Retraining measures must lead to progression, says Adult Learning Organisation
10 Dec 2009 03:12 PM
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.'
Callers to AONTAS Information Service this year indicate that there is a mismatch between courses and the current jobs market. 25% of all individuals contacting AONTAS in 2009 stated that there are no progression routes available for them from short courses being delivered locally. 'We need to see a closer relationship between the Department of Education and Science and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, so that courses recognise the needs of people and are realistic and appropriate for the economy,' continued Ms Brady.
A national agreement is now in place between FÁS and the VEC aimed at eliminating duplication and delivering a more efficient service to people who want to avail of training and education. 'This allocation of funding needs to strengthen the connections between providers at local level - so that people can avail of a variety of complimentary training options that suit their needs, and in order to ensure that money is well spent.'
Ms Brady also expressed concern about new measures within the Budget which mean that those on the Back to Education Allowance will no longer be eligible for a student support grant. Reacting to this decision, she said 'The Back to Education Allowance is part of the whole upskilling strategy, and has been a real incentive for adults availing of education, particularly for those who may not have completed their formal education first time around. The Supplementary Budget in April this year reduced the qualifying period for people applying for BTEA. Changes to social welfare allowances, combined with the loss of the student support grant may make a third level education financially unaffordable again for many adults', said Ms Brady. Figures from the Department of Education and Science for the 2009/2010 academic year indicate that over 18,700 applications for the Back to Education Allowance were approved by the end of October 2009.
'We are also disappointed to see the level of investment in workplace learning drop. This includes a reduction in funding to Skillsnets programmes, but also to Community Employment Projects, which provide opportunities for those in employment to avail of training and learning opportunities. '81% of the 5,000 learners that contacted us this year have been out of education for more than ten years and 52% of this cohort has been out of education for more than 20 years. Upskilling or reskilling is a massive challenge for someone who has been out of education and training for a long period of time.'
ENDS
Note to Editor
1. BTEA (The Back to Education Allowance) is a scheme for unemployed people, lone parents and people with disabilities who are getting certain payments from the Department of Social and Family Affairs. The allowance can be paid to people who wish to do or take approved second or third level courses of education.
