Make Learning Your New Years’ Resolution!
19 Dec 2008 03:37 PM
The AONTAS Adult Learners' Festival will run for the third time next year from February 2nd to February 6th, so why not make it your new year's resolution to get involved?
The Festival allows groups and organisations involved in adult learning to celebrate the achievements of adult learners and the organisations that support them, and to raise the profile of the adult and community education sector. If you're thinking about going back to learn, the week will offer plenty of opportunities for you to explore your local education options, meet providers and find out what financial support is available.
'Over one hundred events took place over the week of last year's Festival', said Berni Brady, Director of AONTAS. 'Many more events are already planned for next year's event. During the week we will be celebrating twenty years of the VTOS (Vocational Training and Opportunities Scheme) programme, and AONTAS will launch a major piece of research about the lifelong learning needs of older people. For the first time, next years' Festival will include a 'Learn at Work' Day, which takes place on Thursday February 5th, and we are delighted to be working with ICTU, IBEC and other organisations to use that opportunity to focus on the issue of training, upskilling and education in the workplace. It is more crucial than ever despite the economic downturn, that government invest in adult learning in order to build our future economy and society.'
AONTAS will support any organisation to organise an event or activity to mark the Festival. Whether you are a small voluntary organisation, or a large business, you can celebrate or showcase adult learning in some way. There are tons of ideas about simple or more ambitious things that you can do on the special festival website www.adultlearnersfestival.com.
The Festival opens with the STAR Awards Ceremony for Adult Learning Projects - this year AONTAS received 152 nominations for the awards and on February 2nd Mary Kennedy, well known RTE presenter and personality, will present the awards to fourteen outstanding projects. Tuesday will showcase community education, Wednesday will highlight the learning needs of older learners and Thursday is 'Learn @ Work' Day. The Festival closes with a 'Lobby for Learning' Day, where you'll be invited to make a case for investment. Full details of what is planned for the week, locally and nationally, will be posted online at www.adultlearnersfestival.com.
From January 5th until February 28th next year AONTAS will be running a text line service - just text the word INFO, plus your name and address to the number 53377and you will receive a copy of our Information Booklet free of charge. The booklet will answer all your questions about adult learning, and texts cost the standard rate of 15 cents. If you can't wait til then, you can download a copy of the booklet from www.aontas.com.
For more information, contact Niamh Farren, Communications Officer, 01 406 8220/ 087 911 0569
ENDS
