CORK LEARNING CITY
was established in 2020 by Cork Learning City partners. Chaired by Dr. Barry O’Connor (former President CIT), with representation from Cork Education & Training Board (Cork ETB), Munster Technological University (MTU), University College Cork (UCC) and Cork City Council, with industry partners – Cork Chamber, J+J and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions - One Movement. The network’s Aim is to provide an outcomes focused approach which will increase Educational Opportunity and Access in the Cork Region through: CAN works collaboratively to tackle Educational Disadvantage in Cork City and region through an open partnership that takes a strengths-based approach
• Mapping the range of partners and providing accessible information on each partner’s services. • Creating solidarity between partners in all settings. • Allowing links to emerge between a range of partners who are committed to tacking Educational Disadvantage.
• Creating an Open Forum of Equal partners that will meet 4 times yearly. • Creating a platform where initiatives tackling educational disadvantage across the life cycle can be shared. • Identifying issues that perpetuate barriers to Access and Progression that can be tackled by partners working together. • Establishing cross sectoral sub-groups that can progress responses to identified issues.
Recent Progress: CAN ACCESS FORUM hosted by Cork Learning City partners in City Hall with Guest speakers from the USA The Lord Mayor hosted Cork Learning City partners in the Cork Access Network (CAN) with visiting academics from the USA following a workshop on ‘UNJUST DESIGN IN OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM’ in Council Chamber, Cork City Hall on 23rd June, 2023. The Workshop featured presentations by a strong range of Cork examples of tackling educational disadvantage in the Irish context including projects that focus on: • Prisoners and families - Cork Prison Education Unit and Dillons Cross Project CETB • Travellers in Education – Leanne McDonagh and Breda Hogan (MTU & UCC Access Offices) • Prevention of Early School Leaving through the TUSLA School Completion Programme – Ingrid O’Riordan (Le Chéile SCP) • An Alternative for Early School Leavers through the Youthreach Programme – Des Cullinane (Cork City Learning Support Service) • New Tertiary Education Initiative - Further and Higher Education Links Schemes – Gobnait Burke & Kathy Bradley (CETB) The audience were addressed by Guest Speakers Dr Drew Koch CEO and Dr Sara Stein Koch of the Gardner Institute for Student Success in the USA, who outlined their work to support the success of under-represented groups in Higher Education in the USA.
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CORK LIFELONG LEARNING FESTIVAL WED 10TH - WED 17TH APRIL
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