VEC's and SOLAS

The Government has approved the establishment of a new education and training authority, which will be called SOLAS.

SOLAS (Seirbhísí Oideachais Leanunaigh Agus Scileanna which tanslates to read Continuing Education Services and Skills) will replace FÁS, which is to be disbanded.

The further education and training section of FÁS is to be integrated into VEC sector (to be referred in the future as Education & Training Boards).

It is envisaged that the legislation to govern SOLAS will be passed by mid 2012 and the legislations for the new Education and Training Boards by the end of 2012.

The Department of Social Protection will take responsibility for other programmes such as the community employment (CE) schemes.

Speaking at the launch of the agency, Minister Ruairí stated "The new SOLAS mandate will be to ensure the provision of 21^st century high quality further education and training programmes to jobseekers and other learners.  These programmes will be integrated, flexible, value-for-money and responsive to the needs of learners and the requirements of a changed and changing economy.  SOLAS will implement the significant transformation programme needed to deliver this.  The Government is giving the further education and training sector a clear direction for the future.

SOLAS welcomed

The board of FÁS has welcomed the announcement.  The Irish Vocational Education Authority, which represents the country's VECs, welcomed the new body and the strengthened role of the VECs.  Michael Moriarty the general secretary said "this will enable VECs to use their local knowledge and experience to the maximum to deliver what amounts to a one-stop-shop Further Education Training service in literally every community in Ireland.

The Teachers' Union of Ireland, which represents VEC teachers and lecturers in the Institutes of Technology, also welcomed the development.

Extracts for this article were taken from the IVEA brief 13/11 and from TUI News

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