And the STAR Award goes to....
Orla Barry, Marian Duffy, Andrina Wafer, Minister Sean Haughey and Berni Brady
Congratulations to the following projects which were given AONTAS STAR Awards at a ceremony at No. 6 Kildare Street on February 22nd.
First Steps Women's Centre (co. Tyrone), Downtown Centre (Limerick City), Revamp Training Centre (Longford),RADE - Recovery through Art, Drama and Education (Dublin),Women's Health and Wellbeing Programme (Donegal), National Learning Network (Limerick), Co. Longford Adult Educational Guidance Service, Soilse Career Guidance Service (Dublin), The Luisne Art Project (Mayo), Open Training College (National focus), How to Learn English in Ireland (Laois - radio series broadcast on Dublin South Community Radio)A Song for All (Carlow),National Certificate in Butchering Skills (based in Dublin, national focus).
On Wednesday 24th we launched 'Beyond the Classroom' - a series of programmes funded by the Sound and Vision Broacasting Funding Scheme and produced together with Dublin Community Television (DCTV).
On Friday we held a constituency clinic with adult learners and providers of adult education, who met with Minister for Lifelong Learning Sean Haughey and Education Spokespeople from government and the Opposition. Read our new position paper which was presented at the event here.
Adult Learners' Festival 2010
From February 1st to March 31st, AONTAS is running a text line to coincide with the Adult Learners' Festival. Just text the word INFO with your name and address to 53377, and for the price of a text message (15c) you will receive a copy of our Information Booklet free of charge. The booklet is also available to download here.
Thanks to all who attended our very successful Information Session for Event Organisers at the Gresham hotel on Wednesday 20th January. As promised, you'll find lots of resources on www.adultlearnersfestival.com, electronic copies of posters and fliers as well as the Festival issue of Explore magazine. Don't forget that if you are on Facebook or Twitter you can stay in touch with Festival updates.
If you're stuck for an idea, why not visit the themes section of the website, which contains lots of suggestions for activities that you can organise each day. Let us know if your organisation wants to get involved and we will send you out our Event in a Bag, free of charge.
Reaction to Budget 2010
AONTAS broadly welcomes the government commitment to upskilling and training through the allocation of €136 million in funding to provide 26,000 individuals with training places and supports. Reacting to the announcement, Berni Brady said 'It is encouraging to see that the government investing in training and education to address unemployment. However, training initiatives must be relevant, must provide qualifications and most importantly, must lead to progression to employment or further education. Courses must cater to the needs of people and reflect the emerging needs of the economy. Short term courses which lead to dead ends will only prolong the frustration that accompanies unemployment.' For more information read our press release here.
