Make Lifelong Learning an Election Issue
29 May 2009 12:10 PM
As election day approaches, AONTAS, the National Adult Learning Organisation is urging education providers and adult learners around the country to vote for parties and candidates with a strong commitment to lifelong learning, education and training.
'The current situation calls for imaginative, aggressive and proactive responses to tackling increasing unemployment', said Berni Brady, Director of AONTAS. Ms Brady was speaking following the launch of the 'Welfare to Work' initiative on Wednesday which targets people who are unemployed. This initiative includes The Work Placement Programme and the Pilot Short Time Working Training Programme.
Over the past number of weeks, AONTAS has been running a campaign called 'Many Happy Returns', which highlights the role that lifelong learning can play in bringing Ireland through a recession. 'Social welfare is not enough for people who are currently unemployed', continued Ms Brady. 'Targeted training and education measures which enable people to move into alternative employment when the economy begins to pick up are one part of the solution. But there are also social repercussions to unemployment - lack of confidence, self esteem and isolation are some examples. A real commitment to lifelong learning instead of a piecemeal approach is a huge part of the solution to both of these problems.'
The Supplementary Budget contained mixed messages for the adult learning sector. The government promised 6910 places in further education under a joint 'activation' measure. Meanwhile, a recruitment embargo within the VECs (Vocational Education Committees), and cutbacks to the Community and Voluntary Sector are preventing education providers from meeting the demand that is out there for education and training. The 'Welfare to Work' initiative will provide work placements for 2,000 unemployed people. 'Given that unemployment currently stands at 380,000 and rising every day, these initiatives fall drastically short of what is needed. Cutbacks will only lead to longer dole queues and no options for people losing their jobs. We cannot afford the social and economic consequences of long term unemployment,' Ms Brady concluded.
AONTAS 'Many Happy Returns' campaign highlights a number of key issues that election candidates should be aware of. These include:
- Education providers must be resourced to meet the growing demand for further learning.
Commitments made in the Supplementary Budget do not go far enough. Adult learning organisations in both the formal and non formal sector are struggling to meet the demand for education and training as unemployment grows.
- The recruitment embargo in VECs should not apply to ringfenced initiatives, such as the AEGI. (Adult Guidance Initiative).
- Systems for the delivery of information about adult learning require better co-ordination. Stronger links must be formed between key agencies such as FÁS, the Department of Social Community and Family Affairs and the Adult Education Guidance Initiative. The local authority also has a role to play in promoting information about local learning options for adults.
- Community education plays a strong role in supporting people to actively participate in their communities. Community education and community development initiatives must continue to be resourced to enable them to provide this support.
- Cutbacks to the National Women's Strategy and the Equality for Women Measure will prevent women from accessing further training and education.
- Adult learning initiatives which target educational disadvantage, such as VTOS, BTEI, and adult guidance, must continue to be funded and strengthened.
For more information/ media queries, contact
Niamh Farren, Communications Officer 01 406 8220/087 911 0569
ENDS
Note to Editor
1. AONTAS is the National Adult Learning Organisation. AONTAS is a non-governmental membership organisation, established in 1969. 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. 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.
2. 'Many Happy Returns' is the theme for AONTAS Local and European Election Campaign. The Campaign was launched at AONTAS 40th birthday on May 6th 2009. The campaign toolkit includes a specially designed birthday card, and a new briefing paper .
