The Further Education Support Service has put together a calendar of events for Autumn/Winter 2024 to support those working in the FET environment for SOLAS and DES funded providers. We have focused on offering on-line webinars and workshops across a range of topics. Those who register for a place on one of the on-line events will receive a link, via e-mail, that will allow them access the event on the given date and time. We will be adding more events as we finalise the details of the events, but as a start we have the following events available.
The following is a list of the current series and themes on the PD calendar for September 2026, the events for October, November and December will be added as they are finalised - please click on the highlighted headings below for further information:
September 2026
Assessment - A series for those interested in locally devised assessment
This is a series of five online sessions that will deal with the following:
- An Introduction to Locally Devised Assessment
- Devising Assessment Briefs and Examination Questions (Locally Devised Assessment)
- Devising Marking Schemes (Locally Devised Assessment)
- Marking Learner Assessment Evidence
- Feedback to Learners on Summative Assessment Tasks
Gen AI - Challenges and Opportunities in Education
Built to Last: Energy Foundations for a Sustainable FET Year
Assessment - A self-directed online course on Locally Devising Assessment plus follow-up assessment clinics:
- Assessment Clinic 29 September 2026
- Assessment Clinic 22 October 2026
- Assessment Clinic 25 November 2026
- Assessment Clinic 8 December 2026
October 2026
Assessment - A series for those interested in locally devised assessment
This is a series of five online sessions started in September with the remaining three sessions offered in October as follows:
3. Devising Marking Schemes (Locally Devised Assessment)
4. Marking Learner Assessment Evidence
5. Feedback to Learners on Summative Assessment Tasks
RPL in FET - Focus on Practical Skills
AI for Teaching, Learning and Assessment in FET
Assessment - A self-directed online course on Locally Devising Assessment continues to be available with follow-up assessment clinics:
- Assessment Clinic 22 October 2026
- Assessment Clinic 25 November 2026
- Assessment Clinic 8 December 2026
Locally Devised Assessment |
|
|
This is a series of five weekly online sessions that will deal with the following:
Participants are welcome to attend any or all of the sessions in this series. However, ideally participants would attend all five sessions to maximise their learning about local assessment. The target audience for this series is: Assessors new to the area of FET and engaged in a locally devised assessment process. However, the sessions may also appeal to those who wish to refresh their understanding of assessment and/or those tasked with supporting/informing the assessment process locally. Please see further information on the target audience for each of the five sessions below. Facilitation: This series will be facilitated by Dr. Mary Sheehy, FESS.
Please note: Pre-booking is essential. Please do not book onto an event unless you are sure that you will attend / have approval to attend (if required). If an emergency arises, please inform us ASAP (cpdcancellations@fess.ie) as we operate a waiting list system and if time allows we can offer your booked place to another person. |
|
| To register please click on the link below |
Further Information, Dates and Time |
 |
An Introduction to Locally Devised Assessment The focus of this online session is on supporting the assessor working in a further education and training environment, where the assessor is required to develop local
The target audience for this session is: those assessing learners for the first time, using locally devised assessment instruments. A link to this online session will be emailed in advance. |
|
Devising Assessment Briefs and Examination Questions (Locally Devised Assessment) The focus of this online session is on supporting the assessor working in a further education and training environment, where the assessor is required to devise local assessment briefs (NFQ levels 1 to 6) and examination papers (NFQ levels 4 to 6). A link to this online session will be emailed in advance. |
|
Devising Marking Schemes (Locally Devised Assessment) The focus of this online session is on devising marking schemes and outline solutions, as part of local assessment, at NFQ levels 4 – 6, for both assessment briefs and examination papers. The target audience for this event is: those assessing learners for the first time, using local assessment. A link to this online session will be emailed in advance. |
|
Marking Learner Assessment Evidence This online session will focus on:
The target audience for this session is: those marking learners’ summative assessment evidence. In addition, this event is targeted at those who have a role in supporting the assessment process, within the provider. A link to this online session will be emailed in advance. |
| |
Feedback to Learners on Summative Assessment Tasks and other assessment related issues The focus of this online session is to support assessors in giving meaningful learner feedback on summative assessment tasks. This live online session will tease out the purpose, A link to this online session will be emailed in advance. |
Gen AI - Challenges and Opportunities in Education |
|
|
This event Target audience is: Those in teaching roles in FET, those in management and senior management, staff with responsibility for QA.
Facilitation: Professor Jim O Mahony Professor Jim O'Mahony is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Biological Sciences at Munster Technological University (MTU) since 2005. |
|
| Further Information, Dates and Time | |
|
Thursday 24 September 2026 - 14.00 - 16.00 A link to this online session will be emailed in advance. |
will cover recent developments in generative AI, associated technology and its impact specifically on education. It will also examine and summarise best practice as determined by many recently published national and international policy documents.
Built to Last: Energy Foundations for a Sustainable FET Year |
|
|
The session will cover: Although this will build on previous work with Calodagh it is not necessary to have attended a previous session in order to participate fully and benefit from this session. The target audience for this session is: FET staff including management, teachers, tutors, trainers, programme coordinators, guidance counsellors, learning support staff and wellbeing officers. Facilitation: Calodagh McCumiskey is an accredited master practitioner in Wellbeing and Coaching with over 12 years’ experience working with leadership teams and staff on a wide range of wellbeing and culture-related themes. She is a speaker and trainer specialising in bespoke programs that enhance individual and team wellbeing, fostering sustainable performance, resilience, and a thriving workplace culture. Over the last 2 years, she has worked with 27 companies on their wellbeing strategies and annual plans and over 60 organisations on their wellbeing programmes. Calodagh has significant experience working with schools, including school leaders, teachers, SNAs, Adult Educators and Education Centres, delivering wellbeing sessions and training that help educators thrive in challenging and dynamic environments. With a background in Aid Work, Calodagh spent 14 years leading teams and managing projects in high-stress environments following man-made and natural disasters. This experience shapes her practical, results-driven approach to workplace wellbeing and leadership training. She speaks and trains on topics such as Emotional & Mental Fitness for Leaders, Soft Skills & EQ Development, and Imposter Syndrome. Her programmes integrate 12 key pillars of wellbeing—Physical, Mental, Emotional, Spiritual, Creative, Financial, Community, Relationships, Work, Digital, Purpose, and Environment—ensuring a holistic and impactful experience tailored to each organization’s needs. Calodagh was Runner-Up in the National Solo Business Woman of the Year at the Network Ireland Awards (2023) and received Special Recognition in the National Network Ireland Awards (2024). She holds a Master of Business in Executive Leadership (2024). Please note: Pre-booking is essential. Please do not book onto this session unless you are sure that you will attend/have approval to attend (if required). If an emergency arises, please inform us ASAP (cpdcancellations@fess.ie) as we operate a waiting list system and if time allows, we can offer your booked place to another person. |
|
Further Information, Dates and Time |
|
|
Wednesday 30 September 2026 - 14.00 to 16.00 A link to this online event will be emailed in advance. |
This session goes a layer deeper than the habits work we did previously with Calodagh. Where intentions and habits set direction, this session looks at the lifestyle underneath - the four pillars of sustainable energy (physical, mental, emotional, relational (key relationships)) and the choices in the first six weeks of term that determine whether someone is still steady in May or running on empty by October.
Assessment - A self-directed online course on Locally Devising Assessment |
|
|
NEW!
FESS has developed this new resource to support new assessors to navigate their way through assessment for the first time. The resource focuses on the assessment of learners who are following further education and training programmes or FET programmes that lead to QQI certification at NFQ levels 1 to 6. The specific focus of the resource is on summative assessment in a locally devised assessment process which means that the detail in the resource is targeted towards assessors who are tasked with devising their own assessment briefs, examination papers and related documentation so that they can assess learners for certification purposes. The resource is divided into five modules. Each module is divided into a number of units, and each unit is divided into sections. The five modules are:
To access the course, click here A tutorial document to help you create your account, enrol on the course, complete the course and download your digital certificate can be downloaded here A short video tutorial to guide you through the process of creating an account and enrolling yourself in the course can be accessed here, it is slightly over 5 minutes long Please Note: The content of this course is similar to the content delivered previously online on the Assessment Suite that was offered as 5 x 2 hour online sessions. The target audience for this series is: Assessors new to the area of FET and engaged in a locally devised assessment process. However, the sessions may also appeal to those who wish to refresh their understanding of assessment and/or those tasked with supporting/informing the assessment process locally. Facilitation: This course has been developed by FESS to provide participants with the opportunity to engage in a self-directed online course that can be undertaken at the participant's own pace and at a time that is convenient to them. Assessment clinics to support those participating on the online course will be facilitated by Mary Sheehy, FESS. Please note: To access the course, you will have to follow the steps in the tutorial:
|
|
| Further Information, Dates and Time | |
| |
This one hour online clinic is designed as a follow-up support to allow participants who are completing or have completed the online Locally Devised Assessment course to pose any questions and queries that they may have as a result of engaging with the online course. An informal approach will be adopted for this session where the clinic will be participant-led, which will allow for the sharing and discussion of ideas. These clinics will be hosted on Zoom and the link will be emailed to participants in advance of the event. Tuesday 29 September - 16.00 to 17.00 |
|
This one hour online clinic is designed as a follow-up support to allow participants who are completing or have completed the online Locally Devised Assessment course to pose any questions and queries that they may have as a result of engaging with the online course. An informal approach will be adopted for this session where the clinic will be participant-led, which will allow for the sharing and discussion of ideas. These clinics will be hosted on Zoom and the link will be emailed to participants in advance of the event. Thursday 22 October - 16.00 to 17.00 |
|
This one hour online clinic is designed as a follow-up support to allow participants who are completing or have completed the online Locally Devised Assessment course to pose any questions and queries that they may have as a result of engaging with the online course. An informal approach will be adopted for this session where the clinic will be participant-led, which will allow for the sharing and discussion of ideas. These clinics will be hosted on Zoom and the link will be emailed to participants in advance of the event. Wednesday 25 November - 16.00 to 17.00 |
|
This one hour online clinic is designed as a follow-up support to allow participants who are completing or have completed the online Locally Devised Assessment course to pose any questions and queries that they may have as a result of engaging with the online course. An informal approach will be adopted for this session where the clinic will be participant-led, which will allow for the sharing and discussion of ideas. These clinics will be hosted on Zoom and the link will be emailed to participants in advance of the event. Tuesday 8 December - 16.00 to 17.00 |
RPL in FET - Focus on Practical Skills |
|
This practical session is for practitioners who already have a fundamental knowledge of the principles of RPL. The session will include the following:
The focus of the session is on the practical skills required to be an RPL Mentor and/or Assessor. The target audience for this event is: All FET staff members, including teachers, tutors, trainers, instructors and those in a co-ordination and/or quality assurance role. Facilitation: This event will be facilitated by: Patsy Hogan, Quality Assurance Officer, Policies, Procedures, Supports and Stakeholder Engagement, Limerick and Clare ETB. Patsy has been actively involved in the RPL space for a number of years and has responsibility for RPL in LCETB where she has been instrumental in placing Limerick and Clare ETB at the forefront of RPL practice in Ireland. She is currently Co Convenor of the RPL Practitioner Network (Ireland), and also represents LCETB on the ETBI RPL in FET Network.
Siobhan Magee, FESS
Please note: Pre-booking is essential. Please do not book onto this session unless you are sure that you will attend / have approval to attend (if required). If an emergency arises, please inform us ASAP (cpdcancellations@fess.ie) as we operate a waiting list system and if time allows, we can offer your booked place to another person. |
|
| Further Information, Dates and Times | |
| |
Wednesday 7 October 2026 - 14.00 to 16.00 A link to this online event will be emailed in advance. |
Amanda Butler, Quality Assurance Co-ordinator, Kilkenny and Carlow ETB. Her work activities include policy development and review, programme development and implementation and managing the quality assurance activities in KCETB FET. Overseeing the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) activities is another key focus area. Prior to working with KCETB, she delivered Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) programmes in both community and contracted training (FET) and taught at second level.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Teaching, Learning and Assessment |
|
|
Session Overview The facilitators will then guide participants through a structured exploration of key questions based on the experiences in LCETB College of FET including:
Target audience: All FET educators and particularly those involved in assessment of learners includinf QA staff. Facilitation: Máire Lynch and Dr Brendan Ryan
Dr Brendan Ryan has worked in Adult and Further Education for over thirty years and as a Learning Technologist for over twenty of those years. In his role with Limerick and Clare ETB Further Education and Training (FET) Division he leads up the Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) Support Service. Brendan has extensive teaching and research experience and recently completed a PhD study focused on embedding criticality in Learning Technology Professional Development.
Please note: Pre-booking is essential. Please do not book onto this session unless you are sure that you will attend / have approval to attend (if required). If an emergency arises, please inform us ASAP (cpdcancellations@fess.ie) as we operate a waiting list system and if time allows, we can offer your booked place to another person.
|
|
| Further Information, Date and Time | |
|
Thursday 8 October 2026 - 14.00 to 16.00 A link to this online event will be emailed in advance. |
Máire Lynch is a QA Officer with Limerick and Clare ETB with responsibility for curriculum development and review, new programme development and quality assuring teaching, learning and assessment across the organisation. Máire previously worked in industry before taking up a teaching position with the former VECs and worked extensively in classroom and co-ordination roles before moving into the area of quality assurance. She was part of the national working group responsible for the development of the FET Referencing Handbook and Academic Writing Handbook for Learners. Areas of particular interest include incorporating UDL Principles into teaching, learning and assessment at all NFQ levels, use of Plain English tools and facilitating AI practices to enhance teaching, learning and assessment.
Unlocking the Potential of Rubrics in Teaching, Learning and Assessment |
|
|
This online event aims to assist FET staff in the development and use of rubrics to support teaching, learning and assessment activities. This is an interactive event where participants will be provided with information, have the opportunity to engage in discussion and participate in a rubric development workshop. This event will: The target audience for this event is: FET staff including teachers, tutors, trainers, programme co-ordinators and QA staff. Facilitation: This event will be facilitated by Mary Sheehy, FESS. Please note: Pre-booking is essential. Please do not book onto this session unless you are sure that you will attend / have approval to attend (if required). If an emergency arises, please inform us ASAP (cpdcancellations@fess.ie) as we operate a waiting list system and if time allows, we can offer your booked place to another person. |
|
| Further Information, Date and Time | |
|
Tuesday 17 November 2026 - 14.00 to 16.00 A link to this online event will be emailed in advance. |
Please note: This event is a repeat of a previous FESS PD events delivered online in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025.
