8. Protection of Enrolled Learners

The Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012 contains provisions for the protection of learners enrolled in programmes of education and training (Part 6, S. 64‐67).

The legislation applies to all education providers (other than those specifically exempt under legislation) and to any course of 3-month duration or longer where fees have been charged.

QQI has developed protocols to facilitate providers in the fulfilment of their legal obligations with

regard to PEL. As summarised by QQI, the 2012 Acts seeks to ensure that:

1. Learners have an opportunity to complete a programme leading to an award, or
2. Learners are refunded the moneys most recently paid if a programme ends before they complete it, and
3. Learners are provided with adequate and accurate information about the programme that they wish to pursue and about the protection in place for them in the event that the programme ceases prior to 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 categories of provider, depending on their relationship with QQI and their exemption status as outlined in the relevant PEL sections of the Act.

These protocols apply in various ways to different categories of provider, depending on their relationship with QQI and their exemption status as outlined in the relevant PEL sections of the Act.

NCU Training is legally obliged to fulfil the provisions relating to all providers. All providers regardless of their relationship with QQI must make certain categories of information available to learners (QQI Protocols 3.2 apply).

Certain programme and award‐related information must be available to learners prior to enrolling them or accepting payment for an education and training programme. All relevant providers(including public providers)shall, if requested, assist QQI in the accommodation of learners affected by the cessation of a programme (Protocols 3.6 apply).

NCU Training 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:

a)The name of the awarding body (or bodies) making the award

b)The title of the programme and the award to which it leads

c)Whether the award is recognised within the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), and if so:

i.The level of that recognition within the NFQ

ii.Whether the award is a Major, Minor, Special Purpose or Supplemental award as identified within the NFQ

d)Where the programme does not lead to an award, a certificate of completion or other similar certificate

e)Any relevant procedures for access, transfer and progression

NCU Training 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.

Protection for Learners Policy

As a part of best practice to safeguard the interests of learners enrolled for programmes exceeding 3 months and in line with the regulatory/statutory requirements of QQI and the ‘Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012’.

NCU Training has arranged comprehensive cover by a Learner Protection Policy, Number LPI-00098-PHIS with O’Driscoll O'Neil underwritten by Hiscox Insurance Company Limited, June 2018.

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that learners are protected in the event of the unexpected cessation of any training programme in NCU Training provided, and/or organised and/or sub-contracted training

Evidence to confirm implementation of the NCU Training Protection for Learners Policy includes:

• A statement of arrangements for Protection for Learners in programme information for relevant programmes of over 3 months’ duration
• Fee refund documentation, where it applies
• Learner transfer documentation, in the event of the unexpected cessation of programmes