The key objective and goal for this project was to give teachers, managers and advisors the opportunity to further develop their knowledge and skills related to Adult Education. Through European cooperation we wanted to provide teachers with new experiences and tools that would contribute to provide quality education for adult learners. Education and qualifications are a key to integration, and it is thus important that Adult Education is inclusive and flexible. The partners in this consortium wanted to look closer at how teachers can use language and culture as a resource in the classroom, other ways of structuring AE, different educational methods, especially regarding language learning, and how to find viable solutions for adults who need to combine upper secondary education with work and family life. In addition to strengthen competences and knowledge in the partner organisations, it was also an objective to get inspiration on how the partners could develop and strengthen their networks and collaboration with local businesses and work life.
Note: As a result of a regional reform in Norway during this project period (2020), Hordaland County has now merged with Sogn and Fjordane County and have become Vestland County. As a result of the reform the five Adult Learning Centres that is referred to in the application no longer exists, but its function is now located at various upper secondary schools. Vestland County Council is responsible for providing formal upper secondary education for adults. Some of the challenges in our region was related to a high number of adults, in the age gap between 20 and 49 years of age, that only had primary school as their highest educational level, and that almost 40 per cent of the participants in adult education had a minority language as their native language. Adult education (AE) is complex and has many variables and requires constant development and flexible solutions. Lifelong learning and exchange of experiences and practices across national boarders become a necessity. Vestland County created this consortium to provide opportunities for AE educators to gain important insight and valuable experiences from fellow European educators who have succeeded in specific areas of AE.