Latest Event Updates
The LCETB FET Strategic Framework 2015-2020 is finally here!
Please find attached the final LCETB Further Education and Training Strategic Framework 2015-2020. The official launch of the Strategy has been postponed until September 2015, as further branding work is currently being considered. In the meantime, we are circulating the Strategy internally in a PDF format (please see attached), so that it can inform the local programme planning discussions.
However, please be aware that this document should not be circulated externally, until the official launch has taken place.
The design for the Strategy was prepared by Twenty Twenty Graphic Designers. They have used the structure of an underground transport system to illustrate the Strategic Framework. 
Within the system there are stations/stops where the learner can transfer, arrive/ depart or continue learning.
LCETB is a hub, so for the cover they have used the interchange station to depict the title of the document. 
The interchange station is a hub or transfer station for more than one route, allowing learners to change from one route to another.
They have structured the document as a folded piece (the printed version). Once it’s opened up, much like a map, you will clearly see the 4 key Strategic Priorities. 
This is the key information and is the stakeholders’ map for the future. This document is about connectivity – the learner is connected to FET through LCETB. The FET Service of LCETB is in turn connected to the community and employers by providing routes to learners.
We would like to thank you for all your contributions and inputs into this Strategy. It should provide us all with a strong direction for the development of the LCETB FET Service in the next 5 years, for the benefit of our current and future learners in Limerick and Clare.
Design May15 – LCFET Strategic Framework
FARR Data entry complete
The period for data entry for planned provision in 2015 into the new FARR database closed on 30th March. Thanks to all across LCETB who completed their Data entry in February in advance of the initial deadline for local data entry.
FARR is the new SOLAS web application used to capture quantitative data relating to programmes and courses. It is used as part of the Funding Allocations Request process (estimated data) and also to report with 3 reporting periods each calendar/fiscal year as follow
| Reporting Period | January to May | June to September | October to December |
| Report submitted | June | October | January |
For full details of the FARR process please see below presentation from Clare Wynne of the Stakeholder Engagement Unit in SOLAS
Limerick Education Centre announced as the Apple Regional Training Centre.
Exciting news, the Limerick Education Centre has been announced as the Apple Regional Training Centre in the Mid-West Region. Since March 2015 the Centre has been offering a range of courses and workshops for local teachers and education staff, all free.These will be focused on enhancing and transforming Teaching and Learning with Apple Technology including, iPad, Macbook and iMac and will be relevant to all teachers. You can find a list of courses here
Level 1-3 Award Review
LCETB are delighted to have 6 staff selected to participate in the Level 1-3 Award review. Over the coming months different teams will work to review and redesign the awards. There will possibly be opportunities for wider consultation as part of the process. The following are the staff who are participating in the review- Ana Marques and Moira Greene in Clare Adult Education Service and Gerard O’Flynn, John Malone, John Moore and Pat Beasley in Raheen Training Centre. We would like to wish them the best with this important piece of work.
FEEDBACK FROM STAFF CONSULTATIONS
The feedback from the Staff consultations has been collated. Thanks to all of you who contributed!
You provided a huge amount of data, which we tried to categorise to ensure we can maximise its use going forward. Please find attached:
- A summary of the feedback specifically related to the Strategic Framework as a document;
- A summary of the feedback from our community partners, which will also provide valuable information for operational community education planning.
- A summary of the rest of the feedback categorised under key thematic priorities: QUALITY TEACHING & LEARNING (i.e CPD, resources, curriculum planning & assessment); ACCESS & PROGRESSION (i.e. Guidance, learners supports, recruitment, information; promotion/marketing & progression), ICT, EMPLOYER ENGAGEMENT.
An Editing Team has now been set up with a Rep from the Training Centers (Breda Flynn), the Part-time Programmes (Mary Flannery), the Full time programmes (Eimear Brophy) and the PLC Sector (Hillary McCann). They will redraft the document to ensure it better reflects the views from the consultation, and the whole planning process.
Keep Posted for further developments, we hope to launch the Strategy after Easter! Thanks again for all your contributions!
Action Plan for Jobs 2015 Launched
The Government published the Action Plan for Jobs 2015, the next step in the multi-annual process aimed at delivering full employment by 2018.
The Plan is the fourth annual plan in a multi-year process which started in early 2012, and sets out in detail the 382 actions to be taken by 16 Government Departments and over 60 State Agencies during 2015 to support job-creation, with deadlines and lead responsibility assigned.
A central focus is on activation of the unemplyed. The focus of the Pathways to Work strategy this year is to ensure that the increase in employment generated by the actions under this Plan translates into a reduction in the number of people dependent on jobseeker payments and in particular those who are in long-term receipt of jobseeker payments. The objectives for 2015 are to roll-out the Employment and Youth Activation Charter, begin the new account management approach to employers, roll-out JobPath, continue to roll-out the Youth Guarantee initiatives, and introduce a Back to Work Family Dividend. The plan can be downloaded from http://www.djei.ie/publications/2015APJ.pdf
Learning Technology Update from BETT 2015
BETT , the biggest Learning Technology trade show in the world, takes place every January in the Excel Centre in London. I spent 2 days at the show last week, and the following is a summary of some of the technologies on show with particular relevance to the FET sector. It is a non-exhastive summary list and I would strongly advice anyone with an interest in Learning Tecnologies to download the Bett Show App to find out about technologies specific to their area of interest.
In no particular order there follows my summary observations/recommendations – I may add to this list next week when I get a chance to review the rest of my ‘digital scribblings’
- 3d Printing and Scanning featured very prominently with Makerbot (the market leader) and Ultimaker (a slightly better value alternative) among those displaying their wares. SG education are Irish re-sellers for both Makerbot and Ultimakers and have sold to many educational institutions (and also a Makerbot to UTC Aerospace Systems in Shannon).
- Blippar (augemented reality) allows you to add digital content to any object – So you can scan an object with your phone or tablet and see all the content others created related to the object. You can create your own ‘Blipp’ adding content for others to see.
- For literacy once again this year a lot of the resources were targeted at children – the best in my view were the Clicker software/Apps from Crick Software (http://www.cricksoft.com/us/products/clicker/home.aspx).
- For Storytelling I liked Plotagon (free from the App Store) which I think could be used with adults.
- For managing a wireless network in the cloud I liked Meraki – still leading the way and very suitable for deployment of a BYOD solution.
- For attendance, access control and ID management I looked at IDextra, CIS Connect and VPASS (the really simple cheap alternative – approx. €23 per month).
- For Digital Signage/Displays I loved the simplicity and potential cost savings offered by a solution from ‘Monitors Anywhere‘ – A single PC to operate multiple monitor displays. It could be even be utilised with old/recycled monitors for a green cost-effective display solution.
- In my ‘Free Stuff’ category
- There were literally hundereds of stands focused on coding or coding related activities (mostly focused on the new primary curriculum in the UK) – I liked the approach of J2Code from Just2easy
- Cambridge Computing Online is an excellent free resource with courses on computer basics & programming
- A free resource in the MOOC space is FutureLearn from the Open University, showcasing a wide variety of courses with an impressive approach which utilises storytelling, discussion, visible learning and community support to support learning.
- For Science/Chemistry teachers the RSC have a range of brilliant resources at http://www.rsc.org/learn-chemistry
- True Tube https://www.truetube.co.uk provides access to free RE, PSHE and Citizenship resources (targeted at post-primary but may still be useful in FE).
- Finally for the ‘Wow factor’ Bird (described as the Mouse for the 21st Century) allows educators and presenters to move away from the screen/board while still maintaining full control of the lesson/presentation. It is a device worn on the teacher’s index finger, facilitating continuous interaction with projected digital content from any location in the classroom. It enables educators to seamlessly choose from a variety of interaction methods, including: touch, remote-touch, depth sensing, hover, gestures, mouse functionality or a red Laser pointer
LCETB FET Service Strategic Framework – REMINDER Staff Consultation deadline
REMINDER!
You have until Monday 26th January 2015 to ensure your voice is heard !
To send us your feedback, could you please:
- Fill in the survey monkey using this link – https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NHY8YF6
Many thanks.
2015 Limerick Lifelong Learning Festival – 23-29th March 2015
The fifth Limerick Lifelong Learning Festival will run from Monday 23rd to Sunday 29th March 2015. It is a celebration of Learning across the region, which promotes and celebrates learning in all its forms and for all ages, and provides a tremendous opportunity to promote Limerick City and County as a Region of Learning. In 2014, the Festival featured over 200 events and activities – all of which were free and open to all.
We are looking for new learning events that will happen between the 23rd and 29th March 2015 in LCETB and our Community Partners. They might be new ideas as well as events you are already planning around those dates, and that could dovetail with the Festival, by being included in the very popular Festival Brochure and PR machine!
Examples of events include performances, debates, taster sessions, tours, displays, demonstrations and workshops. They can take place right across Limerick in a variety of indoor and outdoor venues; classrooms; shopping centres, libraries, museums, resource and community centres, parks, sports grounds as well as on the street. Events should be free, creative, and open to all!
The ‘Limerick Learning Region Steering Group’ is overseeing the organisation of the 2015 Festival. If you have ideas and for more information, please contact Yvonne Lane Lifelong learning Facilitator @ ylane@Paulpartnership.ie ASAP!
Plans for ETB Wide Moodle
Planning has commenced to make the Online Learning platform Moodle available as a resource to teachers across the LCETB FET Sector. It is envisaged that the flexible, open source learning platform will be available to teachers in the coming months following an initial meeting of a ‘Moodle Champions’ group on 13th January.
The group consisting of represntatives across LCETB shared experiences of the use of Moodle across Adult and Further Education and Training. Among the priorities identified were
- CPD for staff together with Certified Moodle Training for Moodle Admins
- Developing ETB wide Policies
- Migration to Moodle 2.7 on existing sites
- Piloting project/s in the use of ePortfoliios
- Exploring LCETB wide Procurement and licensing of quality content/resources/videos etc.
- Tailoring Moodle to meet the needs of e-Assessment including training for QQI External Examiners
The second meeting of the group will take place in February.
FET Talk 