About AONTAS

With our members’ concerns as our focus, we advocate for change at high-level meetings and steering groups with Government, policymakers, and funders. We prioritise community education and supporting people who provide all types of learning in local communities across the country, based on a model of social justice which priorities the furthest behind in our education system. 

We conduct evidence-based research - through the National Further Education and Training Learner Forum - to develop and share new insights and findings into adult and community education. This is the basis of our calls for policy change. We prioritise learners and Learner Voice, facilitating and supporting learners to represent themselves and their communities directly with policymakers. We also publish Ireland's leading peer-reviewed academic journal, the Adult Learner, sharing expertise and new findings in adult and community education. 

We will seek to create networking opportunities for sharing best practice and learning, backed by our evidence-based research. We will facilitate collaboration among different stakeholders in the sector, including government bodies, adult and community education providers, and non-profit organisations. We will deliver training initiatives, workshops, and information sessions on relevant topics for learners. We will design and deliver professional development programs for members, educators, trainers, and administrators within the sector (for example to enhance teaching methods and learner-centred approaches, incorporating technology in adult learning). We will develop educational resources, toolkits, and guidelines to support educators in their professional growth. We will identify and collaborate with key stakeholders to develop socially-inclusive policies and frameworks.

We have hundreds of members who connect with all communities across the island of Ireland. Our members inform all our research and campaigns as we advocate for policy change in our education system to benefit everyone.