John Ellis
Question:195 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Education the action, if any, she proposes to take regarding national certificate courses and the upgrading of such courses to full degree status. [2259/97]
Written Answers. - National Certificates Courses.
I refer the Deputy to my answer of 10 December 1996 on this issue. As I indicated, each of the 11 regional technical colleges offers a range of courses leading to the awards of the National Council for Educational Awards. These are the national certificate, the national diploma, the bachelor degree, the master degree and the PhD degree. Together they comprise a ladder of progression enabling students to progress from one award level to the next.
National Certificates have been granted by the NCEA each year since 1972 and holders of this award have a very good record in terms of gaining relevant employment and progressing to higher level awards. It is also of value to students who receive awards from the National Council for Vocational Awards as these students may gain exemptions from parts of a National Certificate and so progress on the ladder of higher education in accordance with their abilities. The present arrangements allow students who reach the required standard to progress from National Certificate to degree level.