VIEW, Issue three, 2012 Profile W


hen did you take up your present position?


I took up this position in January of this year, but I have worked for EGSA for over 12 years. It was a big challenge stepping into the shoes of former Chief Executive Eileen Kelly. EGSA was founded by Dr Dorothy Eagleson in 1967 and she and Eileen each led the organisation for a period of 22 years. I feel very honoured to have been appointed to carry on their work.


How many people does your organisa- tion provide services to?


We provide services to over 3,000 people a year. That can range from an individual receiving advice over the phone to someone attending a weekly training session over a period of six weeks. Our clients include adult learners and those who sup- port them, such as line managers in the workplace, tutors, health practitioners and community leaders.


What is your view of the current education system in Northern Ireland?


In NI we are very proud of our academic achieve- ments at GCSE and A-level but we are less vocal about the long tale of underachievement. Around 24% of adults have difficulties with literacy and just over 30% of young people leave school without a grade C in GCSE English and 35% without grade C in Maths. We seek to support adults who are at a distance from learning and who often lack confi- dence in their ability to learn. Our role is about raising aspirations by providing advice and guidance to help them find a pathway back to learning and achieving their learning goals.


How can access to education be improved for adults?


Adult learning needs to be flexible, accessible and allow opportunities for progression. Many face bar- riers including transport issues, rural isolation, car- ing responsibilities and working patterns. We need more community-based learning that can help ease adults back into learning in a non-threatening envi- ronment. It is also important that individuals avail of educational guidance to help plan the learning path that is right for them. Retention and progres- sion in learning is improved when learners are mo- tivated and have a clear direction. Participating in learning can also raise self-esteem and help im- prove health and well being.


Do you think the rise in fees will deter adults from learning?


While some adults do enter full-time higher educa- tion, many choose a part-time or distance learning route, such as the Open University. We are able to provide advice on financing learning and how it might impact on benefits, etc.


What are the funding arrangements for EGSA and how secure is it?


We have a range of funding. We have a contract with DEL to deliver redundancy support and out- reach career guidance. We have funding from Lloyds Banking Group and Barclays to support fi- nancial capability for adult learners and we provide guidance to deaf and hard of hearing adults through Big Lottery and European funding. Like many other organisations we also generate income through a social economy model by selling our services to employers and other organisations. A ‘mixed economy’ of funding is vital for sustainability in the current climate.


Website: viewdigital.org


Page 3


We talk to Ann Osborne, the Chief Executive of the Education Guidance Service for Adults (EGSA), about the challenges facing the organisation


lives have been changed as a result of going back to learning, entering employment or changing career’ What is the best part of your job?


The best part is hearing from individuals about the impact our service has had on their lives. We get a lot of satisfaction when we hear from people who feel their lives have been changed as a result of going back to learning, entering employment or changing career.


What is the most difficult part of the job?


The most difficult part is when we can't provide what we feel is needed because of a lack of fund- ing. It's also difficult trying to influence government policy. We know from working with clients what the needs and barriers are, but trying to influence policy is difficult.


What changes in your job would really benefit you?


I would like the sector, and in particular the adult learning sector, to have more opportunities to feed into policy making. As we work directly with indi- viduals and groups we know at first hand what the needs and barriers are and can offer suggestions and solutions particularly on helping adults get back into learning and work. I would also like to see the community/voluntary sector being given more opportunities to deliver learning and to have the flexibility to deliver more innovative ap-


‘We get a lot of satisfaction when we hear from people who feel their


proaches such as those currently being delivered under the Big Lottery funded ‘Live and Learn’ pro- gramme.


Are you optimistic or pessimistic about the future for EGSA?


I'm optimistic. Like other organisations, when our core funding from DEL ended a few years ago we had to restructure, losing some valuable staff in the process. It was a difficult time but we have man- aged the change well. We now have funding from a range of sources.


Who has been one of the biggest inspirations on you in your career?


Former director, Eileen Kelly, inspired me totally. I wouldn’t be in this role today without her support in guiding my career in EGSA. She always believed in helping people realise their potential. Her skills also in taking this organisation through a very rocky period and totally believing in what we did was a great inspiration to me.


How do you relax when you are away from the job?


I really enjoy music. I am a member of Bangor Ladies Choir. We will be singing at the Diamond Ju- bilee Conference in June at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast. I also enjoy gardening.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25