The Further Education and Training Awards Council (Irish:Comhairle na nDámhachtainí Breisoideachais agus Oiliúna) (FETAC) is the statutory awarding body for further education in Ireland. FETAC was established on June 11, 2001 under the Qualifications (Education and Training) Act 1999.[1]
FETAC is the successor to the National Council for Vocational Awards (NCVA) and also makes awards previously made by Fáilte Ireland - National Tourism Development Authority (previously Bord Fáilte and CERT), FÁS - Training and Employment Authority, National Council for Educational Awards (Foundation Certificate only) and Teagasc - Agriculture and Food Development Authority.
As well as making awards, FETAC validates, monitors and ensures the quality of teaching programmes and determines standards.
FETAC does not deliver the award programmes itself, they are delivered by a number of bodies in both the public and private sector. Examples of teaching bodies in the public sector are Bord Iascaigh Mhara, FÁS, Teagasc, Vocational Education Committees and Institutes of Technology.
Awards granted by FETAC are in the process of being integrated into the ten-level National Framework of Qualifications under the supervision of the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland. FETAC awards fall into levels 1 - 6 of the framework.[2]