Discussions focused on the return of FET services and planning for significant on-site activity for September. The planned return of FET provision will continue in accordance with current Governmental COVID-19 Resilience & Recovery 2021 – The Path Ahead framework and based on full adherence to the current national guidelines and health and safety regulations.
The following documents support the return of FET services:
Implementing a Safe Return to Further Education and Training Centres
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Framework to maintain Physical Distancing in FET Institutions with a Full Return of all Learners for the 2020/21 Year Roadmap for the Full Return to Further Education and Training
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The re-opening of further education and training centres in September 2021 is underpinned by three primary pillars:
- Further education and training has been nominated as an ‘essential service’ by government.
- There is an overwhelming desire from learners for a return to on-site activity, with practical learning to be delivered on-site and a need for all learners to have an onsite FET experience in order to maintain participation levels, particularly among those target groups most at risk of exclusion.
- The vast majority, if not all, adults including further education and training learners will have been offered the opportunity to be vaccinated by September 2021.
There will be circumstances under which teaching cannot be delivered while maintaining 2m distance between learners, i.e. practical elements of certain courses, skills demonstrations etc (see further advice below), and under such circumstances the distance between learners' seats or workstations may be reduced to (but not less than) 1m, with appropriate precautions to minimise the risk of viral transmission, and specific provision made for vulnerable learners.
A two-phased return of learners is recommended:
Stage 1: August 2021 - Vulnerable learners including Youthreach, CTCs, Apprenticeship, and practical training programmes (Excluding self-financing programmes and night training ).
Stage 2: Post September 20th 2021 (date subject to change depending on public health advice) – All other full-time and part-time FET Learners.