Pictures: Over 100 learners gather to talk about their experience of learning with Kilkenny and Carlow ETB

Kilkenny and Carlow ETB’s Further Education and Training (FET) Service held its Learner Voice Forum in the Springhill Hotel recently, and it was a resounding success for the local education and training provider.

In attendance was over 100 learners from a range of education and training programmes across Carlow and Kilkenny. The learners gathered to talk about their experience of learning with Kilkenny and Carlow ETB (KCETB). The event highlighted the inclusiveness and diversity of KCETB’s FET provision.

The learners are studying a wide range of modules at different levels and in various locations across Kilkenny and Carlow. Some learners are currently engaged in full time and part-time education at NFQ levels 3 to 6, while other learners are attending part-time education programmes at levels 1 and 2, including return to learning courses and ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages).

Other cohorts are involved in informal education under the Community Education strand with KCETB.  The learner group discussions were facilitated by KCETB staff from different programmes who took on the role of facilitators for the event.  

Martha Bolger, Director of Further Education and Training formally launched the event and welcomed all our learners from across the range of FET programmes. Ms Bolger emphasised the importance of the learner voice in shaping  further education and training provision and supports, and in particular, the identification of areas for improvement. 

“It is of utmost importance to KCETB to hear about the learners’ experience. The forum provides us with a valuable insight into a range of topics to include feedback in relation to course experience, access and progression plans following completion of their studies with KCETB," Ms Bolger said.

Part of the learner event involved a panel discussion hosted by Seán Ó hArgáin. The panel comprised of past learners who had progressed from their FET courses with KCETB and are now in employment, self-employment and some have progressed onto third level education. They are living examples of the valuable pathways and progression routes available through KCETB FET’s courses.