Strategic Performance Agreements for FET System National Targets 2022-2024

In January 2019, the SPAs were published.

SOLAS-funded FET provision in 2019 amounted to EUR 683 million. This comprised of EUR 430.3 million in Exchequer funding, EUR 249.1 million from the National Training Fund (NTF), and SOLAS income of EUR 3.6 million. Following provision for SOLAS running costs, there was a budget available for distribution of EUR 19.3 million to ETBs, voluntary secondary and community and comprehensive schools (VSCCS) and other FET organisations. In 2019, a capital budget of EUR 12.7 million was available to ETBs to meet carryover capital commitments from 2018 and to fund capital investment projects.

In 2019, SOLAS made EUR 606.6 million available for FET programme provision and it was estimated that 247 855 individual learners commenced a FET programme in 2019. Many participate in FET more than once, and, in this regard, the total number of beneficiaries of FET programmes was estimated at 329 293, which was almost 7% more than the reported number in 2018. ETBs catered for nearly all of the increase in planned beneficiary numbers in 2019.

The services plan provided comprehensive analysis for estimated retention, completion and accreditation rates by programme for the ETBs and other providers for 2019. Analysis was also provided on planned participation rates for the priority groups of the long-term unemployed, refugees, disabled learners and learners in need of literacy and numeracy skills. A new measurement of full-time equivalency (FTE) had been introduced taking account of the number of participation hours required for the completion of each FET programme. It was envisaged that the new measurement, which provided a different lens to view planned provision in the sector, would lead to a more transparent approach in measuring inputs, outputs and outcomes and would, therefore, inform future FET investment decisions.

The 2020 FET services plan was published in the shadow of the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. While the challenges presented were many, there was confidence that the agile nature as well as the flexible planning and funding mechanisms of FET would leave the sector well-placed to meet them.

The process of preparing the SPAs started in 2021, with some delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Intensive consultations took place. SOLAS sought the views of key stakeholders, and internally, consultation was undertaken with the Senior Leadership Team in SOLAS, the Strategic Planning Committee (a sub-committee of the SOLAS Board) and the Board. ETBs were also consulted to ensure that the agreements were co-designed and co-developed in a spirit of mutual respect and partnership. A draft framework was then developed by SOLAS.

In 2022, the consultations were concluded. The SPAs were signed between SOLAS and 16 ETBs for the period of 2022-24, within the timeframe of the current FET strategy (2020-24). The SOLAS national system report and individual SPAs were published and came into effect in December 2022.

The SOLAS system report gives an overview of overall context of the national FET and includes a summary of the collective national ambition of the ETBs and SOLAS. The report also defined each of the twelve targets, outlined the process of establishing the SPAs and reflected on the ETBs achievements in 2018-21.

By the end of 2024, Ireland's FET system is expected to achieve the following:

1. an over-12-percent increase in sustainable employment outcomes from pre-pandemic levels, with over 30 000 FET graduates securing sustainable work in 2024;
2. an over-10-percent increase in employment outcomes from pre-pandemic levels, with around 20 000 unemployed learners reskilled per year;
3. refocused on pathways within FET, expanding learning progression within FET and to higher education by up to 25%, to over 35 000 learners progressing to other courses by 2024, through the unified tertiary system;
4. sharply increased certification of transversal skills and widened participation of key target groups by at least 10% on pre-pandemic levels, while adding 10 000 places in support of the Adult literacy for Life (ALL) 10-year strategy;
5. increased lifelong learning participation by over 7% beyond pre-COVID levels, and doubling the scale of the Skills to advance workforce upskilling initiative;
6. by 15% expanded provision that focuses on critical skills needs and embedding green skill modules across all VET curricula/training courses.

In 2023, the annual progress report on the SPAs was published, showing significant growth in learner numbers, to nearly 219 000 learners accessing just over 375,00 places. Overall, one in ten adults in Ireland engages in Further Education and Training (FET). The increase in FET learners and activities included increases in the Post Leaving Certificate (PLC), and increase in Skills to Advance, an upskilling initiative for employees. In addition, the FET sector supported more than 40 000 learners from Ukraine. Participation in online learning increased to 31 000 learners, which now includes green skills offerings.

Over 5 000 learners trained in Net Zero Energy Building (NZEB), contributing to the Government's Housing for All Strategy. Over 150 000 learners undertook construction safety training.

For monitoring the SPAs and targets, there is a live data dashboard, with key metrics and progress indicators for monthly reporting. There are also informal dialogues between SOLAS and Education and Training Boards (ETBs) regarding performance.

The other key achievements noted by the 2023 report are that national system targets were exceeded significantly in the key priorities of building skills, inclusion, creating pathways.

The growth in green skills provision was not as strong as the other target, and this continues to be focus for green skills and climate action initiatives to impact the outcomes for FET.

Some target measurements, such as supporting jobs, have a time lag in reporting, as the outcomes are provided by the Central Statistics office and are only counted one year after a learner exits a FET course. The 2023 data on jobs was not available at the time of the publication of the report.

In October 2024, there was an expression of interest call for peer reviewers for an expert panel for the Strategic Dialogue Processes to inform the next round of the SPAs in alignment with the next FET Strategy for 2025-2029.