Learner Voice Training Making a Real Difference in Further Education and Training
Written by
Published on
December 3, 2025
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At AONTAS, we have been collaborating with Education and Training Boards (ETBs) to establish sustainable Learner Voice structures through staff training. This training is developed and delivered by Learner Voice Project Officer, Karyn Farrell, and Education Projects Officer, Ruby Cooney. The training is funded by the New European Agenda for Adult Learning.
Learner Voice Training for Staff
The training sessions are interactive and practical, lasting three hours, and tailored to the ETB’s needs. Participants explore Learner Voice theory, engage in peer discussions, and gain tools to develop and sustain Learner Voice structures. It’s suited for staff working with learners, including those in inclusion, learner development, quality assurance, or involved in the National FET Learner Forum.
The New European Agenda for Adult Learning guides how Europe supports adult learning through 2030, with countries implementing it locally. AONTAS oversees this in Ireland, aiming to create an empowering learning ecosystem for learners, organisations, and community education. The development of the Learner Voice Training plays a key role in this.
Over the past two years, 158 participants have been trained across 12 ETBs. This work has created a network of staff passionate about Learner Voice and introduced a digital learning format. Most importantly, it has strengthened learner participation and inclusive decision-making in adult education.
Where have we delivered Learner Voice training?
In 2024, four training sessions was delivered across four ETBs, engaging 35 participants, including:
- City of Dublin Education and Training Board – Prison Education
- Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board
- Dublin and Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board
- Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board
“The session focused our attention on where to start and gave us a structure and framework to ensure organisational consistency.”– ETB Staff Member
Building on this, in 2025, training sessions were delivered across eight ETBs, engaging 86 participants. Locations included:
- Louth and Meath Education and Training Board
- Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board
- Kerry Education and Training Board
- Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board
- Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board
- Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board
- Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board
- Longford and Westmeath Education and Training Board
Learner Voice Digital Badge 2026
“Excellent resource to enhance professionalism and standardisation of the learner experience.” – ETB Staff Member
In 2026, AONTAS will release the Learner Voice Digital Badge on OpenCourses.ie. This course is designed to enhance staff capacity to develop Learner Voice structures in Further Education and Training (FET) settings. ETB staff who complete this training will receive a digital badge issued from the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education.
In October 2025, a four-week self-directed online course was piloted to evaluate content and collect feedback before the Learner Voice Digital Badge rollout in 2026. The pilot involved 37 participants from 11 ETBs and was developed based on the training delivered over the past two years.
“I really enjoyed the learning, and it has highlighted what needs to happen in our centre going forward.” – ETB Staff Member
Interested?
If you’re interested in completing the Learner Voice Digital Badge, register your attendance here. If you would like to learn more about this, contact Ruby at rcooney@aontas.com
This project is funded through the New European Agenda for Adult Learning (NEAAL)
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
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Learner Voice Training Making a Real Difference in Further Education and Training
Written by
Published on
December 3, 2025
Share This
At AONTAS, we have been collaborating with Education and Training Boards (ETBs) to establish sustainable Learner Voice structures through staff training. This training is developed and delivered by Learner Voice Project Officer, Karyn Farrell, and Education Projects Officer, Ruby Cooney. The training is funded by the New European Agenda for Adult Learning.
Learner Voice Training for Staff
The training sessions are interactive and practical, lasting three hours, and tailored to the ETB’s needs. Participants explore Learner Voice theory, engage in peer discussions, and gain tools to develop and sustain Learner Voice structures. It’s suited for staff working with learners, including those in inclusion, learner development, quality assurance, or involved in the National FET Learner Forum.
The New European Agenda for Adult Learning guides how Europe supports adult learning through 2030, with countries implementing it locally. AONTAS oversees this in Ireland, aiming to create an empowering learning ecosystem for learners, organisations, and community education. The development of the Learner Voice Training plays a key role in this.
Over the past two years, 158 participants have been trained across 12 ETBs. This work has created a network of staff passionate about Learner Voice and introduced a digital learning format. Most importantly, it has strengthened learner participation and inclusive decision-making in adult education.
Where have we delivered Learner Voice training?
In 2024, four training sessions was delivered across four ETBs, engaging 35 participants, including:
- City of Dublin Education and Training Board – Prison Education
- Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board
- Dublin and Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board
- Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board
“The session focused our attention on where to start and gave us a structure and framework to ensure organisational consistency.”– ETB Staff Member
Building on this, in 2025, training sessions were delivered across eight ETBs, engaging 86 participants. Locations included:
- Louth and Meath Education and Training Board
- Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board
- Kerry Education and Training Board
- Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board
- Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board
- Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board
- Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board
- Longford and Westmeath Education and Training Board
Learner Voice Digital Badge 2026
“Excellent resource to enhance professionalism and standardisation of the learner experience.” – ETB Staff Member
In 2026, AONTAS will release the Learner Voice Digital Badge on OpenCourses.ie. This course is designed to enhance staff capacity to develop Learner Voice structures in Further Education and Training (FET) settings. ETB staff who complete this training will receive a digital badge issued from the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education.
In October 2025, a four-week self-directed online course was piloted to evaluate content and collect feedback before the Learner Voice Digital Badge rollout in 2026. The pilot involved 37 participants from 11 ETBs and was developed based on the training delivered over the past two years.
“I really enjoyed the learning, and it has highlighted what needs to happen in our centre going forward.” – ETB Staff Member
Interested?
If you’re interested in completing the Learner Voice Digital Badge, register your attendance here. If you would like to learn more about this, contact Ruby at rcooney@aontas.com
This project is funded through the New European Agenda for Adult Learning (NEAAL)
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
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The very latest news from the adult and community education sector
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