The Irish Education Agent Course (IEAC) Official Launch Berlin, 29 October 2017 1
The Irish Education Agent Course (IEAC) ICEF Agent Training Courses Why an Irish Agent Training Course? Benefits of the Irish Agent Training Course IEAC Advisory Board members Course contents Practical information Recognition of Irish Course Graduates (ICGs) 2
ICEF Agent Training 2 types of agent training courses: PROFESSIONAL COURSES - practical training for student recruitment counsellors ICEF Agent Training Course (IATC): 1130 graduates in 108 countries China Education Agent Course (CEAC): 386 in 6 countries DESTINATION COURSES focusing on a particular study destination Canada Course for Education Agents (CCEA): 501 graduates in 62 countries US Agent Training Course (USATC): 126 graduates in 28 countries 3
ICEF Agent Training PROFESSIONAL COURSES practical training for student recruitment counsellors DESTINATION COURSES focusing on a particular study destination ITAC 1130 graduates in 108 countries CCEA 501 graduates in 62 countries CEAC 386 graduates in 6 countries USATC 126 graduates in 28 countries 4
Icef.com 5
Impact of Significant International Events in 2017 on Recruitment Re-direction Thinking about leading international events in 2016/2017, have you experienced any market and student recruitment re-direction in the below countries? 6
Why the increased student interest in Ireland 7
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Why the Irish Agent Training Course? Provide agents with the most current, accurate information about education in Ireland Respond to increased interest in Ireland as a study destination amongst agents worldwide Enable Irish educators to work with agents committed to Ireland as a study destination Assure students and their families that they are talking to an Eire specialist Lower Irish educators agent training burden, allowing them to focus on their USP & courses Assist Irish education providers internal staff training Last but not least, create a comprehensive reference tool on Ireland for the international education community 9
Benefits of the Irish Education Agent Course Understand why Ireland is an increasingly popular study destination Become an expert on Irish study options and available credentials Help students to prepare for living and studying in Ireland Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the Irish education system and high standards of professionalism to students, parents, and Irish education institutions 10
IEAC Advisory Board Members In Ireland Outside Ireland Lucia Reynolds, Brand Manager Education in Ireland Enterprise Ireland Victor Hugo Baseggio, Director CI, Brazil Celestine Rowland, Director Galway Business School Fernando Lanzagorta Diaz, Marketing and Sales Director Estudia en Irlanda, Mexico Declan Millar, Managing Director High Schools International Debbie Flynn, Founder Irish Education Partners Sinead Lucey, International Education Manager Irish Universities Association David O'Grady, CEO Marketing English Ireland (MEI) Miriam Ryan, Head of International Education Technological Higher Education Association Onur Yaldizkaya, Founder Idealist, Turkey Noriko Okada, Marketing Director Ireland Celtic Travel, Japan Oscar Porras, Director Midleton School, Spain Dr. Osamah Majeed Qureshi, Director Student Counseling Services, Pakistan 11
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IEAC Course Contents (12 Sections) Section A: About Ireland Section B: The Irish Education System Section C: Secondary Schooling in Ireland Section D: English Language Learning Section E: Institutes of Technology Section F: Universities Section G: Internships Section H: The Higher Education Environment Section I: Living In Ireland Section J: Student Visas Section K: Working in Ireland Section L: Promoting Ireland 13
Who can take the IEAC? New agency staff members; the IEAC is an excellent training tool for new student counsellors at agencies interested in a regional destination focus Practising student counsellors; the IEAC provides the information that students are looking for regarding a destination that is rapidly rising in popularity Agency managers/owners are also welcome to take the course as are education provider staff throughout Ireland Please note: An English proficiency equivalent to an IELTS score of 5.0 (or TOEFL PBT 500 / TOEFL ibt 61) is advisable Note: completion of the exam does not provide authorisation, endorsement or accreditation by Education Ireland 14
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IEAC Practical Information The IEAC is delivered online in a self-paced, modular format (50 hrs of study recommended) To study the course is free of charge and the (non-obligatory) formal exam costs 250 (this includes 3 examination attempts) Worldwide (optional) testing is available at all ICEF Workshops, plus online at any time Exam format: 50 multiple choice questions in 80 minutes, and open book (online/offline resources may be consulted) Candidates who achieve a minimum of 80% correct answers pass the exam We highly recommend that agents do (and pass!) the Self-Assessment before requesting a testing opportunity Candidates successfully passing the exam will obtain the status of Irish Course Graduate (ICG) Note: completion of the exam does not provide authorisation, endorsement or accreditation by Education Ireland 16
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Recognition of Irish Course Graduates (ICGs) (Example of Canada Course Graduates listing) Irish Course Graduates (ICGs) receive a certificate from ICEF Their name, ICG #, agency profile & contact information are featured in an online listing on www. Graduates are featured on the ICG Finder (Google map, find an agency by location) ICG agents are also profiled in the QEA (Quality Education Agent) Application for smartphones 18
ICG Agency Profiles (ITAC Example) ICG Name Agency Name Website ICG Number Country Agency Profile 19
ICG Finder Map View 20
ICGs also featured on the Qualified Education Agents (QEA) App Free tool for educator marketing professionals to help them find qualified agencies by name or location (near me now) Now listing around 6 000 qualified agent counsellors worldwide (ICEF, PIER, British Council) Over 3 000 downloads to date Search for Qualified Education Agents in Google Play or the App Store Download your free copy now! 21
Start now - be among the first to qualify! Register at or contact training@ 22
Any questions? THANK YOU! 23