One hundred and eighty-eight staff members at Foyle Donegal have earned Level 3 QQI certificates in recognition of prior learning (RPL) in the workplace.
Donegal ETB’s Further Education and Training (FET) Service presented the large group with their accreditation at an event on Monday last.
Donegal ETB’s FET Service met Foyle Donegal last year to discuss the provision of courses for their employees across a range of levels and subject areas. However, as many had already gained a range of skills and knowledge through in-house training and experiential learning, the focus switched to accrediting these skills and evidence was gathered and strategies devised to link that learning to standards on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).
Donegal ETB and Foyle Food Group Officials pictured at presentations. Seated L-R: Andrina Wafer (QQI), Martina Needham (ETB), Malachy McAteer (FFG), Barbara King (FFG), Crona Gallagher (ETB), Patricia Walsh (ETB). Back L-R:(All FFG) Joanna Slomkowska, Martin McDermott, John Cunningham, Lesley Otterson and Patrica Grant.
Presenting the awards, Malachy McAteer, Operations Director of Foyle Food Group said, ‘I wish to congratulate all Foyle Donegal employees and commend the collaboration between Donegal ETB and Foyle Donegal. The achievement of the employees is testament to the commitment of Foyle Donegal, especially our HR Manager Barbara King, to employee development.”
Donegal ETB’s Director of FET, Cróna Gallagher stated, “Donegal ETB’s FET Service acknowledges that learning takes places in a range of environments such as the classroom, the workplace and the community and that skills, knowledge and competencies are achieved through formal, non-formal and informal experiences and learning.
“Acknowledging this has led to the recognition that many learners have skills, knowledge and competencies that have not been formally validated against the standards outlined on the National Framework of Qualifications. I am pleased to see that the introduction of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) has enabled Donegal ETB’s FET Service to support employers in the county to upskill their employees.”
Qualifications and Quality Ireland (QQI)’s representative Andrina Wafer attended the presentation and spoke about the success of the collaboration between Foyle Food Group and Donegal ETB. She said that Donegal ETB has led the way in Recognition and Accreditation of Prior Learning in both Ireland and within the European Union.
Donegal ETB has started to expand this initiative to other work environments. Employers who are interested in discussing this should contact Martina Needham at martinaneedham@donegaletb.ie.
See group photos from the presentations below: