Adult Education in Munster

Adult Education in Munster

The economic times may be as tough in Munster as anywhere else, but informed sources from across the province are reporting an increased interest in adult education.

’It’s definitely rising,’ says Aobhan Haverty, Adult Education Officer with Clare VEC. ‘We are seeing a lot of different candidates too. Many of them are well-qualified graduates looking to add on generic skills, such as IT ability, people skills, planning and problem-solving. All with an eye to securing employment.’

The same too goes for the newly unemployed according to Helen Rafferty, Community Education Officer in Waterford Adult Education Centre. ‘It’s a time for reflection for the newly unemployed,’ she explains. ‘We try to get people to explore their options and work out what skills they need to find employment.’

It’s not necessarily the ‘hard skills’ such as business or computer qualifications that are required by the newly unemployed, continues Rafferty. Losing your job is a huge blow to self-esteem, so it’s vital that lifelong learning provides the opportunity to rebuild confidence and relationships.

So just like their rugby team, it appears that the people of Munster are tackling their problems head-on.

Unfortunately, but understandably, that is not entirely the case with employers in the region. Anne Morris, Skillnets Manager with the Limerick Chamber of Commerce: ‘we always had good participation from companies in the Midwest – new companies were always willing to come to us. There is a huge difference now. Employers are being more cautious, looking for the right course to meet their specific needs and paying much more attention to the return on their investment in training.’

On the bright side, Morris has noticed how the recession has enabled employers to significantly reduce costs. ‘All the independent training providers are willing to cut prices,’ she affirms.

In addition, there are innovative solutions such as three or four companies sharing the same training course, or reducing money spent on outsourcing by providing employees with the skills to carry out specialised tasks (e.g. creating advertising in house using Adobe).

Aobhan Haverty is not sure whether adult education and training can play a decisive role in Munster’s economic recovery as she points out that there are currently few skills shortages and ‘just not many jobs out there’. But of lifelong learning’s ability to assist people on an individual level she is certain.

‘We can help people by improving their personal effectiveness and widening their potential employability,’ she says.

Adult learning is assisting the people of Munster as they respond to the recession in innovative ways.

’A lot of people are interested in “making their own job”,’ explains Haverty. ‘They might have started a small business, making furniture or interior design for instance, and they need the additional business skills such as how to deal with financial issues like taxation, accounts, etc.’

‘Many of our learners fit into the “portfolio lifestyle” category,’ she continues. ‘By which I mean people who have had to reduce their working hours because of the recession and are using this time as an opportunity to combine part time work with learning, hobbies and family commitments.’

Aobhan has key advice for course seekers: ‘If you’re looking to develop your career, make sure the course is run by a well-recognised provider, speak to someone in adult guidance, and choose a course that will carry real weight in your career.’

All in all, lifelong learning is helping the people of Munster to remain active and crucially, productive during these economically fallow times.