Becoming a F�S Registered Trainer
FÁS training programmes and the national drive to upskill the workforce provide excellent opportunities for trainers and their clients alike, Michael Rownan & John Greene explain
Competency Development Programme
The market for training providers has grown considerably in recent years, and a significant proportion of that growth may be attributed to the Competency Development Programme. The Competency Development Programme (CDP) is the mechanism for funding/subsidising training for people in employment. It details the financial support, eligible programmes and procedures available to assist in the up-skilling of people in employment. Priority is given to programmes that provide portable and transferable skills and to programmes targeted at increasing the competencies of people employed in low skilled occupations. This is a key element in the overall government and EU strategy on up-skilling the workforce.
From an Irish context, the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) is tasked with undertaking research to underpin the development of a National Skills Strategy including the identification of the skills required for Ireland to develop, over the period up to 2020, as a competitive, innovation-driven, knowledge-based, participative and inclusive economy. In response, the EGFSN carried out a detailed programme of research, the results of which are presented in this document “Tomorrow’s Skills Towards a National Skills Strategy (5th Report Expert Group on Future Skills Needs 2007“).
In a European training context, we now live in the world of the “Bologna Process”. This process aims to create a European Higher Education Area by 2010, in which students can choose from a wide and transparent range of high quality courses and benefit from smooth recognition procedures. The Bologna Declaration of June 1999 has put in motion a series of reforms needed to make European Higher Education more compatible and comparable, as well as making it more competitive and more attractive for both European students and those from other continents. Reform is needed if Europe is to match the performance of the best performing systems in the world, notably the United States and Asia. The three priorities of the Bologna process are: the introduction of the three cycle system (bachelor/master/doctorate), quality assurance and recognition of qualifications and periods of study.
The EU Berlin Declaration [Declaration on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the signature of the Treaties of Rome (2007) includes the following assertion: “Europe's wealth lies in the knowledge and ability of its people; that is the key to growth, employment and social cohesion”
Thus the focus of the state, and its relevant agencies, is on up-skilling our people, enabling them to utilise their talents to the maximum and at the same time gain competitive advantage in the higher skilled / higher value-added labour markets, thus protecting employability, productivity and wealth generation of the citizens as lower-skilled employment markets erode or decline.
Why become a FÁS Registered Trainer / Training Provider?
The significant funding for CDP training programmes has stimulated significant growth in the market, so there are opportunities for trainers to grow and develop their business. The percentages of funding towards approved training courses varies, but in most cases accounts for 70% of the cost of training. Employers are increasingly seeing this as a great opportunity to access tailored training to support staff development. So the CDP programme is a “win-win” situation for both customer and training organisation.
How do I Become a FÁS Registered Trainer?
The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs first proposed the concept of a “National Register of Approved Trainers” in a Forfas Report in 2001 on in-company training. The report recommended that “A national register of approved trainers should be established and made available on an appropriate website. This should be established by FÁS, in association with Enterprise Ireland, and other appropriate bodies and build on the registers already in place”.
The National Register of Trainers (NRT) was first set up internally in FÁS but later an external Committee was set up, having its first official meeting on the 14th May 2004. There are approximately 900 organisations currently approved on the NRT, with courses ranging from Childcare, IT, Health & Safety to Construction. Applications from organisations seeking to run FÁS programmes are also dealt with by the unit and these would include both the Safe Pass Tutor Accreditation Programme and programmes that would come in under the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS). FÁS training programmes and the national drive to upskill the workforce provide excellent opportunities for trainers and their clients alike, Michael Rownan & John Greene explain The National Register of Trainers (NRT) was first set up internally in FÁS but later an external Committee was set up, having its first official meeting on the 14th May 2004. There are approximately 900 organisations currently approved on the NRT, with courses ranging from Childcare, IT, Health & Safety to Construction. Applications from organisations seeking to run FÁS programmes are also dealt with by the unit and these would include both the Safe Pass Tutor Accreditation Programme and programmes that would come in under the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS).
A Note on Relevant Definitions
There are a number of terms used in this article which will require clarity before proceeding further.
The term “Training Organisation” in the context of the National Register of Trainers means individuals, sole traders, limited companies and other organisations that are involved in the provision and delivery of training and development programmes.
One Step Up refers to qualification levels in terms of the National Framework of Qualifications, or foreign equivalent, and the level of courses being applied for. Tutors are required to hold a Technical Qualification one clear step above the level of the course for which the organisation is seeking approval.
A “Technical Qualification” is regarded as one which gives a tutor the necessary knowledge to deliver a training programme and be clearly related to the subject matter of the course for which the organisation is seeking approval.
Trainers seeking approval must hold a “Training Qualification” which shows they are trained and qualified with an understanding of the principles of the psychology of education & training, know how to design and deliver training, use appropriate methodology and resources, and also have studied the area of equality relevant to the training environment.
Application Process
The application process begins firstly with the Training Organisation completing the Application for Registration as an Approved Trainer / Training Organisation, available on www.fas.ie, and submitting the completed form to the NRT unit. Upon receipt of the application, all material submitted is vetted to ensure that the application is fully & correctly completed, all Technical and Training Qualifications have been submitted for each tutor and all documentation in respect of Tax Clearance, programme outlines, etc has been submitted.
For a trainer to register, they must be able to provide evidence of technical qualification(s) relevant / directly linked to the training course subject matter and hold an approved training qualification. As discussed, the trainer must hold a relevant qualification which is one step up (or more) from the level of the course to be delivered. Tutors applying for approval are required to have a minimum of 2 years Training Experience within a Training Organisation. However, if a tutor has less experience, they may still apply through an Approved Organisation and be granted approval (once other criteria has been met) subject to appointment of an NRT approved trainer, who is also in that organisation, as a mentor.
A person with 10 years training experience may apply without holding a training qualification. In this case the applicant may apply for a Competency Based Assessment (CBA). CBA is an assessment carried out via interview and observation, conducted by an external assessor over one day, and is based on the 15 Core Competencies, which an approved Training Qualification must satisfy, and is considered a “substitute” to a Training Qualification.
If an applicant is not in a position to fulfill the training qualification requirement, consideration may be given to tutors who do not possess a Training Qualification and approval will be given to facilitate such tutors attaining a suitable Training Qualification. Some of these cost around €1,000, but they may be subsidised by CDP funding of 70%: this training would have to be confirmed with the course provider. Applications from Trainers / Training Organisation will be considered, when a tutor does not yet possess a Training Qualification, if a tutor has completed a Training Qualification, but is yet to receive their qualification, when supported by a written declaration from the Training Provider that this applicant has completed the course and is awaiting their results or Certificate. Full approval would be subject to confirmation of successful completion of the course and receipt of a copy of the Certificate.
Please note that, in terms of CDP funding, when a trainer is registered with FAS, it would be necessary for the Training Organisation to discuss and agree, in advance, funding arrangements with the appropriate (regional/geographical) FÁS Services to Business unit and the proposed client(s), prior to commencement of any training.
If you wish to contact the National Register of Trainers unit you may call FÁS on 01 – 6070500 or email direct to the unit via nrt@fas.ie.
Did you know……?
FÁS Training Services provide training through its network of 20 training centres for over 36,000 clients annually. To deliver specific training in demand sectors or to provide programmes in locations where it has no training centre, FÁS also contracts approved training providers to meet its requirements.
In 2006, over 6,500 jobseekers were training by contracted external providers delivering FÁS approved programmes
Competency Development Programme
The market for training providers has grown considerably in recent years, and a significant proportion of that growth may be attributed to the Competency Development Programme. The Competency Development Programme (CDP) is the mechanism for funding/subsidising training for people in employment. It details the financial support, eligible programmes and procedures available to assist in the up-skilling of people in employment. Priority is given to programmes that provide portable and transferable skills and to programmes targeted at increasing the competencies of people employed in low skilled occupations. This is a key element in the overall government and EU strategy on up-skilling the workforce.
From an Irish context, the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) is tasked with undertaking research to underpin the development of a National Skills Strategy including the identification of the skills required for Ireland to develop, over the period up to 2020, as a competitive, innovation-driven, knowledge-based, participative and inclusive economy. In response, the EGFSN carried out a detailed programme of research, the results of which are presented in this document “Tomorrow’s Skills Towards a National Skills Strategy (5th Report Expert Group on Future Skills Needs 2007“).
In a European training context, we now live in the world of the “Bologna Process”. This process aims to create a European Higher Education Area by 2010, in which students can choose from a wide and transparent range of high quality courses and benefit from smooth recognition procedures. The Bologna Declaration of June 1999 has put in motion a series of reforms needed to make European Higher Education more compatible and comparable, as well as making it more competitive and more attractive for both European students and those from other continents. Reform is needed if Europe is to match the performance of the best performing systems in the world, notably the United States and Asia. The three priorities of the Bologna process are: the introduction of the three cycle system (bachelor/master/doctorate), quality assurance and recognition of qualifications and periods of study.
The EU Berlin Declaration [Declaration on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the signature of the Treaties of Rome (2007) includes the following assertion: “Europe's wealth lies in the knowledge and ability of its people; that is the key to growth, employment and social cohesion”
Thus the focus of the state, and its relevant agencies, is on up-skilling our people, enabling them to utilise their talents to the maximum and at the same time gain competitive advantage in the higher skilled / higher value-added labour markets, thus protecting employability, productivity and wealth generation of the citizens as lower-skilled employment markets erode or decline.
Why become a FÁS Registered Trainer / Training Provider?
The significant funding for CDP training programmes has stimulated significant growth in the market, so there are opportunities for trainers to grow and develop their business. The percentages of funding towards approved training courses varies, but in most cases accounts for 70% of the cost of training. Employers are increasingly seeing this as a great opportunity to access tailored training to support staff development. So the CDP programme is a “win-win” situation for both customer and training organisation.
How do I Become a FÁS Registered Trainer?
The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs first proposed the concept of a “National Register of Approved Trainers” in a Forfas Report in 2001 on in-company training. The report recommended that “A national register of approved trainers should be established and made available on an appropriate website. This should be established by FÁS, in association with Enterprise Ireland, and other appropriate bodies and build on the registers already in place”.
A Note on Relevant Definitions
There are a number of terms used in this article which will require clarity before proceeding further.
The term “Training Organisation” in the context of the National Register of Trainers means individuals, sole traders, limited companies and other organisations that are involved in the provision and delivery of training and development programmes.
One Step Up refers to qualification levels in terms of the National Framework of Qualifications, or foreign equivalent, and the level of courses being applied for. Tutors are required to hold a Technical Qualification one clear step above the level of the course for which the organisation is seeking approval.
A “Technical Qualification” is regarded as one which gives a tutor the necessary knowledge to deliver a training programme and be clearly related to the subject matter of the course for which the organisation is seeking approval.
Trainers seeking approval must hold a “Training Qualification” which shows they are trained and qualified with an understanding of the principles of the psychology of education & training, know how to design and deliver training, use appropriate methodology and resources, and also have studied the area of equality relevant to the training environment.
Application Process
The application process begins firstly with the Training Organisation completing the Application for Registration as an Approved Trainer / Training Organisation, available on www.fas.ie, and submitting the completed form to the NRT unit. Upon receipt of the application, all material submitted is vetted to ensure that the application is fully & correctly completed, all Technical and Training Qualifications have been submitted for each tutor and all documentation in respect of Tax Clearance, programme outlines, etc has been submitted.
For a trainer to register, they must be able to provide evidence of technical qualification(s) relevant / directly linked to the training course subject matter and hold an approved training qualification. As discussed, the trainer must hold a relevant qualification which is one step up (or more) from the level of the course to be delivered. Tutors applying for approval are required to have a minimum of 2 years Training Experience within a Training Organisation. However, if a tutor has less experience, they may still apply through an Approved Organisation and be granted approval (once other criteria has been met) subject to appointment of an NRT approved trainer, who is also in that organisation, as a mentor.
A person with 10 years training experience may apply without holding a training qualification. In this case the applicant may apply for a Competency Based Assessment (CBA). CBA is an assessment carried out via interview and observation, conducted by an external assessor over one day, and is based on the 15 Core Competencies, which an approved Training Qualification must satisfy, and is considered a “substitute” to a Training Qualification.
If an applicant is not in a position to fulfill the training qualification requirement, consideration may be given to tutors who do not possess a Training Qualification and approval will be given to facilitate such tutors attaining a suitable Training Qualification. Some of these cost around €1,000, but they may be subsidised by CDP funding of 70%: this training would have to be confirmed with the course provider. Applications from Trainers / Training Organisation will be considered, when a tutor does not yet possess a Training Qualification, if a tutor has completed a Training Qualification, but is yet to receive their qualification, when supported by a written declaration from the Training Provider that this applicant has completed the course and is awaiting their results or Certificate. Full approval would be subject to confirmation of successful completion of the course and receipt of a copy of the Certificate.
Please note that, in terms of CDP funding, when a trainer is registered with FAS, it would be necessary for the Training Organisation to discuss and agree, in advance, funding arrangements with the appropriate (regional/geographical) FÁS Services to Business unit and the proposed client(s), prior to commencement of any training.
If you wish to contact the National Register of Trainers unit you may call FÁS on 01 – 6070500 or email direct to the unit via nrt@fas.ie.
Did you know……?
FÁS Training Services provide training through its network of 20 training centres for over 36,000 clients annually. To deliver specific training in demand sectors or to provide programmes in locations where it has no training centre, FÁS also contracts approved training providers to meet its requirements.
In 2006, over 6,500 jobseekers were training by contracted external providers delivering FÁS approved programmes
