Under this project, we had 4 key aims - we wanted to achieve further development, enhancement and integration of the provision of key competencies for Lifelong Learning (language, literacy, numeracy and digital skills across MSLETB's provision. We extended this to include sustainability/green competencies as well over the project. We also aimed to further develop and enhance our Active Inclusion and Inclusion of Learners with Disabilities strategies across MSLETB and to develop and enhance our Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) strategies across MSLETB. Finally, we wanted to capture and develop strategies for capturing the wider benefits of learning all Adult Education provisions in MSLETB. We aimed to achieve this by facilitating staff to attend relevant training courses in key areas to support the attainment of these aims. We aimed to have 24 staff participate in structured courses throughout this project.
In October 2019, when we made an application for this project we had just completed a staff professional development (PD) survey across all our staff in our organisation. It identified PD needs in the TEL, subject-specific development, leadership and management, special education needs and disability, quality assurance (QA) and well-being. These areas were further supported in the FET National Strategy 2016-2019, National PD Strategy 2016-2019 and MSLETB's Strategic Performance Agreement 2018-2020 with SOLAS (National FET Authority). The opportunity to make an application to support the attainment of these through an Adult Education Erasmus Project was a perfect fit and perfect timing then. At that time we did not comprehend that there would be a global pandemic from early 2020, which affected the execution of this project.