Today (16 Dec) saw the release of a report from the Wales Centre for Public Policy which reviews lifelong learning provision. The report is structured around key areas of lifelong learning: the context in which it takes place; lifelong learning in visions and strategies; rights and entitlements to lifelong learning; the need to strike the...
Following on from the research paper A Higher Skills Ambition for NI, which Open College Network NI (OCN NI) commissioned back in Jan 2021, a further research report, again commissioned by OCN NI in collaboration with the Learning & Work Institute (L&W), was published on Monday 13th December. The new research report entitled: Working Together-How learning and skills support can...
This week the Learning & Work Institute launched its latest annual survey into adult participation in the UK. When looking at the results we have to bear in mind still the impact of Covid19 and how it has changed working and learning contexts for so many. Some of the difference may also be due to...
Belfast has been honoured with a UNESCO Learning City Award for 2021 in recognition for its work promoting lifelong learning across the city. This award acknowledges the vast spectrum of work that is underway in our schools, colleges, and universities as well as in our community organisations and our social spaces. Lord Mayor of Belfast...
In 2019 the Lord Mayors of Belfast, Cork, Dublin and the Mayors of Limerick and Derry City and Strabane Region signed a formal agreement to commit each city to work together and provide mutual support to help deliver on the vision of a learning city for all citizens. All five cities are part of the...
OPEN COLLEGE NETWORK (OCN) is NI’s leading vocational and technical awarding body, that advances education by developing and awarding qualifications for adults and young people throughout Northern Ireland (NI). Working in collaboration with NI’s six Further Education Colleges, schools, community and voluntary organisations, and other training providers, OCN has awarded over 27,000 vocational and technical...
FALNI will be making a response to this critical consultation and hopes that as many of you will make a response as well, particularly to highlight issues around lifelong/adult learning. Below are a number of points that we shall be making and it would be great if you could incorporate some of these into your...
On 30th June AONTAS launched its inaugural CEN Census report, which in addition to providing the first ever comprehensive research into community education provision in Ireland, also focused on the impact Covid has had on providers and learners. The research aimed to uncover who engages in community education, what courses are provided, how it is...
FALNI was delighted to learn that Adrianne Brown, a regular attendee at Forum events, is the newly elected Chair of North Down and Ards U3A. When interviewed by the County Down Spectator Adrianne said: One of the first things I will be doing with the Forum for Adult Learning Northern Ireland is to ensure lifelong...
Today the Dept for the Economy held a short consultation webinar on the new Skills Strategy. There were presentations from Graeme Wilkinson (DfE) on the strategy itself and Deirdre Wood (DfC) on Labour Market Partnerships, followed by a short Q&A session. The presentations can be found below, but two short quotes from each presenter are...
