Self-Evaluation and Quality Improvement

Quality Assurance (QA)

All programmes offered by LMETB centres are reviewed at intermittent periods. Feedback is sought from learners and staff on assessment loads, assessment methods, programme resources and programme delivery.

Currently, courses are monitored at centre-level with mid-course and end-of-course evaluations. This allows issues to be identified quickly and to be acted upon, and further supports to be put into place, should these be necessary. LMETB has developed templates to assist centres in issuing these evaluations.

Internal Verification processes provide an opportunity to monitor the assessment processes, while the External Authentication and the Results Approval Panel (RAP) meeting provide opportunities for the monitoring of results and issues arising from that particular assessment period. RAP reports are reviewed in collated form by the QA sub-committee, which facilitates the identification of long-term trends.

Notepad with Self Evaluation written on it

In 2018, LMETB completed re-engagement with QQI through which its QA policies and procedures were formally approved. As part of this process, LMETB undertook a self-evaluation process involving a review of QA processes and procedures across FET provision. Click here to view LMETB Executive Self Evaluation Report 2017.

Based on the outcomes from the Self-Evaluation process, a Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) for LMETB FET programmes and services was developed and approved in June 2018.

View: LMETB Quality Improvement Plan 2018.

 View LMETB Quality Improvement Plan 2019

View  LMETB Quality Improvement Plan 2020.

QQI Inaugural Review of QA in LMETB:

QQI’s Inaugural Review of Quality Assurance in Education and Training Boards commenced in 2021. More information on the process of the review is available HERE

 As part of its preparation for the QQI Inaugural Review of QA, LMETB was required to submit a provider profile to QQI, which is available to view HERE

LMETB’s Self-Evaluation Report, prepared as part of the QQI Inaugural Review of QA,  is  an analysis of LMETB, its identity and its approach to quality assurance and enhancement in accordance with the Terms of Reference set by QQI. 

In the Self- Evaluation Report, the implementation and effectiveness of LMETB’s QA Procedures will be examined via three core objectives: 

  1. Governance and Management of Quality 
  2. Teaching, Learning and Assessment 
  3. Self Evaluation, Monitoring and Review  

LMETB’s Self-Evaluation Report is available here.

Information on the consultation that took place as part of the Self- Evaluation process is found below:

A review team was appointed by QQI to conduct the external review of Quality Assurance in LMETB. The review team was composed of both national and international peer reviewers, current and former staff/ learners from the education and training system and relevant stakeholders.

 

The role of the review team was to:

  1. Carry out an external assessment of the self-evaluation report submitted by LMETB
  2. Engage with key staff, learners and external stakeholders to explore and gather evidence about Quality Assurance in LMETB. This engagement was done via focused meetings and interviews with staff, learners and external stakeholders across all of FET in LMETB from 21st- 25th March 2022.

The review team produced and published a report of its review, outlining findings and recommendations. The report is available here.

In November 2022, LMETB submitted an Action Plan to QQI, outlining how it planned to address the recommendations of the Review Report; and identified any specific actions to be undertaken. Since 2022, LMETB has engaged in ongoing dialogue with QQI and has submitted follow-up reports outlining progress in these specific actions.

View LMETB Follow up Report 2023 HERE 

View LMETB Interim Report 2025 HERE

There will also be a follow-up procedure by QQI to review subsequent actions taken by LMETB.

 

For more information

FET Quality Assurance Office

FET Centre, Chapel St, Dundalk,
Co. Louth, A91 C7D8

Email: qualityassurance@lmetb.ie