‘Learning Today for a Better Tomorrow’ – Closing Event
On 24th October 2017, AONTAS, as national coordinating body for the European Agenda for Adult Learning (EAAL) in Ireland, welcomed more than 50 project partners and stakeholders to the closing event of the ‘Learning Today for a Better Tomorrow’ 2015-2017 project. The conference marked the completion of the two year programme of collaboration and innovations under the EAAL agenda to increase participation in adult learning across the EU, enhance policies and supports for adult learners, and gather and disseminate best practices.
EU Leverage to Improve Participation in Lifelong Learning in Ireland
The Clock Tower at the Department of Education and Skills hosted a full house for the AONTAS transnational seminar on the impact of the EU on Ireland’s adult learning policies and practices on 28th April 2016.
AONTAS welcomes the new Minister of State with special responsibility for Training and Skills
AONTAS welcomes the new Minister of State with special responsibility for Training and Skills at the Department of Education and Skills and the Department of Jobs Enterprise and Innovation, John Halligan TD. We look forward to working with him in his term of office, in particular highlighting the potential of adult and community education to meet the skills needs of the future.
What’s Happening to Adult Education? Let’s Listen to the Educators and Learners
Stephen O’Brien is a college lecturer and researcher in the School of Education at University College Cork. He has recently written a book called Inside Education: exploring the art of good learning.
D8CEC – 20 Years from the Classroom to the Community
AONTAS is passionate about advocating for the value of community education and our Community Education Network (CEN), set up in 2007, is pivotal to this work. The CEN comprises of over 130 community education organisations who work collectively to gain recognition for community education, raise its profile and lobby to ensure it is adequately resourced.
AONTAS Membership Engagement: A Vital Link for the Community
Jim Prior is Coordinator of Southill Family Resource Centre, a member of the Limerick Community Education Network (LCEN) and Vice President of AONTAS. The LCEN represents over 19 community education based organisations across Limerick city and they have been members of AONTAS for over 12 years. Here Jim shares how the LCEN has engaged with the work of AONTAS over this time.
Leaving Cert Options for Adult Learners
Returning to education to sit the Leaving Cert as an adult can provide a vital second chance for those that left school early. It can be difficult to take that first step back into education but there are plenty of opportunities and supports available if you wish to choose this route.
Alan Hand – One Year On
In 2016, Alan Hand made the big decision to return to education and complete his Leaving Certificate after becoming unemployed in 2013 due to the recession.
Alan completed his Leaving Cert through the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) run by Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB) in summer 2016. Since then he has become a strong advocate for adult learning.
One year on we talked to Alan about why he made the decision to return to education, how his life has changed and what advice he would give to others thinking of doing the same.
Collaboration, Innovation and Learning in Barcelona
Earlier this summer Matthew Waters from An Cosán Virtual Community College (VCC) travelled to the Spanish city of Barcelona to present at EDULEARN – one of the largest international education conferences.
The trip took place as part of the ERASMUS+ ‘Making an Impact at European Level’ project. Organised by AONTAS it supports the professional development of our Community Education Network (CEN). Here Matthew shares the highlights of his trip.
Exposure to Adult Education in Romania
Last month Joan Keehan from Southill Family Resource Centre (FRC) Limerick visited Craiova as part of ERASMUS+ ‘Making an Impact at European Level’ an EU-funded project that supports the professional development of adult education workers. In our latest blog she shares her experience.