The Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI) held the ETBI Further Education and Training Conference (FET) in Kildare, Ireland on 6th and 7th March 2018. The conference presented an engaging mix of practitioners, employers, speakers from state agencies such as SOLAS the Further Education and Training Authority and national bodies like AONTAS -  Irelands’ National Adult Learning Organisation and the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA). Plenary sessions included a focus on the future of work, the SOLAS Further Education and Training strategy, ‘Resilience and Well Being for the Change Agent’ presented by Dr. Stephen O’Neill, psychologist with the City of Dublin Education and Training Board (CDETB) and presentations on the SOLAS strategy on continuing professional development, apprenticeship and training, and commissioned research on English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and literacy and numeracy. 

Ms. Niamh O’Reilly, AONTAS, Nikki Gallagher, SOLAS, Clare McNally and Olive Phelan, NALA; Crona Gallagher, DETB and Nuala Glanton, Adult Education Organisers Association delivered a particularly relevant and important workshop on ‘Developing a Learner Charter – Benefiting from the Learner Voice’. In this workshop, presenters explored the value and necessity of capturing learner feedback and experience of the services and courses provided by the Education and Training Boards nationwide. Niamh O’Reilly showcased the feedback and evidence from learners over the last two years through the Learner Forum, organised and facilitated by AONTAS on an annual basis since February 2016.  AONTAS works directly with ETBs to identify learners to participate in the forum. AONTAS analyses and reports on learners needs by: FET Strategy Goals; Region; FET Programme; and Phases of FET Engagement. A list of learner recommendations are then presented to SOLAS and participating ETBs to be incorporated into policy planning. Learners react positively to participating in the event and appreciate the opportunity to feedback their experience and observations as well as meet and learn from other learners about their experiences in FET. One learner reflected: ‘I feel like I am being heard. I believe my issues will be taken to the highest level’ If you work in an ETB and would like to host a regional event please contact Leah Dowdall, AONTAS Learner Advocacy Officer at ldowdall@aontas.com and Tel: 01 406 8220.