New publication: QQI Certification Data and Analysis 2023

The QQI Certification Data and Analysis 2023 is now available on our website.

These are some of the key findings:

• The number of learners attaining FET and HE awards from QQI increased in 2023 for a fourth consecutive year since 2020. The increase is particularly significant in FET which increased by 15% from 2022, the largest increase since 2014.It suggests further recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic which was significant across 2020 and 2021.
• The number of QQI FET major awards increased in 2023 from 2022 at all levels of the NFQ. The increase is more noticeable at the lower levels of the NFQ (levels 1 to 3) and at level 6. The increase is partly explained by a rise in awards made to apprentices.
• The number of QQI HE major awards made in 2023 declined at NFQ levels 7 and 8 from 2022. A downward trend has been observed at NFQ level 7 since 2019.
• Craft apprenticeship certification was significantly impacted by COVID-19 but certification volumes have recovered in the years since 2021. In 2023, certification of these awards increased 56% from 2021 and 28% from 2022.
• In relation to non-major awards:
  • there was a notable increase in the volume of special purpose awards made in the FET sector up 30% from 2021 and 44% from 2022. The increase in 2023 was partly explained by a significant number of awards made in two newly certified awards: 'Door Security Practices' and 'Security Guarding'.
  • In HE, certification of special purpose awards in 2023 increased by 4% from 2022 (22% from 2021). Minor awards decreased by 2% in 2023 from 2022, following a 22% increase in 2022 from the previous year.

You can find the analysis of data from previous years on our website here