1 March 2021
By Tom Collins
tom@TheCork.ie
Cork ETB are currently celebrating success on the double following the announcement that two of their adult education initiatives were shortlisted for the 2021 Aontas Adult Education Awards – with one group from North Cork delighted to take home the prestigious winners accolade.
Cork ETB’s North Cork Upholstery & Textile Design Classes were announced the winners in the Sustainable Development Through Education on Monday March 1st, while Kinsale College’s Green Campus initiative also got a nod as they were shortlisted in the same category.
The winners were announced this week during the Adult Learners’ Festival 2021, which is taking place this week until March 5th. Run by Aontas, the voice of adult learning in Ireland, the STAR Awards stand for Showcasing Teamwork, Awarding Recognition and their aim is to recognise and celebrate the work of adult-learning initiatives throughout Ireland.
Brendan Glynn, coordinator of the North Cork Upholstery & Textile Design Classes, also commented on how delighted they are to be receiving such an award: “I wish to congratulate all the learners across North Cork who are so proud of winning this award. Credit must also be given to tutors Sarah Geary and Noely Ward for delivering the programme with such passion and enthusiasm. It is a marvellous achievement by all and very much cherished during our time apart.”
Cork ETB’s upholstery design courses offer a very positive first step back into education for those who may be reluctant to take that important leap. They form part of a wide range of Adult Education Programmes on offer, from non-certified courses to QQI certified courses at levels 2, 3, 4 and 5. Both courses nominated for the Aontas awards this year are part-time and run by Cork ETB, with funding from the European Social Fund through the Community Education, Adult Literacy and BTEI Programmes.
Learners across North Cork who avail of these courses range from long-term unemployed, retired, those living with mental health issues and other disabilities, to members of the travelling community and the new Syrian community. The courses provide learners with practical skills through project-based experience, while also contributing to a more sustainable community by upcycling furniture that would otherwise end up in landfill.
Kinsale College’s Green Campus initiative also made waves as the latest in the school’s continuing bid to promote the importance of sustainability, biodiversity, and environmental awareness. Their most recent nomination has followed swiftly on from another significant achievement – scooping the An Taisce Green Campus award. The College has been at the cutting edge of environmental education for many years since they began hosting the world’s first full-time course in Permaculture back in 2001.
The Green Campus designation recognises the years of work carried out by staff and learners of all ages at the college, so their placement within the award category of Sustainable Development through Education is more than fitting.
“Environmental awareness permeates into every corner of our college, every course we run and every move we make; it is what we’ve been focusing on for the last 20 years,” said College Director Liz Moynihan. “It’s not just our Permaculture and Sustainable Horticulture students who learn about the environment – it’s everyone on campus; our students, our teachers and our admin staff. Even the exercise of preparing for our pitch to the judges has been a valuable learning experience for us. It has given us even greater awareness of the progress we have made and the possibilities that the future holds for an initiative as powerful as the Green Campus.”
Brendan Glynn, coordinator of the North Cork Upholstery & Textile Design Classes, also commented on how delighted they are to be receiving such an award: “I wish to congratulate all the learners across North Cork who are so proud of winning this award. Credit must also be given to tutors Sarah Geary and Noely Ward for delivering the programme with such passion and enthusiasm. It is a marvellous achievement by all and very much cherished during our time apart.”
For more on Cork Education and Training Board see www.corketb.ie, or CorkETB on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
