A group of adult learners are travelling to Malta this week to take part in a workplace study visit organised by AONTAS, the National Adult Learning Organisation.
The trip takes place, in partnership with the Skills for Work programme, a government initiative. It is part of an EU-funded project that aims to increase the number of people taking part in adult learning.
The Skills for Work participants include two Mná an Tí from Gweedore, Co Donegal, an Irish Rail Inspector from Co Laois and a Finglas native who works as a general operative with Geodis. Skills for Work has provided free tailored upskilling courses to all participants with the support of their companies.
Hosted by the Ministry for Education and Employment of Malta, the group will mix practical training with site visits.
Speaking from Malta, Bean an Tí Marian Mhic Pháidín said: “We are always looking to learn something new and Malta has a thriving tourism industry. We will visit the Institute of Tourism Studies (ITS) and bring home tips and ideas for our own community.”
Geodis employee, William Kellett said: “I’m particularly interested in the training element of the visit. We will join Maltese adult learners to learn more about self-empowerment. These are skills we can use in all aspects of life.”
Speaking about the visit AONTAS CEO Niamh O’Reilly said: “EU projects like this support adult learners in Ireland to acquire new work skills, contributing to professional and personal development. AONTAS is delighted to offer this opportunity to learners from across Ireland so that they can bring back new ideas to their own workplaces and communities.”
Marian Lynch, Skills for Work Coordinator is accompanying the learners on the trip. Ms Lynch said: “Skills for Work is a national programme that provides training opportunities to help employees deal with the basic skills demands of the workplace. Malta and Ireland have a lot in common across a number of sectors, so it provides us with an important opportunity to exchange information with our EU neighbours and learn more about their industries.”