The BLUESS Project is part of the EU Programme for Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI), managed directly by the European Commission. A proposal was submitted by the National Coordinator of the European Agenda for Adult Learning (EAAL) in Slovakia, the State Vocational Education Institute in mid-2018. With our strong understanding of the Irish policy frameworks and connection to adult learning providers across Ireland, AONTAS was asked to participate in this project as a member of the working group.
AONTAS’ presentation focused on the implementation of the Upskilling Pathways Recommendation to boost access to – and take-up of – quality learning opportunities for adults who may not have completed an upper secondary level educational qualification. We also outlined the practical implementation of basic skills development through adult learning in Ireland. We highlighted learning models including community education programmes, Further Education and Training (FET) colleges, the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) and the Back to Education Initiative (BTEI). All of these programmes offer skills development to a wide variety of learners in Ireland and have support services in place to make courses more accessible for hard-to-reach groups.
During the conference delegates also had the chance to hear presentations from several other participants and project partners including:
With the BLUESS project officially underway and running until the end of 2020, we look forward to sharing updates with our members and other stakeholders in Ireland about this important work in Slovakia. We hope that AONTAS’ input from Ireland, which originates from our grassroots membership, can help to create an open, progressive, and welcoming basic skills policy and programme structure in another part of Europe.
For more information on the BLUESS Project, and other European projects that AONTAS is involved in, please contact Dearbháil Lawless, EU Projects Officer at: dlawless@aontas.com