Community Education

What is Community Education?

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 this scheme is to assist community and voluntary groups to deliver a range of educational activities for disadvantaged adults within their community. For example:

Programmes that strengthen and increase the skills and knowledge of groups active in community and voluntary organisations leading to greater community involvement and participation.
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.
Programmes which help address social problems such as isolation.

There are currently a wide variety of courses that are run throughout County 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.

Community Groups


Cootehill Art Society

IWA

Active Virginians

Class in Kingscourt

Co. Cavan VEC Community Education Service delivers courses for community groups around the county. The group members decide what they would like to have delivered in their local community centre and arrange a suitable day and time to commence. These courses are normally uncertified and last between six and ten weeks.

For information on courses organised for community groups you can contact the community group directly. Click here for contact information.

West Cavan Outreach I.T. Project

The Community Education Service delivers certified I.T. courses in several towns throughout West Cavan. The following courses are offered in Dowra, Blacklion, Bawnboy, Ballyconnell and Belturbet:

Introduction to I.T.
Intermediate I.T. (FETAC Level 3)
Internet and eMail
ECDL
Advanced ECDL

To register for any of the above courses click here.

Video-Conferencing Project

The Community Education Service delivers FETAC Level 5 Healthcare Support and Childcare courses in Kingscourt and Bawnboy through the medium of video conferencing technology. These courses are offered on a part time basis over two years. There are eight modules of study which are delivered one night a week for three hours.

To register for a Healthcare Support or Childcare course click here.

Equality for Women Measure Project

Funding has recently been made available through the National Women’s Strategy 2007-2016 for positive actions to promote gender equality in the Equality for Women Measure. The vision of this strategy is an Ireland where all women enjoy equality with men and can achieve their full potential. The aim is therefore to advance the role of women in the Irish economy and in decision making at all levels. While there are four strands to this project Co. Cavan VEC have received funding for Strand 1 - Access, to Employment which aims “to provide women who are currently outside the labour market with the social skills, and/or education, and/or training to enable them to enter or return to the labour market.”

Over the coming months Co. Cavan VEC plan to offer women the opportunity to avail of education and career guidance in a course entitled “Mapping my future”. Following on from this there will be a series of ‘Taster’ courses which are aimed at giving women a chance to ‘try out’ different career areas. The following is a list of possible ‘Taster’ courses

Business/IT/Admin/Secretarial
Healthcare Support (caring for the older person)
Childcare
Catering and Hospitality
Beauty Therapy

If you are you are interested in returning to work and would like some assistance in the form of guidance and training we would like to hear from you. Click here to register your interest.

Community Groups

Bailieborough Women

Crosserlough ICA

Currently there is a vibrant network of community groups around Co. Cavan. Click here for a list of Community Groups actively engaging with Co. Cavan VEC Community Education Service.

Co. Cavan VEC Community Education Service offers assistance in the planning, development and management of new and existing community based learning groups. Particular supports provided include:

Assistance with establishing Education Programmes.
Developing and nurturing 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 or no charge.
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.

Funding: We can provide information on other sources of funding and help community education interests to access funding.
Networking: The Community Education Service endeavours to develop and encourage partnerships and links between other community education groups, statutory bodies and other providers.

If you are interested in developing education and training programmes suited to the learning needs of your group you can register here.

Community and voluntary groups can apply who are involved in provision of educational activities for the specified adult target group. The funding provided is to enable adults to avail of community education at minimal or no cost. 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.