Protection of Enrolled Learners
The Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012 contains provisions for the protection of learners enrolled in education and training programmes (Part 6, S. 64-67).
The 2012 Act sets out (in Part 6) legal requirements for QQI and education and training providers regarding the Protection of Enrolled Learners (PEL). QQI has published the "Protection of Enrolled Learners: Protocols for the Implementation of Part 6 of the 2012 Act".
The legislation applies to education providers (other than those specifically exempt under legislation) and courses of 3-month duration or longer.
QQI has developed protocols to facilitate providers in fulfilling their legal obligations concerning PEL. As summarized by QQI, the 2012 Acts seeks to ensure that:
Learners have an opportunity to complete a programme leading to an award or
Learners are refunded the money most recently paid if a programme ends before they complete it, and
Learners are provided with adequate and accurate information about the programme they wish to pursue and the protection in place for them if the programme ceases before their completion.
Protection of Enrolled Learners: Protocols for the Implementation of Part 6 of the 2012 Act
These protocols apply in various ways to different providers, depending on their relationship with QQI and their exemption status, as outlined in the relevant PEL sections of the Act.
Glin National College is legally obliged to fulfil the provisions relating to all providers. All providers, regardless of their relationship with QQI, must make specific categories of information available to learners (QQI Protocols 3.2 apply).
Specific programme and award-related information must be available to learners before enrolling them or accepting payment for an education and training programme. All relevant providers (including public providers) shall, if requested, assist QQI in accommodating learners affected by the cessation of a programme (Protocols 3.6 apply).
Glin National College undertakes to make the following information publicly available and accessible on its websites and in other published material before enrolling learners or accepting any payment from, or on behalf of, an enrolled learner for an education and training programme:
The name of the awarding body (or bodies) making the award
The title of the programme and the award to which it leads
Whether the award is recognised within the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), and if so:
The level of that recognition within the NFQ
Whether the award is a Major, Minor, Special Purpose or Supplemental award as identified within the NFQ
Where the programme does not lead to an award, a certificate of completion or other similar certificates
Any relevant procedures for access, transfer and progression
Glin National College will notify enrolled learners in writing of any change in the information notified to the learners within 14 days of becoming aware of that change.