Learner Voice in Action: Reflections on the National FET Learner Forum 2025–2026
Written by
Published on
June 23, 2026
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“I appreciate the genuine concern about the wellbeing and happiness of students”
The National Further Education and Training (FET) Learner Forum is a Learner Voice project designed to bring together adult learners from across Ireland to ask their views on their FET experience. The Forum ensures that FET meets the needs of adult learners today and will continue to do so in future.
AONTAS are responsible for delivering the National FET Learner Forum. We work in partnership with each of Ireland’s 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) to host regional events with focus groups. We also share a survey with learners. At the end of each regional Forum event, learners are aso invited to complete an evaluation form to give us their feedback.
Over the 2025-26 academic term, we engaged with 2,007 learners at 9 ETBs, involving 711 learners through focus groups, and 1,296 through the learner survey.
When asked what they thought about the Forum, 99% of learners considered their experience to be a positive one, with 64% describing their forum as “excellent”.
What Learners enjoyed about the Forum
There are several recurring positive themes which emerged across all nine events. These themes highlight the benefits of the National FET Learner Forum and listening to Learner Voice.
Engaging in the focus groups discussions was rated by 42% of participants as one of the most enjoyable parts of the day.
Learners particularly enjoyed the interactions with other learners and the chance to share their experiences with their peers. They liked hearing from “people from different courses and centres with different ideas and stories” and commented on the diversity of learners represented at their tables, of all ages and cultures.
“I liked being able to interact with learners from other centres, and also being able to air what could be done in order to make our learning experience more favourable” – adult learner, Laois and Offaly ETB
The welcoming and inclusive environment was frequently mentioned by learners, saying that they felt comfortable and respected throughout the process. Participants appreciated the accessibility of the event, and how the atmosphere was open, encouraging and friendly.
“I appreciate the genuine concern about the wellbeing and happiness of students” – adult learner, Donegal ETB
Focus group facilitators have played a huge role in creating these safe spaces for learners and in ensuring all voices are heard at each table. As in previous years, our external panel of experienced facilitators are consistently and highly praised by learners for their encouragement, interest and support, and how they ensured that everyone had a chance to talk and to give their opinions.
“I liked the friendly environment, learning about other FET courses, the supportive facilitator, the diversity of learners and the time given to each learner. I found it a very positive experience” – adult learner, Cork ETB
Facilitators were described as ‘kind and engaging’, “brilliant”, “open and encouraging” and “helpful and friendly”.
Another important aspect of the forum for learners was the opportunity to have their voices heard and to give anonymous feedback on their experiences of education. Being able to speak freely and without judgement was referenced on multiple occasions, and learners felt that the process ensured that their views were respected and taken seriously by their ETB.
One learner commented, “I learned that my opinion is important, that they are willing to listen and to try to make change” Another said, “It’s brilliant that you care about our feedback. It sounds like it’s important to the organisation”
Feeling heard in a meaningful way is particularly important for learners with negative past experiences of mainstream education. Empowering them to have a voice and to work in partnership with their ETB goes some way to redress feelings of exclusion, marginalisation, and disengagement. Learners valued the idea of ‘finding solutions’ to some of the challenges posed in their groups, and were positive that “our feedback can influence future policies” – adult learner, Kerry ETB
From a logistical point of view, great care is taken by our team to ensure our spaces and environments are welcoming, accessible and comfortable for learners. We are heartened to read comments from learners referencing friendly staff, free merchandise, smooth organisation, nice venues and delicious food.
“Everyone’s voices being heard, very kind and helpful supporting staff, a good environment and nice students to chat to” were some of the highlights noted by one learner.
It should also be noted that the social aspect of a forum is massively important for participants. Meeting people from different courses, centres and cultures was frequently cited as a positive aspect. For many learners, the forum is the first time they’ve had the opportunity to connect with other learners from their wider ETB network. One participant noted “I liked the talking and the feeling of community”
The Forum is also a fun and enjoyable day for learners. One learner described the “friendly and relaxed atmosphere and good communication with wonderful people”
Until Next Time!
At the end of this academic term, AONTAS would like to acknowledge each of the nine Education and Training Boards who collaborated with us on the National FET Learner Forum in the 2025-26 academic year: Laois and Offaly, Longford and Westmeath, Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim; Cavan and Monaghan, Cork, Kerry, Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford, and Donegal.
Finally, a big ‘thank you’ to our fantastic panel of external facilitators: Andy Battell, Caitriona Ruane, Catherine Callanan, Cora Lambert, Dervla King, Geraldine Foley Butler, Geraldine Howe, Helen Mortimer, Julie Griffiths, Louise Burns, Lucy Deering, Mairead Mahon, Margaret Scollan, Margo Hayes, Matt Crofton, Mieke Neven McMahon, Philomena Carroll, Richard Fongkong-Foran, Riona Rochford, Sharon Fongkong Foran, Trisha Wilkinson Una Buckley and Vincent Kenny.
AONTAS look forward to sharing the results of our national Learner Voice engagement and research with you at our Adult Learning Summit in October 2026.
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Learner Voice in Action: Reflections on the National FET Learner Forum 2025–2026
Written by
Published on
June 23, 2026
Share This
“I appreciate the genuine concern about the wellbeing and happiness of students”
The National Further Education and Training (FET) Learner Forum is a Learner Voice project designed to bring together adult learners from across Ireland to ask their views on their FET experience. The Forum ensures that FET meets the needs of adult learners today and will continue to do so in future.
AONTAS are responsible for delivering the National FET Learner Forum. We work in partnership with each of Ireland’s 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) to host regional events with focus groups. We also share a survey with learners. At the end of each regional Forum event, learners are aso invited to complete an evaluation form to give us their feedback.
Over the 2025-26 academic term, we engaged with 2,007 learners at 9 ETBs, involving 711 learners through focus groups, and 1,296 through the learner survey.
When asked what they thought about the Forum, 99% of learners considered their experience to be a positive one, with 64% describing their forum as “excellent”.
What Learners enjoyed about the Forum
There are several recurring positive themes which emerged across all nine events. These themes highlight the benefits of the National FET Learner Forum and listening to Learner Voice.
Engaging in the focus groups discussions was rated by 42% of participants as one of the most enjoyable parts of the day.
Learners particularly enjoyed the interactions with other learners and the chance to share their experiences with their peers. They liked hearing from “people from different courses and centres with different ideas and stories” and commented on the diversity of learners represented at their tables, of all ages and cultures.
“I liked being able to interact with learners from other centres, and also being able to air what could be done in order to make our learning experience more favourable” – adult learner, Laois and Offaly ETB
The welcoming and inclusive environment was frequently mentioned by learners, saying that they felt comfortable and respected throughout the process. Participants appreciated the accessibility of the event, and how the atmosphere was open, encouraging and friendly.
“I appreciate the genuine concern about the wellbeing and happiness of students” – adult learner, Donegal ETB
Focus group facilitators have played a huge role in creating these safe spaces for learners and in ensuring all voices are heard at each table. As in previous years, our external panel of experienced facilitators are consistently and highly praised by learners for their encouragement, interest and support, and how they ensured that everyone had a chance to talk and to give their opinions.
“I liked the friendly environment, learning about other FET courses, the supportive facilitator, the diversity of learners and the time given to each learner. I found it a very positive experience” – adult learner, Cork ETB
Facilitators were described as ‘kind and engaging’, “brilliant”, “open and encouraging” and “helpful and friendly”.
Another important aspect of the forum for learners was the opportunity to have their voices heard and to give anonymous feedback on their experiences of education. Being able to speak freely and without judgement was referenced on multiple occasions, and learners felt that the process ensured that their views were respected and taken seriously by their ETB.
One learner commented, “I learned that my opinion is important, that they are willing to listen and to try to make change” Another said, “It’s brilliant that you care about our feedback. It sounds like it’s important to the organisation”
Feeling heard in a meaningful way is particularly important for learners with negative past experiences of mainstream education. Empowering them to have a voice and to work in partnership with their ETB goes some way to redress feelings of exclusion, marginalisation, and disengagement. Learners valued the idea of ‘finding solutions’ to some of the challenges posed in their groups, and were positive that “our feedback can influence future policies” – adult learner, Kerry ETB
From a logistical point of view, great care is taken by our team to ensure our spaces and environments are welcoming, accessible and comfortable for learners. We are heartened to read comments from learners referencing friendly staff, free merchandise, smooth organisation, nice venues and delicious food.
“Everyone’s voices being heard, very kind and helpful supporting staff, a good environment and nice students to chat to” were some of the highlights noted by one learner.
It should also be noted that the social aspect of a forum is massively important for participants. Meeting people from different courses, centres and cultures was frequently cited as a positive aspect. For many learners, the forum is the first time they’ve had the opportunity to connect with other learners from their wider ETB network. One participant noted “I liked the talking and the feeling of community”
The Forum is also a fun and enjoyable day for learners. One learner described the “friendly and relaxed atmosphere and good communication with wonderful people”
Until Next Time!
At the end of this academic term, AONTAS would like to acknowledge each of the nine Education and Training Boards who collaborated with us on the National FET Learner Forum in the 2025-26 academic year: Laois and Offaly, Longford and Westmeath, Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim; Cavan and Monaghan, Cork, Kerry, Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford, and Donegal.
Finally, a big ‘thank you’ to our fantastic panel of external facilitators: Andy Battell, Caitriona Ruane, Catherine Callanan, Cora Lambert, Dervla King, Geraldine Foley Butler, Geraldine Howe, Helen Mortimer, Julie Griffiths, Louise Burns, Lucy Deering, Mairead Mahon, Margaret Scollan, Margo Hayes, Matt Crofton, Mieke Neven McMahon, Philomena Carroll, Richard Fongkong-Foran, Riona Rochford, Sharon Fongkong Foran, Trisha Wilkinson Una Buckley and Vincent Kenny.
AONTAS look forward to sharing the results of our national Learner Voice engagement and research with you at our Adult Learning Summit in October 2026.
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