AONTAS urges Government to honour commitment to lifelong learning
8 Sep 2008 09:56 AM
Berni Brady, Director of AONTAS, has today called on the government to keep its commitment to lifelong learning and the adult education sector.
'Over the past two days we have heard many comparisons with the situation in the 1980s' she said. 'During that time the adult and community education sector experienced huge cutbacks in funding. Economic prosperity led to a small increase in resources for the sector, but we are still picking up the pieces from that time. The cuts that were made in the 1980s set the sector back 10 years. We are now left with the impossible targets set out in the National Skills Strategy - 500,000 members of the workforce will need to be upskilled by at least one NFQ (National Framework Qualification) level by 2020 - it's practically Mission Impossible.'
Funding for the adult education sector currently stands at just under 2% of the overall annual education budget.
Ms Brady also supported calls from Labour Deputy Willie Penrose for new training and upskilling programmes for people who have lost their jobs. This followed the publication of figures from the CSO which indicate 6.1% are now signing on the live register.
Ms Brady continued 'the National Access Plan on Equity in Higher Education published by the HEA earlier this year emphasises that our economic sustainability is dependent on the learning achievements and skills of all citizens - but we especially need to focus on those members of the current workforce who are low paid and low skilled, as they are extremely vulnerable in the current economic climate.
I would urge the government not to react hastily to the current economic downturn by cutting funding to this sector which is still very young and vulnerable. Cutting resources which are already minimal will undo all of the progress that has been achieved, through the introduction of initiatives such as guidance and the Back to Education Initiative. Much time, energy and resources has been spent on the studies, publications, Expert groups and strategies. I would encourage the government to keep up the momentum and take action on these initiatives, which will pay off in the future. 60% of the workforce of 2020 is in employment now. It is by investing in them now that we will build our future economy,' she concluded.
ENDS
For more information/media queries contact
Niamh Farren Communications Officer 01 406 8220/087 911 0569
Notes to Editor
1. The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs was established in 1997. The group advises government on future skills requirements and associated labour market issues that impact on national potential for enterprise and employment growth. In March 2007 the group published a report entitled 'Tomorrow's Skills : Towards a National Skills Strategy' which included an outline of the skills required for Ireland to develop over the period to 2020 as a competitive, innovation-driven, knowledge-based, participative and inclusive economy.
2. AONTAS is the National Adult Learning Organisation. AONTAS is a non-government membership organisation, established in 1969. The organisation's mission is to ensure that every adult in Ireland has access to appropriate and affordable learning opportunities throughout their lives, thus enabling them to contribute to and participate in the economic, social, civic and cultural development of Irish society. AONTAS is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee. AONTAS represents over 600 members, ranging from statutory providers of adult education, such as VECs and third level institutions, to voluntary providers of community education, to individual adult learners and those with a general interest in adult education. The role of AONTAS is to work towards improving the adult education sector in Ireland through policy development, promoting the benefits of adult education and research.
