Learner Voice Training for Learners
AONTAS offer Learner Voice Training to learners across the country
This project is funded through the New European Agenda for Adult Learning (NEAAL)
Learner Voice Training
Learner Voice is a concept based on the idea that learning should be guided by both learners and teachers. The goal of Learner Voice activities is to listen and respond to what learners need, which will facilitate more learners returning to and staying in Further Education and Training.
Learner Voice has always been and remains at the heart of AONTAS’ work, as we strive towards our vision of educational equality for all adult learners. When learners shape their own education, it benefits learners, educators, the setting, and the education system. When Learner Voice is a successful and positive experience for learners, it can be a jumping-off point for broader engagement in education, community, and society.
Learner Voice goes beyond creating an atmosphere of listening and learning; it positions learners’ feedback as a vehicle for change. It focuses on normalising feedback mechanisms that lead to meaningful action, not just consultation.
We provide tailored training opportunities for learners under the following themes:
- Committee Skills
- Your Story, Your Voice
- Understanding Advocacy
- Making change happen
What’s new with our Learner Voice Training?
As Ireland’s National Coordinator for the New European Agenda for Adult Learning (NEAAL), we are expanding our Learner Voice Training opportunities in 2026. We have delivered training to learners in 12 ETBs from 2024-2025. In 2026, we will roll out this training for learners in four more.
Learner Voice Resources
This Learners as Leaders handbook is a free resource to complement our ongoing Learner Voice Training. It provides ETB staff with the theory, tools, and practical resources to facilitate learners’ sharing of feedback and learning experiences at their ETB.
The goal is to help make learning better for everyone.
Since 2023, Learner Voice Project Officer Karyn Farrell and Education Projects Officer Ruby Cooney have been delivering tailored training sessions to groups of learners in a number of different settings.
May 2026: Dublin & Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board
Session delivered to 10 learners from Dublin College Further Education and Training, Balbriggan and Swords.
“The energy – it was very open, friendly and welcoming”. “The group discussions and brainstorming time”, and “meeting people with good ideas”
Aims of session:
- Involving learners in the development of the DDLETB Learner Representative structure
- Identifying and understanding the role and responsibilities of a Learner Representative with Dublin College
- Building the foundations of a Learner Representative charter
- Planning for the future and learner recruitment
October 2025: Kerry Education and Training Board
An Cosán - Online Session
Session delivered online to seven learners in An Cosán who had recently been elected as Class Reps.
Aims of session:
- Discussing the key responsibilities of being a Class Rep
- effective methods of providing feedback
An Cosán is one of the fantastic organisations within the AONTAS Community Education Network, and we were delighted to connect and share Learner Voice practices.
April 2024: Tipperary Education and Training Board
January 2024: Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board
Training delivered to 15 learners in The Tower Hotel in Waterford
Aim of session:
- Upskilling existing and potential new members of WWETB Learner Council.
- Understanding advocacy and representation
- Identifying areas working well and areas for improvement from the WWETB Forum Report from 2023.
Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board
September 2023: Tipperary Education and Training Board
Facilitated session delivered to 22 students on the theme “Making Changes”.
Aim of session:
- Identifying two key issues to work on in 2023 and 2024 to make adult learning better and more accessible.
- Issues identified: Transport and Work Experience
Working in small groups, participants decided what changes they want to see happen in relation to these two issues.
They identified the primary decision-makers in the county to work with to make these changes happen for students like themselves. They completed practical worksheets on preparing for a meeting with decision-makers, and they agreed on a series of next steps to make these changes happen.
September 2023: Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board
Session delivered to 30 learners
Aim of session:
- Training become Learner Champions in their ETB. The learners shared their stories and experiences to encourage other people to take up adult education classes in their area.
- Encouraging learners to identify their own strengths and to gain confidence in sharing their own stories.
At the end of the session, learners spoke about the independence they had gained from doing reading and writing courses:
“I can go to the GP and shopping by myself now … I feel more confident … When I arrived in Ireland, I couldn’t even say ‘hi’ now I speak to everyone and do things for myself.”
The feedback from learners was very positive. When asked how they felt after the workshop, the participants said, especially after speaking in front of the group, “I am feeling brave now”, and described the work as “interesting”, “motivational”, and “communicative”, and shared that the day had made them feel “happy”.
The development of resources and delivery of this workshop was funded by the European Union’s Erasmus+ programme, and is part of the Basis Education for Empowerment and Participation (BEEP) KA2 project. BEEP works with adults on democratic participation outside of electoral political processes.
March - April 2023
Tipperary Education and Training Board
Session delivered to 21 members of Tipperary Student Council
Aims of the session:
- Creating positive change for adult learners and improve experiences and outcomes.
- Understanding advocacy, identifying issues and solutions, and planning an advocacy campaign.
One participant said that, as a result of the training, “I feel like I can do something about what we care about.”
Cork Education and Training Board
Session delivered to the established Cork ETB Learner Voices Group
Background
In 2020 and 2021, Education and Training Boards across Ireland were going through a quality assurance review with Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI). Given that AONTAS have expertise in the area of Learner Voice, and given our history of research and learner engagement through the National FET Learner Forum, we were asked by ETBs to hold online training sessions with adult learners to prepare them to take part in quality assurance reviews with QQI.
In 2022, we began to develop this work, focusing on supporting people to gain more confidence and skills in leadership and self-advocacy. We held sessions with learners from six ETBs, with a total of 167 learners taking part. These sessions focused on communicating to people that voicing their experience and sharing feedback on their courses and on interactions with their ETB can be integral to creating positive change, both for their own experience of learning and for those who come after them. This process can help identify important issues and how to address them, fostering a learning environment that has been co-created by the learners and staff.
If learners feel heard and respected, it is more likely that they will stay engaged.
We continue to offer training to ETBs and Learner Voice groups across the country. A central part of this is establishing and maintaining partnerships between AONTAS and ETBs.
If you work for or with an ETB and would like to learn more or get involved, 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.