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& Further Education - Cavan VEC Community Education Service |
What is Community Education?
The Department of Education and Science states that Community Education refers to adult education and learning, generally outside the formal education sector, with the aim of enhancing learning, empowerment and contributing to civic society. The purpose of the Community Education scheme is to assist community and voluntary groups to deliver a range of educational activities for disadvantaged adults within their community. For example:
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Programmes that strengthen and increase the skills and knowledge of groups active in community and voluntary organisations leading to greater community involvement and participation;
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Programmes which support education and learning for community based women and men's groups, Travellers and other ethnic minorities, people with disabilities and older people.
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Courses which develop parenting skills and improve family life;
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Programmes which help address social problems such as isolation;
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Initiatives, which help those living in poverty to have more equal access to education.
There are currently a wide variety of courses that are running throughout Co. Cavan under Community Education. The vast majority of these are run through local community groups and are created in order to address specific education and training needs. |
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Resources and Expertise Available
Assistance in the planning, development and management of new and existing community based learning groups. Particular supports provided include:
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Assistance with establishing Education Programmes: The Community Education Facilitator provides assistance and support to new or existing community education groups. This includes the development and nurturing of new community-based educational initiatives through advice on courses, advice on accreditation, access to qualified tutors, help with resources and direct provision of classes where possible at a minimal charge.
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Course Development: Assistance is also available for community education groups to develop their own educational programmes and courses. This back up may include technical, administrative or educational input.
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Funding: There is a small fund for groups to run community education projects. Some of this money is given in the form of grant aid, more of it through direct provision of classes. In addition, the Community Education Facilitator provides information on other sources of funding and helps community education interests to access funding.
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Back To Education Initiative: The Community Education Service offers assistance to groups to apply directly for funding, or we can apply on your behalf and organise delivery of courses in your local area. These courses are all accredited by FETAC. We currently we have ECDL courses funded by BTEI running in Belturbet and Bawnboy.
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Support Services: The VEC have a database available for groups which includes information on tutors; possible learning initiatives; developments in community education and up-to-date grant aid available for groups.
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Networking: The Community Education Service hopes to develop and encourage partnerships and links between community education groups and statutory bodies and other providers.
Who Can Apply:
Community and voluntary groups can apply who are involved in provision of educational activities for the specified adult target group. The grants provided are to enable disadvantaged adults to avail of community education at minimal or no cost. Therefore priority will be given to groups in disadvantaged areas, projects aimed at specially disadvantaged groups, educational activities that lead to progression of the individual and the group and also education that has national accreditation. Activities exclusively involving children and school going teenagers are ineligible under this scheme.
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If you are interested in developing education and training programmes suited to the learning needs of your group please contact:
Gemma Brady
Community Education Facilitator
Co. Cavan VEC Adult Education Service
2nd Floor, Unit 12
Church View Sq
Cavan Town
Ph: 049 4377562
Email: cef@cavanvec.ie |
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