AONTAS launches ‘What Next’ – a guide to information on education and training options for adults in Ireland.
5 Sep 2011 12:23 PM
AONTAS, the National Adult Learning Organisation, has today launched 'What Next'- a guide to information on education and training options for adults in Ireland. The guide is launched as thousands of adults are considering taking up education or training over the winter time.
With few employment opportunities and the continuing decline of traditional employment sectors such as construction, the demand for adult education continues to grow. A major survey published in July this year on behalf of the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs found that in the last quarter of 2010 there had been an increase of 40% in the number of adults over 25 taking part in formal learning activities in comparison to the same time period in 2005.
AONTAS operates an Information Referral Service, which helps people connect in with the services they need to pursue their education - these include course providers, the adult education guidance services, and social welfare offices.
Speaking about the demand for adult education Berni Brady said 'There are all sorts of reasons for people taking up education. People contacting us include those who want a second chance at their education, people who want to set up their own business, those who want to make new friends and professional contacts, and people who are using the recession to pursue new career options. 'In 2010, 165,000 adults availed of courses at their local VEC. There were approximately, 40, 000 mature students at third level. These figures do not include the large numbers who take up evening courses with private providers and the numbers of those taking up non formal learning opportunities in their local communities.
There are now a number of options to suit a variety of learning needs from basic education right through to specialised third level education courses. The government recently introduced the Springboard Initiative, which offers free third level education opportunities to adults with substantial work experience who are currently unemployed. On September 2nd the eligibility criteria for Springboard was expanded to include all adults who are unemployed, who may now apply for the remaining places.
'While its positive to see the range of education and training options is increasing, there are different eligibility criteria for different initiatives, which can be confusing for people', said Ms Brady. 'This means that people often aren't aware of the opportunities that they can avail of. We hope that this guide will help demystify some of the options available for adults wishing to take up education opportunities. 'What Next' answers questions which AONTAS regularly comes across - how to find a course, accreditation and qualifications, and financial supports for adult learners and mature students.
Over 1,000 copies of the guide were distributed at last week's 'Which Course' Exhibition at the RDS in Dublin. The guide can be downloaded from the AONTAS website at www.aontas.com and hard copies are available by contacting the AONTAS office.
ENDS
For more information contact: Niamh Farren, Communications Officer
087 911 0569
Note to Editor
Figures on participation in third level sourced from the HEA, they include mature students (over 23) taking part in full time undergraduate and postgraduate courses in both universities and Institutes of Technology, as of January 2010.
Figures on participation in VEC courses sourced from the Department of Education and Skills.
