Framework Agreement-External Authentication(Verification)of Assessments Service for FÁS

FAS - Foras Aiseanna Saothair, Training and Employment Authority

FÁS, the Training and Employment Authority was established in January 1988 under the Labour Services Act 1987. Its functions include the operation of training and employment programmes, the provision of an employment/recruitment service and an advisory and support service for business.
As and from 1.1.2011, responsibility for FÁS’ Employment Services and Community Employment programmes transferred to the Department of Social Protection. It is anticipated that these functions will be fully integrated into the Department by mid 2011, including the transfer of staff and relevant assets. FÁS will continue to provide these services on behalf of the Department of Social Protection in the interim.
An external authentication of assessment service provider will be selected and assigned by FÁS for independent confirmation of fair and consistent assessment processes and learner results, in line with FETAC requirements and national standards. FÁS requires one service provider across all FÁS training provision. The service provider is required to be independent of all FAS training, curriculum and assessment development and/or delivery. The service provider must also have the capacity to establish and administer the system to include elements such as sampling strategies, trend analysis and reporting. A high proficiency in spoken and written English is required.
External authentication of assessment includes checking and authentication of internal verification reports, sampling a range of learner assessment evidence and moderating assessment results in accordance with standards outlined in the Award Specification. It also includes the provision of constructive feedback to FÁS, completion of external authentication reports and signing-off on assessment results. Good practice and areas for improvement identified during external authentication will be documented and communicated to FÁS management.
The service provider must have access to individuals with the expertise, qualifications and capacity to authenticate assessment processes and results in a range of award areas across the nine fields of learning. These individuals will have an understanding of Quality Assurance within the education, training and skills sector. They will have some experience in the area of monitoring and/or auditing. They will carry out their duties including site visits and reporting in a confidential and objective manner.
The External Authentication Service will be conducted after internal verification, prior to Results Approval meetings, and in advance of all requests for certificates to FETAC. It will be conducted on a sampling basis, six times a year, based on FETAC’s published certification date. It will involve the organisation of site visits to multiple FÁS training locations nationwide within a specified timeframe.
Additional information is available at:
FÁS www.fas.ie.
FETAC www.fetac.ie.
Fields of Education and Training ISCED.
http://www.ua.gov.tr/uploads/erasmus/ISCED%20codes.pdf http://www.hea.ie/files/files/file/statistics/SRS%20User%20Files/EurostatISCED.pdf />NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the eTenders Web Site at http://www.etenders.gov.ie/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=208472.

The time limit for receipt of tenders was 2011-04-07. The procurement was published on 2011-03-16.

• • FAS - Foras Aiseanna Saothair, Training and Employment Authority

• • Training services › Vocational training services

• • Éire/Ireland