1.  Purpose

To define NCI’s institutional quality assurance approach for statutory apprenticeship programmes, ensuring compliance with QQI and SOLAS regulatory frameworks, alignment with labour market needs, and a high-quality learner experience across both off-the-job and on-the-job components.

2.  Scope

This policy applies only to apprenticeship programmes governed by SOLAS and QQI as statutory apprenticeships. It includes:

• Governance of programme development and delivery
• Off-the-job and on-the-job learning integration
• Employer and mentor obligations
• Apprentice registration, progression, and completion
• Quality assurance procedures unique to apprenticeships

This policy does not apply to:

• Professional practice modules or work-based learning on non-apprenticeship programmes
• Micro-credentials or non-statutory training partnerships
• Programme validation, review, or monitoring

3.  Governance and Oversight

The governance of statutory apprenticeship programmes at National College of Ireland (NCI) is shared across multiple partners and oversight bodies. These include NCI in its role as Coordinating Provider, the relevant Consortium Steering Group, and statutory authorities such as SOLAS and QQI.

NCI ensures that all apprenticeship programmes are developed, delivered and quality assured in accordance with the Topic-Specific Quality Assurance Guidelines for Statutory Apprenticeship Programmes published by QQI, and the Apprenticeship Code of Practice issued by SOLAS.

3.1. Coordinating Provider

NCI is the Coordinating Provider for each apprenticeship programme it delivers. As Coordinating Provider, NCI is responsible for:

• The overall academic integrity, coherence, and quality assurance of the programme
• Maintenance of curriculum, assessment frameworks, and associated programme documentation
• Coordinating programme review, updates and stakeholder engagement in line with QQI expectations
• Ensuring compliance with the validated programme requirements and SOLAS regulations
• Chairing or supporting the Programme committee and relevant academic committees
• Liaising with the Consortium Steering Group, SOLAS, QQI and employers

The Coordinating Provider must hold a valid QQI programme validation for each statutory apprenticeship and ensure its ongoing alignment with sectoral needs. Apprenticeship programmes are delivered under NCI’s institutional QA system and subject to QQI and SOLAS oversight in accordance with national guidelines.

3.2. Consortium Steering Group (CSG)

Each apprenticeship programme is governed by a Consortium Steering Group comprising employer representatives, industry stakeholders, and academic partners. The CSG provides strategic and sectoral oversight of the programme and is responsible for:

• Ensuring the apprenticeship remains aligned with current occupational needs
• Advising on curriculum content, assessment methods, and delivery structures
• Overseeing employer engagement and supporting the onboarding of new employers
• Providing feedback on graduate outcomes, skills relevance, and industry demand
• Participating in annual programme monitoring and formal programme reviews

The CSG operates in line with approved Terms of Reference and is chaired by an industry representative unless otherwise agreed with SOLAS.

3.3. Programme Committee

Each apprenticeship programme has a dedicated Programme committee established under NCI’s academic governance. The Programme committee is responsible for:

• Monitoring academic delivery and learner progression
• Reviewing assessment outcomes, including on-the-job and off-the-job components
• Managing internal quality assurance processes
• Supporting the timely submission of results to SOLAS
• Recommending programme enhancements to the Coordinating Provider and CSG
• Confirming programme completion in accordance with SOLAS requirements

The Programme committee includes academic staff, employer representatives, programme administrators, and where appropriate, learners or mentors.

3.4. SOLAS

SOLAS is the statutory authority with responsibility for apprenticeship governance under the Industrial Training Act, 1967 (as amended). SOLAS is responsible for:

• Approving employers and registering apprentices
• Administering the Apprenticeship Management System (AMS)
• Monitoring workplace training and assessment through its authorised officers
• Disbursing apprenticeship funding and managing associated claims
• Approving short-time working, temporary layoff, and programme suspensions
• Imposing sanctions where Code of Practice obligations are not met
• Providing oversight of programme delivery in partnership with NCI and the CSG

SOLAS retains the right to suspend, terminate or amend apprenticeship programmes in line with national policy.

3.5. External Quality Assurance

QQI is the awarding body for apprenticeship programmes and retains oversight of the validation, revalidation and quality assurance of all statutory apprenticeships. As such:

• Apprenticeship validation is excluded from NCI’s devolved validation processes
• Programme revalidation must follow the QQI Topic-Specific QA Guidelines
• NCI must report quality assurance outcomes through required channels to QQI
• External review events must include representation from SOLAS, industry, and relevant stakeholders

4.  Programme Delivery and Responsibilities

4.1. Programme Structure

All statutory apprenticeship programmes delivered by NCI follow a dual-delivery model that combines structured academic learning (off-the-job) with supervised workplace training (on-the-job). This integrated structure is enterprise-led, aligned with the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), and validated by QQI under its statutory apprenticeship category.

Key structural elements:

• Off-the-job learning is delivered by NCI through block-release, day-release, or blended models.
• On-the-job training is delivered by the apprentice’s employer under the guidance of a qualified workplace mentor.
• Programme design is informed by occupational profiles and sectoral needs via the Consortium Steering Group.
• The programme alternates between the two learning environments in a way that reinforces both theoretical knowledge and applied skills.

Apprentices remain employees of their approved employer throughout the entire programme duration.

4.2. Curriculum, Assessment and Documentation

Each programme follows a validated curriculum and defined assessment strategy. This includes:

• Minimum Intended Programme Learning Outcomes (MIPLOs) aligned with occupational standards.
• Module-level outcomes and assessment mapping across both learning environments.
• Integrated assessment of off-the-job and on-the-job components, including workplace assessments verified by mentors/assessors.
• Alignment with QQI award standards and institutional grading conventions.

NCI, as Coordinating Provider, is responsible for ensuring that all assessment methods are fair, valid, and reliable.

Key programme documentation includes:

• QQI validation documents
• Occupational profile and programme learning outcomes
• Curriculum maps and module descriptors
• Assessment regulations and workplace assessment templates
• Mentor guidance and employer handbooks
• QA procedures for progression, appeals, and complaints

All documentation is maintained by NCI and reviewed with the Consortium Steering Group.

4.3. Apprentice Journey

Apprentices are supported throughout the full lifecycle of their programme.

Registration

• Apprentices are registered with SOLAS via their employer and local ETB.
• The registration process includes ID assignment in the Apprenticeship Management System (AMS), and confirmation of the official start date.
• Both the apprentice and employer must accept the SOLAS Code of Practice.

Induction and Enrolment

• Apprentices complete both NCI’s academic induction and a programme-specific apprenticeship orientation.
• They are enrolled onto institutional systems and granted access to learning platforms.

Attendance and Engagement

• Apprentices must fully attend and engage in all scheduled activities.
• Attendance and conduct are monitored across both learning environments, and breaches may lead to disciplinary actions.

Progression

• Progression requires successful completion of all academic and workplace assessments.
• Results are reviewed by the Programme committee and reported to SOLAS via the ETB panel as required.

Completion

• An apprenticeship is deemed complete when:
  • All programme requirements are met
  • The minimum duration is served
  • Completion is confirmed by the Programme committee and SOLAS is notified

4.4. Employer and Mentor Responsibilities

Approved employers are essential partners in programme delivery and must meet standards set out by SOLAS.

Employer Responsibilities

• Apply for approval via the ETB and register apprentices within two weeks of start.
• Provide the full range of occupational tasks, tools, and safe working conditions.
• Release apprentices for off-the-job learning and maintain training records for seven years.
• Cooperate with NCI and SOLAS for QA monitoring, audits, and site visits.

Workplace Mentor/Assessor Requirements

• Must be qualified and approved by a SOLAS-authorised officer.
• Provide guidance, supervision, and assessment aligned with programme outcomes.
• May be required to complete assessor/verifier training.
• Maintain accurate assessment records accessible to NCI and SOLAS.

Ongoing Engagement

• Employers are expected to support apprentice development, provide feedback, and engage with Consortium Steering Group activity and programme reviews.

5.  Complaints, Appeals and Disciplinary Procedures

Statutory apprenticeship programmes involve dual governance between the Coordinating Provider and the apprentice’s employer. As such, mechanisms for managing complaints, appeals, and disciplinary matters must recognise the distinct responsibilities of each party while ensuring that all learners have access to a fair and transparent process.

5.1. General Principles

• Apprentices remain employees of their approved employer throughout the programme, including during off-the-job learning
• Disciplinary procedures, grievance mechanisms, and appeals processes may be managed by SOLAS, the employer, or NCI, depending on the context
• All stakeholders are expected to comply with the SOLAS Apprenticeship Code of Practice
• NCI will provide clear written guidance to apprentices at the outset of the programme regarding available support, procedures, and points of contact

5.2. Academic Complaints and Appeals (Off-the-Job Learning)

Apprentices may submit a complaint or appeal to NCI in relation to:

• Teaching and learning during off-the-job phases
• Assessment of off-the-job academic components
• Academic misconduct allegations
• Access to learner supports or academic services
• Breaches of NCI policies affecting the learning environment

These matters will be managed under NCI’s academic complaints and appeals procedures, as published in the Student Handbook and Quality Assurance Framework. NCI will liaise with the Programme committee and provide outcome decisions in a timely and transparent manner.

5.3. Workplace Complaints and Disciplinary Matters (On-the-Job Learning)

Where a complaint or issue arises during the on-the-job component, the apprentice should first raise the matter with their workplace mentor or supervisor. If not resolved, the apprentice may:

• Escalate the matter to the employer’s HR representative (if applicable)
• Contact the SOLAS authorised officer for external support
• Request assistance from the Coordinating Provider for guidance or mediation

On-the-job complaints may relate to supervision, working conditions, inappropriate behaviour, or employer non-compliance with programme requirements. Disciplinary action by the employer may follow employment law and internal company procedures but must also be reported to SOLAS if it affects apprenticeship continuation.

5.4. Disciplinary Procedures and Termination

Disciplinary actions may be taken by any of the following parties, depending on the nature of the issue:

Sanctions may include:

• Verbal or written warnings
• Suspension from the programme
• Termination of apprenticeship registration
• Exclusion from future apprenticeship programmes (for serious breaches)

Any decision to terminate an apprenticeship must be notified to and recorded by SOLAS.

5.5. Appeals

Appeals may be submitted in the following contexts:

• Academic appeals → via NCI’s published appeals procedures
• Workplace or registration-related appeals → via SOLAS’s Apprenticeship Appeals Committee, in accordance with the timelines and procedures outlined in the Code of Practice
• Apprentices who are terminated from the programme by SOLAS may appeal the decision and may, in limited cases, apply for a final re-assessment attempt if applicable

All appeals must be submitted within 3 months of the decision being contested unless otherwise specified.

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