Creating Pathways

Updates from November 2023 Steering Group meeting

The ability to build skills that are relevant to the economy, and to offer inclusive provision that supports citizenship and sustains communities, are two core attributes of FET, and a strong vision for their further development over the next five years has been set out. Too often these attributes have been viewed as relating to separate parts of the system, with different FET services focused on one or the other, delivering on different national policy objectives. However, if a central goal for FET is sustainable job creation, this can only be secured by a seamless service where learners are equipped with all of the knowledge, support, and the core and technical skills that will allow them to lead fulfilled lives, continually learn, self-develop, and build successful careers. FET offers great opportunities for learners of all backgrounds and abilities, but a complex programme structure and lack of clarity about how its offerings link together to help a person progress can make it seem quite inaccessible to those considering it as an option. FET must be simplified by offering clear pathways into FET, within FET and from FET, encouraging and facilitating ongoing engagement at all stages of people’s lives and careers.

The Facilitating Pathways Implementation Advisory Group will bring all key stakeholders around the table with a role in driving strategy delivery within this pillar to focus on implementation of the Facilitating Pathways action plan.​

Creating Pathways Workstream:

The first learners for the new Tertiary Degrees commenced recently. For example, in GRETB Dunmore on the access route to Nursing commenced recently. These learners will progress to an Atlantic Technological University of their choice next year.

  • Developments for setup and recording of Tertiary programmes have been implemented on PLSS.

  • Further engagement with ETBI and the NCCA on the development of FET transition year modules has occurred with the aim of proposing modules as part of the Review of Senior Cycle. It is envisaged this work will be completed by Q1 2024.

  • World Skills and Higher Options, two major education events for school leavers, were held in the RDS in second half of September, both of which had a strong FET and Apprenticeship presence.

  • PLC enrolments increased by over 10% in 2023 to 27,405