STTC NATC 2001

NATC Newsletter, Sept 2001

Articles:
Report on the Quality Framework 2
I.A.C.T.O Conference 3
The Year ahead - Changes in NATC 4
NATC Annual General Meeting 7

Features:
Talking Point:
European Education & Training Policy 5

In the Pipeline:
Video Project 8

The Executive:
Executive Meeting Calendar & Minutes 8

Noticeboard 10

THE QUALITY FRAMEWORK

Members of NATC executive met with the National Coordinator for Senior Traveller Training Centres and Ms. Shivaun O'Brien, on the 24th September. NATC was represented at the meeting by our Chairman, Mr. Martin Ward, and Mr. Declan Clarke, Chairperson of the Directors Association, Ms. Margaret Madden, ATTC representative, Ms. Maureen Benson, Youth workers representative, Mr. James O'Leary and Ms. Thelma Carroll.

As you are all aware the process of developing a quality framework for Youthreach is well under way. The exploratory phase has been completed and the findings of the initial consultations were circulated prior to the summer break.

The National Coordinators made funds available for centres to facilitate local consultations in response to the report on the initial findings and 30 or so responses were been received.

The next phase of the process began in the autumn with the organisation of nine regional meetings that brought together representatives of Senior Traveller Training Centres and Youthreach directors; centre staffs, and participants together with representatives from the Vocational Education Committees and the Boards of Management of Centres. Representatives of NATC also attended these regional seminars.

An Interdepartmental steering committee is in place and a 'census' or joint working group will be formed in the near future, that will bring together representatives of all stakeholder groups working within centres.
NATC will be represented in this group.

The work resulting from the various regional seminars and the parallel process undertaken by FÀS and the Justice workshops will be brought together for the production of a joint document and presented to the Interdepartmental Steering Group, following which the Joint Working Committee will be formed. Once the final document is produced and agreed, probably in October or November 2002, the implementation phase will begin with training and piloting across the various strands of Youthreach.

The document will, we understand, be comprehensive, and the various strands will be able to select the quality criteria that best suits their needs and the needs of their participants.

At our September meeting with Ms. O'Brien and the National Coordinator, we discussed substantive issues arising out of the initial phase at some length. Of particular concern to those present was the issue of sub-standard premises and financial supports for centres that may be necessary to enable them to meet quality criteria, especially in view of changes currently being undertaken in the structure of certification where VTEC and or HTEC may require certain criteria to met in relation to particular subject areas, although it is not clear at the present time what these might be.

Another particular concern expressed by members present was the need for the inclusion of an across the board standard in relation to Traveller culture and identity.

These issues were also raised by us at the regional seminars and continued to be raised by other participants in them.

The issues of most concern to those who participated in the initial phase of the process and at Regional Seminars were:

Premises
Health and Safety Issues
Assessment of Staff
Public Relations and Community Links
Time

There also appears to be some reservations in relation to the development of a core curriculum and that one possible strategy emergent from the exploratory phase is that standards should be weighted. Additionally, concerns were expressed at the Regional Seminars in relation to the concept of 'a critical friend'. As presented at the regional seminars, the critical friend would be the director of a centre drawn from the region who would visit the centre and informally discuss the centre's application under the quality framework. It was felt that if such a person is needed to review progress in relation to such applications, that there ought to be established a support or advice unit that could offer such advice and support independently to individual centres.

NATC would share the concerns expressed above, particularly as centre staff and directors already bear the burden of networking with other agencies locally and to some extent each centre already undergoes evaluation processes within it. Time is needed for planning the implementation of the quality framework that involves all elements within each centre and individual Vocational Education Committee.

We would also be concerned that the processes of external evaluation are transparent, with clear and unequivocal feedback to the individual centre from the evaluation team. We would like to see an appeals process and safeguards in place within the final document that ensures that all centres are equally evaluated.

I.A.C.T.O CONFERENCE - Address by Mr. Guss O'Connell, National Coordinator for Community training Workshops.

Community Training Workshops are one of the strands of Youthreach and I.A.C.T.O is the body representing their management boards. The Conference took place on the 26th and 27th September 2001 at the Royal Dublin Hotel.

Mr O'Connell made an interesting and informative presentation, outlining his role as National Coordinator for Community Training Workshops and the context of change through which CTW's came into being and the past and current European and National policy contexts with the emphasis on social inclusion policy. He stated that having achieved the objectives of equality in process and participation in the 1980's and 90's the focus for the early years of the twenty-first century is to secure equality of outcome leading to the social integration of marginalized groups.

Having made reference to legislative changes, in particular the Qualifications Act, and changes in the processes of decision-making in policy from the older more dictatorial style to an approach that is collaborative and consultative he went on to state that the development of a regulatory Quality Assurance Framework will lead to a more coordinated accreditation system and the development of the whole person.

Mr. O'Connell went on to make reference to the results of research that showed the effectiveness of intervention in the form of education and training provided by Community training workshops. Of those entering programmes 58.9% of participants are identified as having a dysfunctional family background, 53.2% would have difficulty in terms of literacy and numeracy, 48% were in need of psychological support and 33.5% would have experienced substance abuse. In terms of outcomes on exit 71.5% would have gained in self-confidence and 68.2% would have improved literacy and numeracy skills, whilst 68% would express less sense of social alienation and 63% would display improved social skills.

In his concluding remarks, Mr. O'Connell opined that both Training allowances and levels of literacy remain too low and that a big issue facing centres is the attraction of employment in a buoyant economy. He also averred that the introduction of the Quality Assurance framework will aid the processes of documenting the work, and will lead to more transparency and relevant monitoring for centres.

Mr. O'Connell concluded the programme of speakers and following a short break there was a question and answer session for the panel.

The afternoon session was taken up with workshops and the conference was closed that day at 3.15pm.

Mr. Paul Hogan, NATC former secretary and acting Treasurer and former Chairman of the executive projects sub-committee Mr. Tony O'Reilly both indicated, prior to the AGM that they would not be standing for re-election. Their efforts on behalf of the Association enabled us to achieve much in the past two years, and we are indebted to them, and on behalf of all our members thank them for their unstinting support.

Also, Mr. Domhnall Murphy, formerly director of the Ross Youth Training Centre in New Ross, resigned from the executive, prior to the AGM, following his appointment to the Partnership project. Domhnall also has been a great support and motivator within the executive, and we wish him well in his new post.

Ms. Margaret Sheridan, elected as a member of the executive in November 2001, representing the Teachers Constituency has been appointed as Director of a new centre that will open shortly in Birr Co. Offaly, and has regrettably therefore resigned from the executive. We wish Margaret well for the future and look forward to meeting her in her new role.

N.A.T.C. has applied for funding to continue the work of development within the Association and there are also changes proposed in the structure of N.A.T.C youth services.

Mr. P.J. McDonagh, Coordinator for the Voice of the Traveller magazine has also left N.A.T.C in December following the production of a bumper Christmas edition of the magazine.

PJ worked tirelessly for the magazine, acting as editor, chief reporter, photographer, proof-reader, and compositor as well as undertaking all the administration for it over the years. It is largely thanks to PJ's efforts that the magazine has been developed to its current standard of excellence.

He will be very much missed by NATC, and we all wish him well in his future career with the Parish of the Traveller.

CHANGES IN N.A.T.C

As all our readers are now aware, N.A.T.C has a new Constitution and has held its first Annual General Meeting since 1995.

The adoption of a new constitution has marked the beginning of a process of ongoing development in the structure of the Association.

These changes should enable N.A.T.C. to respond to the changing climate of policy more effectively.

TALKING POINT - European Vocational Education and Training Policy.

You may or may not be surprised to learn that the European Union has a policy on Vocational Education & Training and that this policy is influential in the formation of National policy in this field across Europe, supported by various EU sponsored projects such as Erasmus and Leonardo. There are European Working Papers, Council Recommendations and reports published by the Commission and in 1995 it produced the White Paper Teaching and Learning: Towards the Learning Society. 1995 was the European year of Lifelong Learning. European publications, Council recommendations and Commission reports can be obtained from the European Parliament building library in Dublin, and the European Union Website is a useful source of information on current developments. This was followed by a Commission report in 1997 on Access to Continuing Training in the Union.

The overall aim of this European policy is to enable freedom of movement across Europe by skilled workers and professionals, by ensuring parallel quality in Qualifications, thus promoting the economic well being of Europeans.

Chapter 3 (articles 126 and 127) of the Treaty on European Union sets out the context for pan-European cooperative action on Education and Training. Guidelines for Community Action in the field of Education and Training were published in a Commission Working paper on the 5th of May 1993, and it states in this document that: "The quality of the education and training systems is of paramount importance to the harmonious development of the Member States, both in terms of securing a more vigorous economic performance as well as promoting their social and cultural development… thus creating the basis for a more prosperous and cohesive society."

A report from the commission following the Council meeting in Lisbon in March 2000 sets out the concrete future objectives of education systems based on five major expressed by Member States as being: Quality, Access, Content, Openness and Effectiveness. The objectives proposed are geared towards raising the standard of leaning in Europe. The recommendation on Quality in higher education (98/561/EC) was adopted in September 1998. The expressed future objectives contained in this report include: Improving Training for Teachers and Trainers, Increasing Literacy and Numeracy, Access to Lifelong Learning.

What, you may ask has all this to do with you and your centre?

In the European white paper Teaching and Leaning: Towards the Learning Society, recent developments in National Vocational Education & Training (1995) are heralded. For example page 56 (example No 1) states in the aims section - "render it possible for each individual to have partial skills recognised under a flexible and permanent system…. for validating knowledge units." Hence ECDL. Consider also the White Paper on Adult Education, recent innovative legislation and the various forms of consultation that have been undertaken or are ongoing in which you have been involved and that will serve to revitalise Vocational Education & Training in Ireland.

Publications of the European Union are available from the Office for Official Publications of the European Union based in Luxembourg and there are a variety of European Union Websites that are updated regularly.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Annual General Meeting:

NATC Annual General Meeting took place on Wednesday the 21st November in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel, Athlone

The main business of the meeting was to hold an election for a new executive of NATC. For the first time, the executive was elected by a system of proportional representation, with a postal ballot as well as members attending the AGM voting. The total number of votes cast was 283.

It had been hoped to produce the Annual Report for the meeting, but due to flooding at our Athlone office, this was not possible. The full annual report including minutes of the Annual General Meeting, NATC accounts, an account of NATC activities over the year and details of the ballot and motions adopted at the meeting will be circulated shortly to all Senior Traveller Training centres, together with a copy of NATC Constitution, as amended by the AGM.

Members voted at AGM to extend the constituencies to include secretarial staff within centres. Also, the membership fee for training centres was fixed at £250.00 per annum. The availability of individual membership, together with the possibility of people working in other Youthreach centres and their participants to hold associate membership of NATC was a new innovation adopted at the meeting. Such membership is subject to the payment of a small membership fee as fixed by NATC AGM.

The final change adopted by AGM was the centralisation of NATC administration and management employees in Athlone, where NATC have maintained an office over the past number of years.

We hope that this change will make it easier for members to contact our staff and will enable us to respond more quickly to you, our members.

The address of the office is:

Scotch Parade
Athlone
Co. Westmeath

Telephone No: 0902-73885
Fax: 0902-73889
E: Mail: natc1@eircom.net

THE NEW EXECUTIVE IS:

Elected members:

Martin Ward, Tuam
Michael McDonagh Navan
Francis Gilmartin Carrick on Shannon
Declan Clark Navan
Catherine Cooney Loughrea
Peter Connolly Galway
Margaret Sheridan Tullamore
Theresa B Ward Loughrea
Lily McDonagh Tullamore

Ex-Officio Members:

Margaret Madden ATTC
Gerard Griffin National Coordinator
James O'Leary NATC Youthwork
Coordinator
Thelma Carroll NATC research/development officer
Maureen Benson NATC Youthworkers'
Representative.

There remains to be filled 3 elective vacancies and 1 ex-officio vacancy on NATC executive, and suggestions for people to be co-opted to fill these vacancies have been sought from the training centres.

IN THE PIPELINE

THE EXECUTIVE

Video project on Traveller Culture and Identity.

Towards the end of May, Paul Hogan and James O'Leary each proposed that a video project might be undertaken. The video project will geared to informing primarily youth workers and groups and professionals working with Travellers of Traveller History, Culture and Identity, and the work of Senior Traveller Training Centres.

Thelma Carroll was asked to write a proposal for the project and an application for funding was made. Funding has been made available and the preliminary work in relation to the production of not one, but a series of videos will begin soon.

We see the production of these videos together with support materials as being of wide interest to professionals working with young Travellers, members of the wider Traveller community, and Youthreach centres across all the strands.

If you would like further information please contact Thelma (087 9567739) or James (0902 73885).

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETINGS:

Athlone Tuesday 5th March
Carrick-on Shannon Wednesday 10th April
Tuam Monday 13th May
Navan Thursday 13th June
Loughrea Wednesday 17th. July
Galway Friday 13th. September
Portlaoise Monday 21st. October
Ballina Monday 2nd December

We hope that these meetings will take place in the Senior Traveller Training Centre. Our first meeting of the year took place in St. Colmcille's Traveller's Workshop in Tullamore on the 17the January. We would like to take this opportunity of thanking the Director, Staff and Trainees of St. Colmcille's for their great hospitality on the day.

We are currently endeavouring to arrange our calendar of meetings with the Department of Education & Science, Further Education Section and when this is finalised, the calendar will be published in Newsletter.

Please contact NATC Office in Athlone if you would like to have any issue included for discussion at these meetings.

EXECUTIVE MINUTES

Please see annual report, Executive Minutes. At page 40 for minutes of meetings September - December 2000.

The executive met on the 17th January 2002 in Tullamore.

Due to Thelma's injury James O'Leary agreed to take the minutes of the meeting.
The meeting held in December in Athlone was a briefing session for the new Executive on NATC Constitution, activities and ongoing work of the executive, full documented briefing papers were forwarded to all members prior to the meeting and therefore there were no minutes to the meeting.
Ms. Margaret Sheridan submitted her resignation as a member of the executive representing teachers, as she is to take up a new role as Director of the Birr STTC.
Mr Martin Ward was re-elected Chairman for a further term, the election of other officers to be deferred until after the next executive briefing on the 22nd February. It was agreed that Mr. Ward hold full executive authority pending election of the remaining officers, including that of Vice Chair on or before the 5th March.
Cooption of members to fill vacancies arising/remaining. The vacancies are:
Teachers' representatives
Directors Association representative
Participant representative

It was decided that Ms. Carroll is to write to Training Centres and nominating bodies asking them to nominate members in the relevant constituencies for cooption onto the executive.
The existing Youth Services Sub-Committee is to remain in place. Mr. Gerry Griffin and Mr. Michael Mc Donagh volunteered to serve in this committee. The formation of the remaining sub-committees and their composition to be addressed at the next Executive meeting.
In relation to Meetings with the Department of Education and Science Further Education Section, stating that a proposed calendar of meetings had been suggested to Mr. Peter Kelly and that regular meetings took place between the National Coordinator and NATC represented by Mr. O'Leary and her the next scheduled meeting to take place in Ennis on the 30th January next. With regard to meetings with the Further Education Section, Mr. Peter Connolly, Ms. Catherine Cooney, Mr. Michael McDonagh and Mr. Martin Ward have agreed to make themselves available. Ms. Carroll to accompany NATC executive members at these meetings.
The issue of meetings with other representative bodies within the STTC system and Youthreach generally arose. Following general discussion, it was proposed and agreed that NATC continues meeting with other bodies such as Youthreach and maintain relationships with them but that the main focus of activity in this area remain on cooperation and contact with ATTC and the Directors Association until such time as we have definite policies on the development of STTC's.

A plan for the Voice of The Traveller Magazine's development is to be circulated to the executive prior to the next meeting and Ms. Carroll to take editorial responsibility for the magazine in the interim, until the development of the magazine is finally agreed and implemented. It was highlighted and agreed that this does not affect the long-term position and principle that a Traveller should coordinate the Voice of the Traveller Magazine.
The findings of the recently conducted Secretarial Survey and copies were circulated to members.
Aa brief outline in relation to funding was given:
We received a grant of 1,500 punts from Anti Racism for Video Project
Received insurance of 950 punts re: flooding of offices for replacement carpet etc.
A formal vote of thanks for the hospitality given by St. Colmcille's Travellers' Workshop was unanimously made.
There being no further business Chairman declared the meeting closed at 2.00pm.

If you, your centre or local Traveller Community Group have any event forthcoming in April/May/June please notify Thelma at the NATC office on or before the 31st March 2002 so that it can be publicised in Newsletter.