The shortlist is divided into five categories of adult learning initiatives that support people with:
The STAR Awards is judged by an independent panel of educators, policymakers, adult learners, and other adult learning experts.
Let’s take a closer look at the shortlisted initiatives for the category of Learner Voice.
Cork ETB Learners’ Voices is a learner-led initiative providing a safe space for Cork ETB learners to have their voices heard. Running for over 3.5 years, their ultimate goal is to include all Cork ETB FET learners in the group to form one collective voice and all-inclusive group. To date, the group have achieved: a Learner Charter, an ISIC Learner Card, virtual and physical Learner Suggestion Boxes, a promotional poster and videos, a newsletter, the coordination of learner wellbeing days, and presentation and representation at local, regional and national events and collaboration with other ETBs. They have plans to further expand across Cork ETB FET. By enhancing learners’ experiences and creating a better experience for learners, people progress more easily through the QQI framework and onto third level. Learners involved in the group also gain new skills in communication, problem solving, strategizing, meeting etiquette, digital literacy, team building, event management, and community link foundation. This enhances their C.V. portfolio and broadens their opportunities for education, expands their employability skills, and leads to better career progression.
This is a cross-organisational service established by City of Dublin ETB in December 2022 to develop consistent supports for learners across FET. Learner voice and learner leadership are integral to their service and activities. Their annual FET learner survey has seen a year-on-year increase in respondents. In 2023-4, over 2,700 learners participated in the survey marking a 30% increase from the previous year. They conduct focus groups with learners in centres to delve deeper into themes emerging from the survey findings and in 2024 hosted their ETB’s first learner conference. They work closely with student councils on different initiatives and have developed a handbook for new student council members. The impact of these core activities have led to tangible results for learners across our FET centres. Feedback from learners led to the rollout of a free City of Dublin ETB-branded internationally recognised student identity card for PLC, BTEI, VTOS, Youthreach learners and apprentices on FET programmes in 2023-24. Over 5,000 learners have benefited from this initiative. This service is directly contributing to an improved learner experience for learners in Dublin city and raising the profile of FET.
After partipating in the AONTAS/DALC training course in Maynooth on Voter Education and Active Citizenship last year, REHAB developed and rolled out a series of Voter Education Workshops to our National Learning Network and RehabCare services across the country. The contents of the workshops were tailored so that they would highlight themes of self-advocacy for people with disabilities and finding solutions to challenges that people in our services face when going through the registration and voting process. They ran 10 sessions in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Kilkenny, and Portlaoise, with more planned. They encourage learners to engage in conversation with each other and the wider group. Group discussions centred on the issues and challenges that the learners identified as having an affect on them such as lack of public transport, difficulty finding and retaining work, discrimination, exclusion, and inaccessibility in their local communities and at a national level. Learners were encouraged to find candidates that aligned with their values and goals, and prepared with the questions they could ask candidates who were canvassing for their votes in the Local Elections. Many of the participants in the workshops had never voted before and found the prospect of registering daunting. The election process was outlined step by step and learners had the opportunity to discuss and ask questions about any difficulties or worries they might have. Learners understood that it is their fundamental right to vote and it is the duty of their local authorities to ensure that voting is accessible to everyone. Several people participated in Rehab’s Pre-Budget Campaign Day, travelling to Leinster House to present to TDs and Senators on the issues of importance to them. They also visited the Mansion House and presented a copy of the Rehab Pre-Budget Submission to the Lord Mayor of Dublin. The Voter Education Programme has been pivotal in ensuring that the people who use Rehab’s services are empowered to speak out not only on their own behalf but also on behalf of people with disabilities across Ireland.
This project captured and shared the voices of adult learners in the ETB literacy service, highlighting their personal journeys and achievements, especially those who have faced unique challenges in returning to education. The project shines a light on the stigma and challenges they faced. The videos they created celebrate the resilience of learners and encourage others to engage in lifelong learning. The initiative has made transformative changes in learners’ lives and the wider community by increasing literacy awareness, digital skills, and self-advocacy through adult education. Local radio played some of the student videos and interviewed a member of the team, and local papers ran stories for International Literacy Day. Learners have shown increased self-confidence and self-advocacy as they’ve taken on leadership roles, such as speaking at events, representing peers, and participating in policy discussions through organisations like AONTAS, LOETB and NALA and appearing on RTÉ News and in the papers. By empowering ambassadors to share their stories, the project created a ripple effect that encourages other community members to pursue lifelong learning and seek support for literacy and digital literacy. This ongoing impact highlights the value of learner voice in shaping a more inclusive and supportive learning landscape.
The Adult Learners’ Festival, happening this year from 3rd to 7th March 2025, is a nationwide celebration of adult learning. This year’s theme is “Connecting Communities”. Adult and community education is the bridge that connects communities across the island of Ireland. Visit this page for more details about the Festival
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