Website to help adults discover education options

John Barry

Aontas, the national adult learning organisation recently launched a new website for the One Step Up Information and Referral Service which helps adults in Cork and throughout Ireland discover more about the education and training options available to them.

The new One Step Up website was launched during the week of the Leaving Certificate results. Congratulating the adult learners, Aontas Chairperson Tara Farrell said: “It is important to acknowledge that many adult learners are amongst the cohort of students who are receiving their Leaving Certificate results this week. In Ireland, 445,000 people aged 25 to 64 have never completed upper secondary-level education – the Leaving Cert can act as a stepping-stone for early school leavers to achieve their educational goals.”

The service comprises a free-phone number 1800-303669, an information booklet and the new website, onestepup.ie. The website features information on courses, funding supports, a calendar of educational information events, and videos from adult learners sharing their experience of returning to learning.

CEO of Aontas Niamh O’Reilly highlighted the alternatives to the Leaving Certificate available to adults wishing to return to learning. Ms O’Reilly said: “In adult education it’s not a case of one size fits all and there are a wide range of courses available from basic education, skills training, access and higher education and personal development programmes. Returning to education has a positive impact on individuals, families, and communities across the country and I would encourage anyone curious about the options available to visit onestepup.ie and get started on their learning journey.”

One Step Up is part of the Increasing Pathways, Increasing Participation project 2017-2019 and is funded with the support of the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union and co-financed by the Department of Education and Skills through SOLAS, the further education and training authority.