The Minister for Training and Skills, Ciarán Cannon TD, today launched the Adult Education Officers’ Association (AEOA) Strategic Framework 2011-2016 at Kilashee House, Naas, Co Kildare.
The Framework “Contributing to the National Adult Education & Skills Agenda” sets out the policies that the association will follow over the next five years to enhance its members’ performance and that of the adult education sector.
Speaking at the launch, Minister Cannon paid tribute to the AEOA and its members.
"Over the last two months I have been learning about the various structures, levels and sheer scale of the adult and further education sector and it is clear to me that adult education officers (AEO) have a central role to play in the provision of adult education services.
"Adult Education Officers have been to the forefront in the development of the sector in Ireland for over thirty years and the service has come a long way in such a short period of time.
"Currently there are over 130,000 adult learners availing of part-time education and well over 40,000 availing of fulltime places mostly within the VEC sector.
"I commend you for your hard work and professionalism - you are certainly making a difference to the lives of many people," said the Minister.
He also spoke of the difficult financial challenges currently faced by the country.
Minister Cannon said: "The key challenge for us all is to achieve more with less resources.
"To do this we must work more closely together, using the knowledge and experience of the various stakeholders in education and training to implement the best policies and approach.
"This is accepted at Government and Department level and I am delighted to see the three thematic pillars that your strategic framework is based on focuses on these key areas," said Minister Cannon.
Last week's Jobs Initiative announced an additional 3,000 Back to Education Initiative places and 1,000 Post Leaving Certificate places that will be made available from next September.
These places will be prioritised for the unemployed and the Department of Education and Skills is currently engaged in an application process for these additional places.