Ireland

Structure overview

- Basic overview of the way that the country's Adult Education system is organised, what kind of overall structure there is in place (if any), and which departments or organisations are part of this system.

The governmental structure of the provision of adult education in Ireland is firstly covered in part by the Department of Education and Science, which provides for some adult education programmes, such as:

• Post Leaving Certificate courses (Leaving Certificate being the standard formal education qualification usually attained between ages 16-19),
• The Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme for the unemployed,
• Adult literacy and community education; and,
• Senior Traveller Training Centre programmes for young and adult Travellers who have left school early (Traveller communities are semi-nomadic communities somewhat akin to Gypsy or Roma communities in other parts of Europe).

In addition to this the ‘Back to Education´ initiative (introduced in the 2002/3 school-year) provides for the increased number and flexibility of part time options across post compulsory formal education so that adults can return to learning whilst still meeting existing responsibilities such as work and family. As part of this initiative, there is a supporting financial system with the ‘Back to Education Allowance Scheme´, to support those financially less stable, such as the unemployed, single parents or people with disabilities undertaking approved second or third level courses . Until September of 2010 learners on this scheme were also entitled to maintenance grants, although this has been now withdrawn as part of the cuts made in response to the current economic situation (see ‘Policy and Politics´). [1]

Key Providers/Main institutions/Sources for Adult Education

Vocational Education Committees (VECs) provide the majority of Adult Education, including formal Further Education for adults, which is also provided through some secondary level schools. The courses offered often link to other sectors, such as employment, schools, youth and welfare work, and the voluntary sector. Programmes at this level can also be provided through other Government Departments through training agencies, such as FÁS, Fáilte Ireland and TEAGASC, and by community organisations. National certification is provided by the Further Education and Training Awards Council, and courses can be linked to the student gaining the Junior or Leaving Certificates (standard formal education qualifications, see ‘Policy and Politics´ for an overview). [2]

Each VEC employs an Adult Literacy Organiser (ALO) to organise Adult Basic Education support in their local area. This service aims to be free and confidential, where adults without basic literacy skills can take courses in an informal and relaxed environment either in groups or on a one to one basis. VECs also provide Post Leaving Certificate courses in a range of subjects. These courses are offered to school leavers and adults who wish to return to education and aim to prepare students for work by giving them specific skills and training and also act as a stepping-stone to other third level qualifications at universities or other colleges. The entry requirements for a mature student entering a further education course usually include either the standard Leaving Certificate (or an equivalent qualification), or experiential learning. [3]

The system of the adult and community education sector in Ireland has grown organically over the past forty years, with some major changes within the past ten years. Therefore, the sector contains a variety of personnel with an equal variety of skills and qualifications. Specific adult education qualifications are not required to work in the sector, although qualifications do range from informal training to accredited courses at third level including certificates, diplomas and masters awards in adult education. [4]

'Non-Formal´ Learning

- Evening Courses / Day Courses are available in a variety of subjects. There are many different providers of these courses, including secondary schools or community resources such as libraries. These courses offer a number of diverse learning opportunities for adults (from art classes to computers for beginners´ courses) and are concerned with offering opportunities to meet new people and learning for enjoyment as much as learning new skills.

- Community education groups are another local source of adult education, they are often self-managed, voluntary organisations who are supported by agencies and government departments for their education and social inclusion work. These groups are usually linked to communities (such as traveller groups or refugee groups), voluntary groups (such as for people with disabilities or the elderly) and local interest groups (such as local arts or women´s groups). [5]

Non-Governmental Organisations

- AONTAS, (the National Adult Learning Organisation), is a non-government membership organisation which aims to ensure that every adult in Ireland has access to appropriate and affordable learning opportunities throughout their lives, thus enabling them to contribute to and participate in the economic, social, civic and cultural development of Irish society.[6]

- AEGIS (Adult Education Guidance and Information Service) provides an educational guidance service for adults, which is about connecting adults with learning opportunities, especially related to adults who left schools early and wish to re-enter the formal education system. [7]

- NALA (National Adult Literacy Agency) is an independent charity which helps people with literacy and numeracy difficulties to fully take part in society and have access to learning opportunities that meet their needs.[8]

- The National Centre for Guidance in Education is an agency of the Irish Department of Education and Skills. Its main roles are to support and develop guidance practice in areas of education and to inform the policy of the Department in the field of guidance, including supporting teachers and guidance counsellors and practitioners in education, including those working in adult education. The Management Committee of the National Centre for Guidance in Education is appointed by the Minister of Education and Skills. [9]

Vocational Institutions and career-related training

- Workplace learning can be organised independently by employers, or can be provided externally by providers and delivered in the workplace, the classroom or by distance learning. This training is often organised through trade Unions, or is undertaken informally during the course of employment. [10]

- VECs. As outlined above, a major provider of adult and vocational education are the Vocational Education Committees (VECs). The Irish Vocational Education Association (IVEA) is the national representative association for Ireland's VECs and aims to promote vocational education and training, and support the VECs as a governing body. [11]

Universities

Foundation or access courses have been established in many third level institutions (university level) to prepare mature students for higher level study, especially if they have been out of education for some time. These courses are primarily focused on improving student´s skills, confidence and knowledge in order to progress into higher education on a level standing with younger students. Courses can be full or part time, usually over one year, and some courses are very specific to subject (for example in Engineering or Science) while others provide a general preparation for courses in Humanities and Social Sciences. [12]

e-learning

-In Ireland a number of providers are exploiting e-learning opportunities and they have developed, and continue to develop, distance learning strategies. For example, Oscail, the National Distance Education Centre has (since 1982), offered third level distance education to adults. It currently offers six programmes (three leading to Honours Bachelor Degrees and two leading to Masters Degrees which are accredited by Dublin City University). [13]

- The Open University is one of the biggest providers of Distance Education in the UK and Ireland. The Open University offers more than 360 undergraduate and post graduate courses in Arts, Modern Languages, Social Sciences, Health and Social Care, Science, Maths, Computing, Technology, Business and Management, Education and Law. The average time taken for a degree is six years and are run with various combinations of online and ‘face to face´ tutorials. [14]

- Oscail is the National Distance Education Centre of Ireland. It is based on the Dublin City University campus and offers an opportunity to receive an Irish university qualification, through Distance Learning. Oscail offers face-to-face tutorial support and support through email and telephone. No previous qualifications are required for undergraduate programmes for those over 23.

- FAS Net College provides a range of E-learning courses, aimed at employers, employees and unemployed people. These courses fall into the category of Business, Office Applications, Web Design / Programming, Technical Support Courses, Soft Skills / Personal Development Courses and Apprenticeships. The courses are delivered entirely over the Internet and participants have access to the courses for 6 months once they have registered with FAS Net. Many of the courses are certified by relevant bodies. [15]

References

[1] Department of Education and Skills, ‘About´ www.education.ie, accessed November 2010, AND. Bernadette Brady, Infonet Country Overview - Ireland, September 2010

[2] ibid

[3] AONTAS, ‘Information Booklet´ http://www.aontas.com/download/pdf/aontas_information_booklet.pdf, accessed November 2010

[4] Bernadette Brady, Infonet Country Overview - Ireland, September 2010

[5] AONTAS, ‘Information Booklet´ http://www.aontas.com/download/pdf/aontas_information_booklet.pdf, accessed November 2010

[6] Bernadette Maria Brady, Infonet Country Overview - Ireland, September 2010

[7] IVEA, ‘AEGIS´, http://www.ivea.ie/services/guidance/guidance.shtml, accessed November 2010

[8] Bernadette Maria Brady, Infonet Country Overview - Ireland, September 2010

[9] NCGE, ‘About´, www.ncge.ie

[10] AONTAS, ‘Workplace Learning´, www.aontas.com/information/howtogetinvolved/workplacelearni.html

[11] IVEA: www.ivea.ie

[12] AONTAS, ‘Information Booklet´ http://www.aontas.com/download/pdf/aontas_information_booklet.pdf, accessed November 2010

[13] National Qualifications Authority of Ireland, 2008, OECD Thematic Review on Recognition of non-formal and informal learning Country Background Report Ireland, http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/3/57/41679902.pdf

[14] Open University: www.open.ac.uk

[15] AONTAS, ‘Information Booklet´ http://www.aontas.com/download/pdf/aontas_information_booklet.pdf, accessed November 2010