Introduction of new Adult Education Strategy

NEW APPROACH TO LIFELONG LEARNING

It is true to say that “it is never too late to learn”, and with this in mind we have recently developed a new strategy on adult education within Blanchardstown Area Partnership.  This strategy brings together a number of separate strands within one overall theme of Lifelong Learning.  We aim to provide a wider range of possibilities for continuous learning within the community.

The European Commission in 2006 Adult Learning – It Is Never Too Late To Learn outlined the benefits of adult learning, with its potential for improved civic participation, better health and greater individual well-being and fulfilment.  All of which can bring significant improvements for individuals and for society as a whole.  In addition, there are also potentially improvements in employability and access to better paid employment. 

Adult learning is defined as all forms of learning undertaken by adults after having left initial education and training.  It can and does take place in a wide range of settings, apart from the traditional classroom.  In fact for people who had a negative experience of education the first time around, it is very beneficial to have settings which provide a supportive environment to those adults perhaps dipping their toes once again into the education pool.
 

LIFELONG LEARNING IN DILLON HOUSE

We believe that here in Dillon House we provide a supportive setting for men and women living in Dublin 15 to come together, learn and share their own life experiences.  Over the past five years a wide range of education and training has been on offer, including courses such as Future Options, for women returning to the workforce; Ready, Steady, Go for adults who wish to improve their English and join the workforce for the first time; Positive Tools for Life, motivation and personal development; Breaking the Mould, a course specially developed for men.

The titles of these courses emphasise the positive nature of adult learning, focused as it is on providing new skills and new experiences to adults who are seeking something more from life.  In addition, we also provide a range of courses such as enterprise training which focuses on business skills for individuals wishing to start their own business, and a number of IT and language courses for clients of the Local Employment Service. 

Partnership staff who are involved in delivering these courses include Catherine Smyth (training co-ordinator), Niall Comber and Martin Kavanagh (enterprise department), Mary Tighe (guidance counsellor) and Paula Murray and Sandra Dignam (Employment Unit).   

Blanchardstown Area Partnership knows that it is more important than ever to provide as many people as possible with access to a range of education and training opportunities, not just to improve employment prospects, but to enhance everyone’s quality of life and ability to participate in the fast changing world in which we live.