FET Implementation Guidelines

Following Government publication of the Guidance for Further & Higher Education for returning to on-site activity in autumn 2020 and in view of the specific features and context of FET campuses, colleges and centres, context-specific measures are required to accommodate the unique features of the sector while operating within the overall public health guidance framework.

200812FETimplementationGuidelinesFinaltoissueV1.1 Implementation Guidelines have been agreed following a number of meetings with key stakeholders on the requirements for practical guidance for re-opening of FET institutions. This document developed in collaboration with the Department and SOLAS will take precedence over any other documents published in the context of the ETB FET re-opening and should serve as a key reference for all FET institutions.

The Implementation Guidelines sets out a range of such context-specific measures with practical guidance for FET Institutions to safely deliver teaching and learning activities in autumn 2020. These features present very specific challenges and require bespoke solutions in the context of re-opening.

FET Institutions will operate within the parameters of public health and safety advice. Specifically, the Return to Work Protocol and public health guidance, as it develops on a rolling basis, will be adhered to. The safety and well-being of learners will be paramount in all cases.

A further document clarifying some of the issues raised by staff representatives has also been agreed to issue to the sector. An operational working group with representatives from key stakeholders (i.e. SOLAS, Department of Further Higher Education, Research, Science and Innovation, TUI & SIPTU) has been established to address operational issues as they arise.

As well as addressing the key issues in relation to the re-opening of the FET sector, Implementation Guidelines will provide additional information for the following areas: