Black Lives Matter and Anti-Racism: What can you do?

On Thursday, 20th August, AONTAS and EPALE came together to host an online workshop on why Black Lives Matter still matters, and why it matters in Ireland in 2020. The workshop was delivered as part of the ‘Adult and Community Education: Supported Learner Pathways 2020-2021’ project under the European Agenda for Adult Learning (EAAL), funded by SOLAS and the European Commission.
The Adult Learner: Editorial Board Member Call
The Adult Learner is an Irish peer-reviewed journal for the adult and community education founded in the mid-1980s. As a joint initiative between AONTAS and the AEOA, the aim of the journal is to serve the needs of the adult education and lifelong learning sector by providing a forum for critical discussion and reflection. It […]
Recruiting Learners in a Time of COVID-19

Part of AONTAS’ communications with members since the move to remote working includes a weekly membership update and engagement webinar. This offers a space for shared learning and regular feedback. This blog post shares some takeaway points from our 19th membership webinar on the use of social media for course promotion and the recruitment of learners.
AONTAS Community Education Network (CEN) Survey 2020

The 17th online instalment centred on the results from the recent survey of AONTAS Community Education Network members as they prepare for a return to work and learning next month.
The Adult Education Guidance Services – Free, Local, Impartial and Confidential

At last week’s Weekly Membership Webinar Mary Stokes, Guidance Programme Coordinator for Further Education and Training (FET) from the National Centre for Guidance in Education, gave a presentation about guidance provision for adults and the role played by Adult Education Guidance Services in local communities across Ireland.
AONTAS Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2020

On 29th July, AONTAS held its 50th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in a hybrid format; both online via Zoom and with AONTAS staff and board members present at our office in Dublin. This marked the first time in AONTAS’ history that the AGM did not take place fully in person. Over 60 attendees were present at the online AGM, including representatives from Education and Training Boards (ETBs), community education organisations, and adult learners.
Growing Evidence Base of Widening Inequalities During COVID-19 for Learners across Ireland

AONTAS Research Officer, Dr Eve Cobain, attended the launch of Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) report on “The implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for policy in relation to children and young people” published on 22nd July. In our latest blog Eve draws comparisons between the ESRI report and AONTAS’ recent publications on the impact of COVID-19 on adult learners, including the “AONTAS COVID-19 Further Education and Training (FET) Learner Report
Mental Health Ireland: AONTAS Membership Update and Engagement Webinar

AONTAS Membership Update and Engagement Webinar 16 (featuring a contribution from Mental Health Ireland)
The Code Institute: AONTAS Membership Update and Engagement Webinar

AONTAS Membership Update and Engagement Webinar 15 (featuring a contribution from AONTAS member The Code Institute),
Community Education is gaining greater prominence in new EU lifelong learning policies

Sam O’Brien-Olinger, AONTAS Information and Policy Officer gives a brief overview of some of the most important new EU policies relating to adult learning including recent AONTAS advocacy activities at EU level. Sam also outlines aspects of the new Skills Agenda, the recent renewed commitment to the European Agenda for Adult Learning and why these are important for Ireland, AONTAS members and adult learners across the country.