Changing Educational Landscapes and the implications for Teagasc –

a QQI perspective

Bryan MaguireHead of Qualifications Services

Oak Park, Carlow18 November 2013

QQI, an integrated agency for quality and qualifications in Ireland

Transformations• 33 VECs + FÁS training -> 16 ETBs• 14 Institutes of technology -> 8

TUs/IoTs• 19 teacher education centres -> 6• NQAI+FETAC+HETAC+IUQB -> QQI

QQI, an integrated agency for quality and qualifications in Ireland

QQI functions• Custodian of the national framework of

qualifications• Setting award standards• Making awards and validating programmes• Delegating authority to make awards• Quality assurance (review and improvement)

– further and higher education and training• Authorising the International Education Mark• Information on programmes and awards• Qualifications recognition advice

QQI, an integrated agency for quality and qualifications in Ireland

QQI the organisation• 10 member board (non-

representative)• Committee structure• 85 staff approximately• Work with external experts for many

activities• Strategy statement approval today• Comprehensive policy development

programme (May 2013 consultation)

QQI, an integrated agency for quality and qualifications in Ireland

QQI, an integrated agency for quality and qualifications in Ireland

Common Awards System• Inherited from FETAC (2009- )• Levels 1-6 • Common structure for major awards

across fields• Modular structure - components• Credit points system• National standards based on

learning outcomes QQI, an integrated agency for quality

and qualifications in Ireland

Level 5- Agriculture (5M2373)

QQI, an integrated agency for quality and qualifications in Ireland

• The total credit value required for this certificate is 120. This will be achieved by completing various modules.

QQI, an integrated agency for quality and qualifications in Ireland

Code Title Level Credit Value

All of the following component(s)

5N1730 Crop Production Science 5 10

5N2351 Animal Production Science 5 10

5N2352 Farm Business Organisation 5 10

QQI, an integrated agency for quality and qualifications in Ireland

A minimum credit value of 15 from the following component(s)

6N2191 Leadership 6 15

5N0690 Communications 5 15

5N1833 Mathematics 5 15

QQI, an integrated agency for quality and qualifications in Ireland

A minimum credit value of 60 from the following component(s)

5N1737 Beef Production 5 30

5N1739 Dairy Production 5 30

5N1738 Pig Production 5 30

5N1741 Combinable Crop Production 5 30

5N1742 Tractor Operations 5 30

5N1735 Sheep Production 5 30

QQI, an integrated agency for quality and qualifications in Ireland

A minimum credit value of 15 from the following component(s)

5N1743 Potato Production and Storage

5 10

5N1745 Agricultural Mechanics 5 10

5N1744 Crop Establishment Equipment

5 10

5N1746 Maintenance of Farm Structures 5 10

5N1750 Chemical Fertiliser Application

5 5

5N1751 Organic Manure Application 5 5

5N1747 Organic Crop Principles 5 5

5N1797 Boom Sprayer Pesticide Application

5 5

5N1752 All Terrain Vehicle Operations

5 5

5N1748 Mechanical Hedge Trimming 5 5

5N0731 Hand Held Pesticide Application

5 5

Learning outcomes – Crop Production Science (5N1730)

• Explain the living processes of plants and their relationship with environmental factors in a crop production context

• Discuss the characteristics of micro-organisms and their role in crop and animal production• Explain the relevance of physical and chemical composition of soils for modern farming practices• Outline the consequences of farming activities on the environment with respect to wildlife and

biodiversity, water quality, current European Union (EU) directives and environment protection schemes

• Appraise factors affecting grass production including the growth habits of grass and clover plants, grass seed mixture selection, role of clover, manipulation of grass growth, grass utilisation, and grass conservation

• Identify plant parts in a crop production context including name and function of; roots, stems, leaves and flowers

• Use plant identification techniques and grass measurement techniques for high value plants, common weeds, and grass growth performance in a commercial pasture sward

• Determine farm winter forage provisions including quantities required and quantities in storage, dry matter, pH and dry matter digestibility, and suitability of forages in storage

• Interpret a soil analysis report in respect of lime, nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium requirements

• Use soil analysis results as the basis for soil fertility for crop production by using organic manures, and chemical fertilisers for maintaining and correcting soil nutrient deficiencies.

QQI, an integrated agency for quality and qualifications in Ireland

Teagasc programme

QQI, an integrated agency for quality and qualifications in Ireland

The overall aim of the programme is to provide learners with the opportunity to develop the knowledge, skills, work experience and competencies necessary to achieve the FETAC Common Award. The programme will provide a comprehensive foundation education for learners wishing to pursue career opportunities in full time or part time farming or associated agricultural sectors. The programme will also facilitate students wishing to progress to a Level 6 major award in agriculture. A Level 6 major award in agriculture is also the minimum statutory qualification requirement for those wishing/eligible to avail of the Stamp Duty Exemption applicable to certain categories of land transfer; the Certificate in Agriculture Level 5 (Major Award) is an entry requirement to the Level 6 Major Award in Agriculture. There are 21 programme modules available to the learner in this programme amounting to 120 credits. Three of these modules meet the mandatory component requirements of the 5M2373 Common Award. The programme will be offered to learners either on a full time or a part time basis and has been designed to be sufficiently flexible so that it may meet the needs of school leavers wishing to pursue an agricultural education and adults actively engaged in full or part time farming. Overall the programme will of 1200 hours duration, to include both class contact time and the learner’s self-directed learning (including work experience). Upon successful completion of this programme, a learner may progress to a Level 6 Major Award programme in Agriculture or a linked designated higher education programme if appropriate. This programme will be offered at Teagasc FETAC registered centres

Major awards – level 5 (2102)

Provider Award Number of Certificates Total

Teagasc Agriculture 1319 1348

ETBs 29

Teagasc Horticulture/Garden Design 47 736

ETBs 363

FAS 211

Other 115

Teagasc Horsemanship/Equestrian 73 172

ETBs 89

FAS 10

Teagasc Forestry 31 31

QQI, an integrated agency for quality and qualifications in Ireland

Major awards - level 6 (2012)

Provider Award Number of Certificates

Teagasc Agriculture 1576

Dairy Herd Management 64

Drystock Management 52

Machinery and Crop Management

11

Horticulture/Garden Design 80

Horsebreeding/Stud Management

53

Forestry 12

QQI, an integrated agency for quality and qualifications in Ireland

Level 5• “Learning outcomes at this level

include a broad range of skills that require some theoretical understanding. The outcomes may relate to engaging in a specific activity, with the capacity to use the instruments and techniques relating to an occupation. They are associated with work being undertaken independently, subject to general direction.”

QQI, an integrated agency for quality and qualifications in Ireland

Level 6• “Learning outcomes at this level include a

comprehensive range of skills which may be vocationally-specific and/or of a general supervisory nature, and require detailed theoretical understanding. The outcomes also provide for a particular focus on learning skills. The outcomes relate to working in a generally autonomous way to assume design and/or management and/or administrative responsibilities. Occupations at this level would include higher craft, junior technician and supervisor.”

QQI, an integrated agency for quality and qualifications in Ireland

Level 7• “Learning outcomes at this level relate to knowledge

and critical understanding of the well-established principles in a field of study and the application of those principles in different contexts. This level includes knowledge of methods of enquiry and the ability to critically evaluate the appropriateness of different approaches to solving problems. The outcomes include an understanding of the limits of the knowledge acquired and how this influences analyses and interpretations in a work context. Outcomes at this level would be appropriate to the upper end of many technical occupations and would include higher technicians, some restricted professionals and junior management.”

QQI, an integrated agency for quality and qualifications in Ireland

Provider access to QQI awards

QQI, an integrated agency for quality and qualifications in Ireland

Issues for Teagasc - QQI• New guidelines for QA• Validation of programmes• Review of effectiveness of QA• Contracting with second providers• Determination of standards• Delegation of authority to Teagasc

to make awards

QQI, an integrated agency for quality and qualifications in Ireland

Future• QQI enables providers and sectoral

bodies to fulfil their missions• Greater responsibility devolves to

providers• Coordinating efforts for

improvement and relevance• Supporting transparency and

recognition

QQI, an integrated agency for quality and qualifications in Ireland

Contacts• www.qqi.ie• bmaguire@qqi.ie

QQI, an integrated agency for quality and qualifications in Ireland