Clare learning initiative makes Awards shortlist
2 Feb 2011 04:11 PM
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Monday, 31 January 2011
Clare learning initiative makes Awards shortlist
A car maintenance project based in Newmarket on Fergus has been shortlisted for an AONTAS STAR Award. The project which was initiated by staff at the OBAIR local development company, who recognised how car and motorbike maintenance could be used to successfully engage local unemployed men in the area to take up training and education.
The STAR Awards recognise teamwork and quality within adult and community education. 'Teh OBAIR Car Maintenance Project' is one of twenty seven learning initiatives on a shortlist for the awards, with the winners to be announced at a special ceremony in Dublin on Monday February 21st.
Berni Brady, Director of AONTAS said - 'We're delighted to see an initiative like this on the shortlist. While many of the projects nominated this year show that adult learning can help prepare people for employment, it's also important to recognise that learning can have real personal and social benefits as well.'
The shortlist and winning projects are decided by an Independent Judging Panel, which includes representatives from the NQAI, FÁS, the VEC, trade unions and academia. This year a total of 84 projects were nominated for awards. Michael D. Higgins, President of the Labour Party and TD for Galway West will give a keynote address at the ceremony. The ceremony itself will be opened by Sean Haughey TD, Minister for Lifelong Learning.
The STAR award is now in its fifth year, and the ceremony is the official opening of the Adult Learners' Festival. Throughout the week a number of events aimed at providing information to adult learners, showcasing the value of adult learning and celebrating the achievements of adult learners will take place.
ENDS
For more information contact:
Niamh Farren, Communications Officer - 01 406 8220/ 087 911 0569
Note to Editor
1. AONTAS - the voice of adult learning. AONTAS is a membership organisation funded by the Department of Education and Skills. The mission of AONTAS is to advocate for the right of every adult in Ireland to quality learning.
2. For more details on the STAR Awards initiative and the Adult Learners' Festival visit www.adultlearnersfestival.com. The Festival is supported by the Department of Education and Skills, FETAC, the NQAI, the TUI and ASTI.
3. Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on Monday February 21st at the D4 Berkeley Hotel in Ballsbridge.
