QQI is Ireland's new integrated agency for quality and qualifications that was formed through the merger of several bodies. It oversees further and higher education qualifications frameworks and quality assurance. Teagasc offers agricultural qualifications up to Level 6 that fall under QQI's common awards system. This involves modular components and credit points. QQI is working to streamline processes like validation and quality reviews that Teagasc must go through. Overall, QQI aims to support education providers like Teagasc while taking on more responsibility for qualifications and quality improvement across Ireland's education system.

1. Changing Educational Landscapes
and the implications for Teagasc –
a QQI perspective
Bryan Maguire
Head of Qualifications Services
Oak Park, Carlow
18 November 2013
QQI, an integrated agency for quality
and qualifications in Ireland

2. Transformations
• 33 VECs + FÁS training -> 16 ETBs
• 14 Institutes of technology -> 8
TUs/IoTs
• 19 teacher education centres -> 6
• NQAI+FETAC+HETAC+IUQB -> QQI
QQI, an integrated agency for quality
and qualifications in Ireland

3. QQI functions
• Custodian of the national framework of
qualifications
• Setting award standards
• Making awards and validating programmes
• Delegating authority to make awards
• Quality assurance (review and improvement)
– further and higher education and training
• Authorising the International Education Mark
• Information on programmes and awards
• Qualifications recognition advice
QQI, an integrated agency for quality
and qualifications in Ireland

4. QQI the organisation
• 10 member board (nonrepresentative)
• Committee structure
• 85 staff approximately
• Work with external experts for many
activities
• Strategy statement approval today
• Comprehensive policy development
programme (May 2013 consultation)
QQI, an integrated agency for quality
and qualifications in Ireland

5. QQI, an integrated agency for quality and qualifications in Ireland

6. Common Awards System
• Inherited from FETAC (2009- )
• Levels 1-6
• Common structure for major
awards across fields
• Modular structure - components
• Credit points system
• National standards based on
learning outcomes
QQI, an integrated agency for quality
and qualifications in Ireland

7. Level 5- Agriculture (5M2373)
• The total credit value required for
this certificate is 120. This will be
achieved by completing various
modules.
QQI, an integrated agency for quality
and qualifications in Ireland

8. Code
Title
Level
Credit Value
All of the following component(s)
5N1730
Crop Production Science
5
10
5N2351
Animal Production Science
5
10
5N2352
Farm Business Organisation
5
10
QQI, an integrated agency for quality
and qualifications in Ireland

9. A minimum credit value of 15 from the following component(s)
6N2191
Leadership
6
15
5N0690
Communications 5
15
5N1833
Mathematics
15
5
QQI, an integrated agency for quality
and qualifications in Ireland

10. A minimum credit value of 60 from the following component(s)
5N1737
Beef Production 5
30
5N1739
Dairy
Production
5
30
5N1738
Pig Production
5
30
5N1741
Combinable
5
Crop Production
30
5N1742
Tractor
Operations
5
30
5N1735
Sheep
Production
5
30
QQI, an integrated agency for quality
and qualifications in Ireland

11. A minimum credit value of 15 from the following component(s)
5N1743
Potato
Production and 5
Storage
10
5N1745
Agricultural
Mechanics
5
10
5N1744
Crop
Establishment
Equipment
5
10
5N1746
Maintenance of
5
Farm Structures
10
5N1750
Chemical
Fertiliser
Application
5
5
5N1751
Organic Manure
5
Application
5
5N1747
Organic Crop
Principles
5
5
5N1797
Boom Sprayer
Pesticide
Application
5
5
5N1752
All Terrain
Vehicle
Operations
5
5
5N1748
Mechanical
5
Hedge Trimming
5
5N0731
Hand Held
Pesticide
Application
5
5
QQI, an integrated agency for quality
and qualifications in Ireland

12. Learning outcomes – Crop Production
Science (5N1730)
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•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Explain the living processes of plants and their relationship with environmental factors in a crop
production context
Discuss the characteristics of micro-organisms and their role in crop and animal production
Explain the relevance of physical and chemical composition of soils for modern farming practices
Outline the consequences of farming activities on the environment with respect to wildlife and
biodiversity, water quality, current European Union (EU) directives and environment protection
schemes
Appraise factors affecting grass production including the growth habits of grass and clover
plants, grass seed mixture selection, role of clover, manipulation of grass growth, grass
utilisation, and grass conservation
Identify plant parts in a crop production context including name and function of; roots, stems,
leaves and flowers
Use plant identification techniques and grass measurement techniques for high value plants,
common weeds, and grass growth performance in a commercial pasture sward
Determine farm winter forage provisions including quantities required and quantities in storage,
dry matter, pH and dry matter digestibility, and suitability of forages in storage
Interpret a soil analysis report in respect of lime, nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium
requirements
Use soil analysis results as the basis for soil fertility for crop production by using organic
manures, and chemical fertilisers for maintaining and correcting soil nutrient deficiencies.
QQI, an integrated agency for quality
and qualifications in Ireland

13. Teagasc programme
The overall aim of the programme is to provide learners with the opportunity to
develop the knowledge, skills, work experience and competencies necessary to
achieve the FETAC Common Award. The programme will provide a
comprehensive foundation education for learners wishing to pursue career
opportunities in full time or part time farming or associated agricultural sectors.
The programme will also facilitate students wishing to progress to a Level 6 major
award in agriculture. A Level 6 major award in agriculture is also the minimum
statutory qualification requirement for those wishing/eligible to avail of the Stamp
Duty Exemption applicable to certain categories of land transfer; the Certificate in
Agriculture Level 5 (Major Award) is an entry requirement to the Level 6 Major
Award in Agriculture. There are 21 programme modules available to the learner in
this programme amounting to 120 credits. Three of these modules meet the
mandatory component requirements of the 5M2373 Common Award. The
programme will be offered to learners either on a full time or a part time basis and
has been designed to be sufficiently flexible so that it may meet the needs of
school leavers wishing to pursue an agricultural education and adults actively
engaged in full or part time farming. Overall the programme will of 1200 hours
duration, to include both class contact time and the learner’s self-directed learning
(including work experience). Upon successful completion of this programme, a
learner may progress to a Level 6 Major Award programme in Agriculture or a
linked designated higher education programme if appropriate. This programme will
be offered at Teagasc FETAC registered agency for quality
QQI, an integrated centres
and qualifications in Ireland

14. Major awards – level 5 (2102)
Provider
Award
Number of Certificates
Total
Teagasc
Agriculture
1319
1348
ETBs
Teagasc
29
Horticulture/Garden Design
47
ETBs
363
FAS
211
Other
736
115
Teagasc
Horsemanship/Equestrian
73
ETBs
89
FAS
172
10
Teagasc
Forestry
QQI, an integrated agency for quality
and qualifications in Ireland
31
31

15. Major awards - level 6 (2012)
Provider
Award
Number of
Certificates
Teagasc
Agriculture
1576
Dairy Herd Management
64
Drystock Management
52
Machinery and Crop
Management
11
Horticulture/Garden Design
80
Horsebreeding/Stud
Management
53
Forestry
12
QQI, an integrated agency for quality
and qualifications in Ireland

16. Level 5
• “Learning outcomes at this level
include a broad range of skills that
require some theoretical
understanding. The outcomes may
relate to engaging in a specific activity,
with the capacity to use the
instruments and techniques relating to
an occupation. They are associated
with work being undertaken
independently, subject to general
direction.”
QQI, an integrated agency for quality
and qualifications in Ireland

17. Level 6
• “Learning outcomes at this level include a
comprehensive range of skills which may
be vocationally-specific and/or of a general
supervisory nature, and require detailed
theoretical understanding. The outcomes
also provide for a particular focus on
learning skills. The outcomes relate to
working in a generally autonomous way to
assume design and/or management
and/or administrative responsibilities.
Occupations at this level would include
higher craft, junior technician and
supervisor.”
QQI, an integrated agency for quality
and qualifications in Ireland

18. Level 7
• “Learning outcomes at this level relate to knowledge
and critical understanding of the well-established
principles in a field of study and the application of
those principles in different contexts. This level
includes knowledge of methods of enquiry and the
ability to critically evaluate the appropriateness of
different approaches to solving problems. The
outcomes include an understanding of the limits of
the knowledge acquired and how this influences
analyses and interpretations in a work context.
Outcomes at this level would be appropriate to the
upper end of many technical occupations and would
include higher technicians, some restricted
professionals and junior management.”
QQI, an integrated agency for quality
and qualifications in Ireland

19. Provider access to QQI awards
QQI, an integrated agency for quality
and qualifications in Ireland

20. Issues for Teagasc - QQI
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•
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New guidelines for QA
Validation of programmes
Review of effectiveness of QA
Contracting with second providers
Determination of standards
Delegation of authority to Teagasc
to make awards
QQI, an integrated agency for quality
and qualifications in Ireland

21. Future
• QQI enables providers and sectoral
bodies to fulfil their missions
• Greater responsibility devolves to
providers
• Coordinating efforts for
improvement and relevance
• Supporting transparency and
recognition
QQI, an integrated agency for quality
and qualifications in Ireland

22. Contacts
• www.qqi.ie
• bmaguire@qqi.ie
QQI, an integrated agency for quality
and qualifications in Ireland