Taking Stock of Quality Assurance in Apprenticeships

More than 160 key stakeholders engaged in Quality Assurance (QA) of NFQ Level 5-9 apprenticeships converged on Dublin Castle on Monday 8th April to explore how QA contributes to better apprenticeship programmes.

Employers, providers, FET Directors, union representatives and learners shared their insights on how they have used QA to enhance the quality of training provision and support the skills development of apprentices.

At the heart of the event was QQI’s Quality Assurance Guidelines for Apprenticeship Programmes. The audience shared their thoughts and opinions on how these Guidelines have performed in steering the implementation of programmes and practical realities that have either hindered or aided the process so far.

A key objective from the day was to collect initial feedback for use in reviewing the existing QA guidelines.  This process will continue with a report being published by QQI’s apprenticeship unit in the coming weeks which will outline the highlights from the day and further findings and recommendations.