New obstacles may slow down progress on National Skills Strategy, warns Adult Learning Organisation
3 Jun 2010 11:57 AM
PRESS RELEASE
June 2nd 2010
New obstacles may slow down progress on National Skills Strategy, warns Adult Learning Organisation
'New obstacles faced by those looking to return to education may slow down progress on the National Skills Strategy,' said Berni Brady, Director of AONTAS today. She was speaking in advance of the debate in the Seanad which focuses on the issue of lifelong learning and which puts the government's progress on the skills strategy under the spotlight.
The debate follows yesterday's announcement from the Department of Education of 6589 places on a variety of courses under the Labour Market Activation Fund. The €20 million fund is expected to deliver a range of new measures for people who are unemployed, which follow initiatives from the Supplementary Budget last year.
There is increased enthusiasm from the general public for upskilling, with Irish adults keen to hit the classroom in greater numbers. The government has responded by investing in retraining and upskilling, however, this response falls short of the demand that is out there. 'Last year AONTAS fielded queries from over 6,000 learners, double the number of queries received in 2007' said Ms Brady. 'This pattern is replicated throughout the country, as adult and community education providers are severely stretched to meet the demand for adult education.'
'The number of adults in the workforce with only levels 1-3 is still extremely high,' added Ms Brady 'and we are encouraged to see this identified as an immediate priority by the Minister for Lifelong Learning.' According to a recent update on the Skills strategy this figure has dropped from 27% to 21% of the workforce - but the figure needs to drop to 7% by 2020. 'This means that in reality, about one fifth of the labour force has only their Junior Cert. Last year three quarters of the people contacting AONTAS had been out of the formal education system for the past ten years. A new report from the Joint Oireachtas Committee and Science has just opened up discussion on the issue of early school leaving, and raises interesting questions about the retention of students at second level', she said.
'We need to raise the bar if we are to be a serious contender as a knowledge economy', said Ms Brady. In relation to higher education we have set ourselves ambitious targets to increase the number of mature students in third level - to 27% by 2013. At the same time, changes in the Budget prevent those on the Back to Education Allowance from applying for a Student Maintenance Grant. 'This change is a regressive step; it will affect a cohort of unemployed adults who want to return to education, either to complete their second level education, or to pursue a third level qualification.'
A second obstacle to be negotiated is the public sector recruitment embargo, which has stretched the adult education services within the VEC to the point where it has difficulty meeting the demand for adult education. VECs around the country are reporting an increase in interest for adult education -in some cases there are three applicants for every place. Adults who want to access ancillary support services such as Adult Guidance can now expect waiting lists. Adult Education Officers, who are responsible for the development of the service, along with the recruitment, support and retention of learners, are subject to the embargo and are not being replaced.
Finally, one of the biggest challenges encountered by learners relates to the lack of clear, accurate and up to date information on their learning options. 'Anyone finding themselves unemployed for the first time has to navigate an absolute mine field so that they can weigh up their options. Both Budgets last year revised criteria and introduced new measures. It is vital that this information is communicated clearly so that people can be fasttracked into education and training as quickly as possible, said Ms Brady.'
'Expenditure on education is an investment that has to be made if we are to fully grasp future opportunities. A smart economy needs a highly skilled workforce', she concluded.
ENDS
For more information, contact
Niamh Farren, Communications Officer 01 4068220/ 087 911 0569
Note to Editor
1. AONTAS is the National Adult Learning Organisation a membership organisation which promotes adult and community education and lifelong learning. Approximately 600 individuals, groups, organisations and networks are members of AONTAS.
