 
VET in Ireland's education and training system 41

IE

SECOND CHANCE AND ADULT LEARNING

EQF 1-5 EQF 2-5 EQF 1-5 EQF 1-5
TERTIARY LEVEL
Vocational
Youthreach training for Literacy
programmes the training and
EQF 8
for early Back to
unemployed education other further
Doctoral school (VOTS); education
leavers aged initiative
programmes, specific and training
3+ years 15-20 skills
ISCED 864 training ISCED 342, 343,
351, 352, 353,
EQF 6-7 ISCED 244, 343 ISCED 353 451 ISCED 243, 343
Post-graduate
programmes,1-2 years
ISCED 667, 767 POST-SECONDARY LEVEL
EQF 5-6

EQF 4-5

Undergraduate
EQF 6
programmes, Apprenticeship
3-5 years Undergraduate up to 4 years,
EQF 5 EQF 3-5 EQF 4-5
programmes, WBL ca 80%
3 years Higher certificate Traineeship various du- Post-leaving certificate
programmes, 2 years rations, WBL min 30% courses, 1-2 years
18+ 12+ ISCED 665, 666 ISCED 665 ISCED 544, 554 ISCED 453 ISCED 253, 353, 453 ISCED 453/443

EQF 3-4 EQF 3-4

18 13 SECONDARY LEVEL
Upper secondary general Upper secondary
17 12 programme, general programme,
2 years 2 years
16 11 ISCED 344 ISCED 343

Optional transition ISCED 341

EQF 2
15 10
14 9 Lower secondary programmes at different schools

13 8 ISCED 244

AGE YEARS in E&T

General education programmes Giving access to tertiary education

VET programmes End of compulsory education

Programmes combining VET and general education
Possible progression routes
Also available to adults
Possible, but atypical study paths
Officially recognised vocational qualifications

Qualifications allowing access to the next education level WBL Work-based learning, either at the workplace or a VET institution

NB: ISCED-P
NB: ISCED-P 2011.2011.
Source: Cedefop and ReferNet Ireland.
Source: Cedefop and ReferNet Ireland.
 Publication:
Spotlight on VET – 2018 compilation:
vocational education and training systems in Europe.

Access the full publication at:

www.cedefop.europa.eu/en/publications-and-resources/publications/4168

Please cite this chapter as:

Cedefop (2019). VET in Ireland. In: Cedefop (2019). Spotlight on VET – 2018 compilation: vocational
education and training systems in Europe. Luxembourg: Publications Office, pp. 40-41.
http://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2801/009

© Cedefop, 2019