The Recognition of Prior Learning Provision initiative, run by Milford Further Education and Training Centre at Donegal ETB, won the Excellence in Further Education and Training Award at the inaugural ETB Excellence Awards on Thursday, 2nd March.
The awards were run by Education and Training Boards Ireland as it celebrated 10 years of Education and Training Boards (ETBs) in Ireland.
Recognition of Prior Learning Provision provides a supportive process that opens up learning and employment pathways for everyone. It promotes integration and diversity by reaching out to those in employment that have missed out on academic opportunities, to ensure they can receive qualifications in line with their experience.
The awards were presented at a special ceremony in Croke Park which also marked ‘ETB Day’. Hosted by RTÉ newsreader and former ETB student, Ray Kennedy, the event was attended by representatives from all 16 ETBs across the country.
Pictured at the inaugural ETB Excellence awards ceremony were Ray Kennedy, RTÉ News Anchor and former ETB learner; Aidan McCloskey, Adult Education Officer, Donegal ETB; Siobhan Murray Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Coordinator with Donegal ETB’s Further Education and Training (FET); who won the Excellence in Further Education and Training Award and Andrew Brownlee, CEO of SOLAS.
Congratulating the awardees, Paddy Lavelle, Chief Executive of ETBI said: “It gives me great pride to congratulate all the winners, and indeed runners-up on their success in the inaugural ETB Excellence Awards. We received over 500 entries from ETBs across the country to the Awards detailing the great people and initiatives that are ongoing in all corners of Ireland.
“The standard across all categories was extremely competitive, meaning we had a very difficult job in narrowing the entries down and select our winners. The work of all ETBs – not those just officially recognised at the awards – deserves to be commended. Their commitment and passion for education, for learning and for their communities play a vital role in ensuring that there are broad and varied options for people to engage with education and training across the country, no matter what stage of their learning journey they are at.
“This year is a milestone year for ETBs as we celebrate 10 years since their formation in Ireland. Over the past decade, ETBs have delivered learning and education opportunities for everyone – including primary and post primary schools, further education and training and youth services. ETBs have revolutionised Ireland’s education system, and I hope that we can continue to deliver innovative, diverse and flexible learning pathways over the next ten years, and beyond.”
ETB Hero Video
The official ETB Heroes video was also premiered at the awards ceremony, which features five ETB heroes – including famous faces and former ETB students Ray Kennedy, Tolü Makay and Máire Treasa Ní Dhubhghaill – matched with five current ETB learners, exploring what their ETB means to them and the impact it has on their life.
The video can be viewed here.