Labour Party President highlights adult education as a service of the greatest significance
21 Feb 2011 06:21 PM
Labour Party President highlights adult education as a service of the greatest significance
Nine initiatives were today singled out as outstanding examples of adult learning at the AONTAS STAR Awards Ceremony at the D4 Berkeley Hotel in Dublin. Speaking at the ceremony, President of the Labour Party Michael D Higgins said "enhancing adult learning, resourcing it, and structuring it in such a way as to meet the needs of people of all ages, is above all else, a citizenship issue."
Opening the Festival, Minister for Lifelong Learning Sean Haughey said 'It is only with well developed key competencies and core skills, such as teamworking, literacy, IT and communications that learners will be able to innovate and create. The Festival has gone from strength to strength and has actively encouraged the lifelong learning spirit resulting in increased numbers enrolling in courses across the country.
Speaking on behalf of AONTAS, Berni Brady said 'In the lead up to the General Election, this event really showcases the potential for adult learning to play a significant role in our recovery. All twenty seven initiatives here are outstanding examples of people coming together and collectively rising to that challenge - we have a car maintenance project which is providing training and upskilling opportunities to unemployed young men in Newmarket; a hand craft initiative which is developing as an enterprise on the Aran Islands, and a women's centre which aims to level the political playing field in Longford.'
This is the fifth year that AONTAS has organised the STAR Awards. The Awards ceremony is the opening event for the AONTAS Adult Learners' Festival - with over 400 events taking part in communities throughout the country. The website www.adultlearnersfestival.com contains all of the information about local events as well as information and useful contacts for people considering adult education.
In advance of the General Election, AONTAS is calling on the political parties to review the Public Sector Recruitment embargo, which is stretching the capacity of the adult education services to meet the increasing demand for adult education. Almost all staff roles are not defined as frontline and therefore are not being replaced if people leave. In addition, AONTAS is calling on political parties to consider the high cost of education for adult learners. 'If we want to increase our skills level, then we need to make education affordable for people' said Ms Brady.
For more information/ details on winning projects contact:
Niamh Farren, Communications Officer: 01 406 8220/ 087 911 0569
Note to Editor:
AONTAS: The Voice of Adult Learning: AONTAS is the National Adult Learning Organisation, a membership organisation with 600 members including individuals, organisations and members. The mission of AONTAS is to The mission of AONTAS is to advocate for the right of every adult in Ireland to quality learning.
Winners
Connaught
- Mná le Chéile (Inis Oirr)
Dublin
- Service User Involvement (Soilse)
Leinster
- Longford Women's Link
Munster
- OBAIR, Newmarket Car Maintenance Project (Co. Clare)
Ulster
- Advantage Training - accredited training on age issues (Belfast)
Projects in Progress - all areas
- Adult Better Learning & Education (ABLE) 18 -21 programme (Tolka Partnership)
Nationwide or All-Island Reach
- Partnership Education Initiative in Drug Prevention Education and Research Capacity. (UCD)
Learning for Work
- Open Learning Centre (ILAC Centre Library)
Once Off Initiatives - All Areas
- 'Bridging the Gap' (Wexford)
