Development of a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Strategy for the FET

Description

SOLAS requires assistance with the management of a project to develop a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) strategy for the Further Education & Training (FET) sector to cover the period 2016-2019. The FET Professional Development Strategy will be the first agreed articulation of national policy for the professional development of staff in the newly integrated Further Education and Training sector and will take account of and build on, existing good practice in the sector. The strategy will cover the period mid-2016-2019 and will outline a vision and goal- driven plans for the on-going professional development, at local and national level, of the ‘FET Practitioner’; - defined as those who manage, deliver or support the delivery of FET programmes. The CPD strategy is required to be flexible and dynamic in order to respond to the type and rate of change anticipated by the sector in the coming years. The CPD strategy will be concerned with the development of staff post-entry to the profession of FET practitioner. While the strategy development process will be cognisant of evolving national policy on the qualification requirements of FET practitioners (being led by Department of Education & Skills), the issue of FET entry qualifications does not fall within its scope. Elements of the CPD Strategy Development Process It is expected that there will be four distinct elements to the strategy development process: 1. Desk Research 2. Analysis of Data 3. Consultation with FET Stakeholders 4. Development of CPD Strategy & Action Plan