Access, Transfer and Progression

The NFQ is now the single mechanism for recognising all education and training in Ireland. One of the main objectives of the Framework is to provide flexibility for learners to take up education and training opportunities at any stage throughout their lives. The opportunities should be appropriate to the person’s ambitions, commitment and abilities and the person should receive due recognition for the qualifications they achieve. This is sometimes referred to as ‘Lifelong learning’. The Authority has put in place various policies to assist with achieving a lifelong learning society in Ireland. These policies relate to access to programmes of education and training, transfer between programmes of education and progression from one programme to another programme at a higher level on the NFQ. These policies are collectively referred to as Access, Transfer and Progression.

Definitions of Access, Transfer and Progression

The Qualifications Act defines access, transfer and progression as follows:

Access: access is gaining entry to and participation in education and training institutions or programmes. In certain circumstances before admittance is granted certain criteria may need to be fulfilled. Some examples may include a requirement for a particular qualification (award), education level, skills or work experience etc. from the awarding body.

Transfer: the process by which learners may transfer from one programme of education and training to another programme having received recognition for knowledge, skill or competence acquired.

Progression: the process by which learners may transfer from one programme of education and training to another where each programme is of a higher academic level than the preceding programme.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is defined as ‘a process by which prior learning is given a value’. RPL makes it possible for a person to build on learning already achieved and be formally rewarded for the learning. Prior learning is ‘learning that is acquired through formal, non-formal or informal routes’, for example it could be learning achieved from attending a formal education or training programme, learning achieved on the job or learning attained while a person is involved in voluntary activities in the community.

It is a policy of the Authority to encourage and support the development of processes for the recognition of prior learning. These policies can be developed by awarding bodies e.g. FETAC or HETAC or they may be RPL initiatives put in place by providers of education and training. Generally, RPL can be given to a learner for the purposes of

entry to a programme leading to an award
credit towards an award or exemption from some programme requirements
eligibility for a full award

The main responsibilities of the Authority, awarding bodies and providers of education and training are set out in the Principles and Operational Guidelines for the Recognition of Prior Learning at http://www.nqai.ie/publications_by_topic.html#rpl

While the Authority has an overall role in developing policy in relation to access, transfer and progression, the Councils (FETAC and HETAC) and providers generally implement access, transfer and progression arrangements and RPL.

Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC)

In April 2005, FETAC agreed a policy on the recognition of prior learning. As of 2006, this applies to all providers registered with it. For further details, see http://www.fetac.ie/rpl/Default.htm

Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC)

In 2001, HETAC agreed its policy on Prior Experiential Learning. In addition, HETAC also provides for direct access to its awards on the basis of the recognition of prior learning. For further information see http://www.hetac.ie/publications.cfm?sID=48