TrustEd Ireland is the new quality mark from Quality and Qualifications Ireland, and part of a suite of legislative measures designed to protect international learners. Stakeholders say the statutory accreditation scheme is well-needed but are calling for clarity before committing to the costly initiative.

TrustEd Ireland is a voluntary scheme, however, providers who wish to recruit non-EU/EEA learners on program that require immigration permissions and study visas will be required to apply for authorisation to use the mark. 

Stakeholders have expressed strong support for the introduction of a regulatory scheme, emphasising its necessity for the sector. However, they are urging the regulator to provide greater transparency and detailed information about specific aspects of its implementation and costs.

“The fact that the scheme regulates the sector is positive because we have been in limbo,” said Mauro Biondi, managing director, Emerald Cultural Institute, who believes there is huge value in the scheme in terms of enhancing the profile of providers and the sector.

“The sector has been looking for a new accreditation system for an awful long time,” Justin Quinn, CEO of Centre for English Studies told The PIE News.

“I was at the first meeting in 2009 when this was addressed, and it’s taken all this amount of time to get to this point. I think there is total support in the sector for a new quality branded international education mark in Ireland.

“The disharmony at the moment is that there are a lot of unanswered questions which are out there,” explained Quinn.

Concerns centre around the scheme’s costs, which are determined using a band-based system tied to the number of student weeks per year.

Earlier this month, English Education Ireland – formerly known as Marketing English in Ireland – announced that its members are withholding their applications for TrustEd Ireland, due to its “punitive and unsustainable” fee structure.

Critics have highlighted the significant financial burden, including an initial application fee that can reach up to €30,000 and an ongoing annual charge of up to €20,000.

Furthermore, language schools are being asked to allocate 4% of their tuition revenue the Protection of Enrolled Learners (PEL) sinking fund.

“That’s 4% of your margin just disappeared,” said Quinn, contrasting this with higher education institutions which contribute only 2% of their tuition fees for comparable purposes.

“We’re in a sector where, if your margin is 8%, suddenly 50% of your margin is taken away. Is there any point in recruiting long-term students if you’re only getting 4% of a margin?” questions Quinn.

CES is not participating in the boycott of the scheme but is instead awaiting critical information before making a final decision.

“How long will the sinking fund be in place? Who is going to administer it? What is being covered by that sinking fund?” are among questions being asked by stakeholders.

“Language schools are very, very supportive of a new international education mark. We want to make sure it happens. But like in any business sector, it has to be right for what we are doing. At the moment it’s a little bit off-centre,” said Quinn.

The initiative is being introduced at a challenging time for the sector, with Quinn pointing to significant declines in student numbers and decreases in demand from from important markets in mainland Europe and Latin America.

This influx of students returning to study abroad led to a boom in the sector after a difficult Covid-19 period. However, there has now been a levelling off in growth. Mini-stay business remains strong, but junior summer and adults markets have taken hits.

Meanwhile, Biondi believes “it makes sense to wait for clarification on certain points before participating in the scheme”.

It’s a positive moment, but also challenging moment. If we don’t get this right, a lot of companies will seriously be in danger.
_{^{Mauro Biondi, Emerald Cultural Institute}}

For him, an unintended benefit is that in efforts to lobby for such a system, the sector “has never been so united” and close collaboration with the government thus far is a significant step forward, marking a positive turning point for the industry.

“It’s a good moment if we manage to find the right way of doing things. It’s a positive moment, but also challenging moment. If we don’t get this right, a lot of companies will seriously be in danger,” said Biondi.