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May 12, 2026
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Meet the Adult Learner Candidates for the AONTAS Board
At the AONTAS AGM on Wednesday, 3 June 2026, members will vote to fill two vacancies in the Adult Learner category on the AONTAS Board.
Learner Voice is at the heart of AONTAS. Adult learners bring essential lived experience, insight and leadership to our governance, helping to ensure that policy, advocacy and strategic decisions are informed by the realities of learners across Ireland.
Adult learner representatives play a vital role in connecting the experiences of learners in communities, colleges and education settings to the work of the AONTAS Board. They help ensure that learners’ voices continue to shape our mission to advocate for an inclusive and equitable lifelong learning system.
This year, four adult learners have been nominated for the two available positions: Chidiogo Blessing Ebeledike, Finbarr Savage, Alan Anthony Quinn and Paula O’Shea.
*Candidate biographies are presented below in alphabetical order by first name.*
Alan Anthony Quinn
Alan Anthony Quinn is currently studying Photography and Horticulture with Tipperary ETB.
He returned to education at the age of 55, motivated by a desire to improve his health and mental wellbeing. Having lived with chronic heart disease and depression, Alan Anthony describes adult learning as a turning point that gave him renewed direction, connection and purpose.
Since returning to learning, he has completed a wide range of courses, beginning with QQI Level 4 Woodworking and progressing to Level 5 programmes. He values the practical skills he has gained, from capturing important family occasions through photography to applying horticulture skills in his own garden.
Alan Anthony has been a dedicated champion of Learner Voice. He has served as Chairperson of the FET Student Council in Tipperary for the past four years and represents learners on the Public Participation Network, the Transport Coordination Unit, the FET Committee and the External Wellbeing Advisory Group.
Chidiogo Blessing Ebeledike
Chidiogo Blessing Ebeledike is seeking re-election to the AONTAS Board, having been co-opted in July 2025.
Blessing is currently studying QQI Level 5 Culinary Arts at Drogheda Institute of Further Education. Prior to this, she completed a QQI Level 4 qualification in Employment Skills, where she developed skills in communication, customer service and teamwork.
Blessing has extensive experience in learner representation. She served for two years on the FET Student Council at Tipperary ETB, where she worked to ensure Learner Voice were heard and represented at local and national levels. She has advocated on behalf of learners at Leinster House, participated in the AONTAS Summit and contributed to Learner Voice forums focused on improving the learner experience.
As an active member of AONTAS, Blessing has attended the AGM, shared her Learner Story and currently serves as a student representative on the AONTAS Board. She is passionate about creating inclusive, supportive learning environments and promoting equal opportunities in education.
Finbarr Savage
Finbarr Savage is an adult learner and proud individual member of AONTAS with a deeply personal understanding of the transformative power of education.
After overcoming significant personal challenges, including addiction, Finbarr began his learning journey by completing a QQI Level 5 major award in Community Development through the Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed (INOU). What began as a step towards recovery became a pathway to renewed confidence, purpose and active participation in his community.
Finbarr is now studying for a degree in Community Development and Youth Work at TU Dublin Blanchardstown. He is passionate about supporting individuals and communities to realise their potential, particularly those who may feel excluded from traditional education systems.
Drawing on lived experience, resilience and a strong commitment to social inclusion, Finbarr hopes to advocate for learners, contribute to meaningful change and support lifelong learning opportunities for all.
He has also contributed to national AONTAS events, including the 2023 Summit and the National Learner Forum in Tipperary. Alan Anthony is committed to working collaboratively to ensure learners’ experiences inform decision-making and policy development.
Paula O’Shea
Paula O’Shea is a former nurse who returned to learning through community education after acquiring a disability following a long period of illness.
With a background in community development and fundraising, Paula has volunteered throughout her life and served on numerous development committees. She is a founding member of Cork ETB’s Learner Voice and has played an active role in its growth over the past five years.
Paula is a trained advocate and facilitator who works to amplify the voices of learners who are often unheard or underrepresented, particularly those facing additional barriers. Through her involvement in Irish Wheelchair Association art and drama groups, she has seen first-hand the confidence and growth that can emerge when learners are supported to express themselves and be heard.
Paula currently chairs Cork Disabled Person’s Organisation and serves as the learner representative on the National Forum Advisory Committee. She has facilitated many learner forums for AONTAS and hopes to continue acting as a vital link between learners’ lived experiences and the strategic work of the AONTAS Board.
Voting at the AGM
Voting at this year’s AGM will take place in person only, and only paid-up members for 2026 will be eligible to vote. If you’re unsure about your membership status, feel free to get in touch with the AONTAS team, we’re always happy to help!
We encourage all members to review the candidate information and participate in this important aspect of AONTAS governance. Your vote helps shape the leadership of the organisation and supports work on your behalf.
Register to attend the AGM
Places are limited, so we encourage you to register early to secure your place at the AGM on 3rd June 2026.
You can register here!
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Written by
Published on
May 12, 2026
Share This
Meet the Adult Learner Candidates for the AONTAS Board
At the AONTAS AGM on Wednesday, 3 June 2026, members will vote to fill two vacancies in the Adult Learner category on the AONTAS Board.
Learner Voice is at the heart of AONTAS. Adult learners bring essential lived experience, insight and leadership to our governance, helping to ensure that policy, advocacy and strategic decisions are informed by the realities of learners across Ireland.
Adult learner representatives play a vital role in connecting the experiences of learners in communities, colleges and education settings to the work of the AONTAS Board. They help ensure that learners’ voices continue to shape our mission to advocate for an inclusive and equitable lifelong learning system.
This year, four adult learners have been nominated for the two available positions: Chidiogo Blessing Ebeledike, Finbarr Savage, Alan Anthony Quinn and Paula O’Shea.
*Candidate biographies are presented below in alphabetical order by first name.*
Alan Anthony Quinn
Alan Anthony Quinn is currently studying Photography and Horticulture with Tipperary ETB.
He returned to education at the age of 55, motivated by a desire to improve his health and mental wellbeing. Having lived with chronic heart disease and depression, Alan Anthony describes adult learning as a turning point that gave him renewed direction, connection and purpose.
Since returning to learning, he has completed a wide range of courses, beginning with QQI Level 4 Woodworking and progressing to Level 5 programmes. He values the practical skills he has gained, from capturing important family occasions through photography to applying horticulture skills in his own garden.
Alan Anthony has been a dedicated champion of Learner Voice. He has served as Chairperson of the FET Student Council in Tipperary for the past four years and represents learners on the Public Participation Network, the Transport Coordination Unit, the FET Committee and the External Wellbeing Advisory Group.
Chidiogo Blessing Ebeledike
Chidiogo Blessing Ebeledike is seeking re-election to the AONTAS Board, having been co-opted in July 2025.
Blessing is currently studying QQI Level 5 Culinary Arts at Drogheda Institute of Further Education. Prior to this, she completed a QQI Level 4 qualification in Employment Skills, where she developed skills in communication, customer service and teamwork.
Blessing has extensive experience in learner representation. She served for two years on the FET Student Council at Tipperary ETB, where she worked to ensure Learner Voice were heard and represented at local and national levels. She has advocated on behalf of learners at Leinster House, participated in the AONTAS Summit and contributed to Learner Voice forums focused on improving the learner experience.
As an active member of AONTAS, Blessing has attended the AGM, shared her Learner Story and currently serves as a student representative on the AONTAS Board. She is passionate about creating inclusive, supportive learning environments and promoting equal opportunities in education.
Finbarr Savage
Finbarr Savage is an adult learner and proud individual member of AONTAS with a deeply personal understanding of the transformative power of education.
After overcoming significant personal challenges, including addiction, Finbarr began his learning journey by completing a QQI Level 5 major award in Community Development through the Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed (INOU). What began as a step towards recovery became a pathway to renewed confidence, purpose and active participation in his community.
Finbarr is now studying for a degree in Community Development and Youth Work at TU Dublin Blanchardstown. He is passionate about supporting individuals and communities to realise their potential, particularly those who may feel excluded from traditional education systems.
Drawing on lived experience, resilience and a strong commitment to social inclusion, Finbarr hopes to advocate for learners, contribute to meaningful change and support lifelong learning opportunities for all.
He has also contributed to national AONTAS events, including the 2023 Summit and the National Learner Forum in Tipperary. Alan Anthony is committed to working collaboratively to ensure learners’ experiences inform decision-making and policy development.
Paula O’Shea
Paula O’Shea is a former nurse who returned to learning through community education after acquiring a disability following a long period of illness.
With a background in community development and fundraising, Paula has volunteered throughout her life and served on numerous development committees. She is a founding member of Cork ETB’s Learner Voice and has played an active role in its growth over the past five years.
Paula is a trained advocate and facilitator who works to amplify the voices of learners who are often unheard or underrepresented, particularly those facing additional barriers. Through her involvement in Irish Wheelchair Association art and drama groups, she has seen first-hand the confidence and growth that can emerge when learners are supported to express themselves and be heard.
Paula currently chairs Cork Disabled Person’s Organisation and serves as the learner representative on the National Forum Advisory Committee. She has facilitated many learner forums for AONTAS and hopes to continue acting as a vital link between learners’ lived experiences and the strategic work of the AONTAS Board.
Voting at the AGM
Voting at this year’s AGM will take place in person only, and only paid-up members for 2026 will be eligible to vote. If you’re unsure about your membership status, feel free to get in touch with the AONTAS team, we’re always happy to help!
We encourage all members to review the candidate information and participate in this important aspect of AONTAS governance. Your vote helps shape the leadership of the organisation and supports work on your behalf.
Register to attend the AGM
Places are limited, so we encourage you to register early to secure your place at the AGM on 3rd June 2026.
You can register here!
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