1. Further Education/ Higher Education Progression Workshop discussion - NEFHEA conference Where to from here? Challenges and Opportunities for Further and Higher Education Dundalk Institute of Technology 20 May 2011 Muiris O’Connor Higher Education Authority

2. Overview

3. “If you don’t know your history, then you won’t know where you’re coming from” (Bob Marley)

4. Late start followed by rapid expansion Data source: Department of Education and Science (2007) Sé Sí, Indicator: 2.11b (p.34 and p.196)

5. Upper secondary attainment Source: OECD (2008) Education at a Glance 2008, Indicator: A1.2a

6. Higher-educational attainment Source: OECD (2008) Education at a Glance 2008, Indicator: A1.3a

7. Participation in lifelong learning

8. Data source: Philip O’Connell, David Clancy & Selina McCoy (2006) Who went to college in 2004? Inequalities at the point of entry

9. National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education 2008-2013 “There is considerable scope for enhanced co-ordination between the various levels of education and for stronger inter-departmental co-ordination in our pursuit of greater equality in higher education. Bearing in mind the wide range of benefits to individuals, families, communities and educational institutions which arise from the effective creation of integrated services, it is imperative that a concerted effort is made to address issues which hinder the achievement of integrated community-based strategies to promote greater equity of access to higher education.” (p.35)

11. FE-HE progression

12. Economic context

13. Economic renewal “ Knowledge is the new currency of the innovation economy and our long-term economic success is tied inextricably to human and knowledge capital” (Innovation TaskForce Report (2010) p.25) “Encouraging creativity and entrepreneurship throughout the learning process is fundamental for future growth. The crisis, and the recovery from it, is also accelerating the pace of economic restructuring, with a lasting structural effect on the volume and types of skills needed.” (European Commission (2010) New Skills for New Jobs: 2010, p.4)

14. Educational attainment profile of the Irish adult population Data source: Central Statistics Office (Ireland), Quarterly National Household Survey, Q2 2008

15. “A nation’s greatness depends on the education of its people” (Vere Foster)

16. Learning our way forwards The levels of participation, to which we now aspire, are unprecedented New and innovative approaches will be needed to bring increasing numbers of citizens up to the skill levels and competence levels associated with high levels of educational achievement “Complex adaptive problems require adaptive leadership” (Heifetz)

17. New skills for a new era Growing emphasis on foundational skills such as quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, communication skills, team-working skills and the effective use of information technology. The creation and application of knowledge Nurturing creativity and the enthusiasm and skills required for continual engagement with learning These challenges are obviously best addressed collaboratively Increasing focus on the coherence and quality of the education system as a whole Access, transfer and progression

18. Mathematical and Scientific literacy

19. The interconnectedness of learning Need to ensure complimentarity and consistency in the skills and aptitudes that are nurtured and developed at all levels of education

20. Context

21. Any nostalgia for a golden age of education is misplaced… … we have yet to achieve it.