An exploration of adult guidance practitioners’ experiences of policy and practice in the reformed Further Education and Training (FET) sector in Ireland

ABSTRACT

In this article we discuss findings from an exploratory Irish online survey that examined professional practice issues for adult guidance professionals working in the Irish Further Education and Training (FET) sector. We explore current guidance counselling provision to adult learners in the context of major structural and systemic reforms that have been taking place in the FET sector since 2013.

KEYWORDS:

• Adult guidance
• further education and training
• public policy
• adult learners

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by National Institute of Studies in Education (NISE) [Seed Fund].

Notes on contributors

Lucy Hearne

Dr. Lucy Hearne is an Assistant Lecturer in the School of Lifelong Learning and Education, Waterford Institute of Technology, Ireland. Her research interest areas are lifelong guidance counselling, career development, adult education, and reflective practice. She is a recipient of an Irish Research Council for Humanities and Social Sciences (IRCHSS) PhD scholarship (2006), IRCHSS New Ideas Grant (2011), Irish Research Council (IRC) New Foundations and IRC Starter Research Grant (2014), UL Seed Funding Grant (2014) and National Institute for Studies in Education (NISE) Seed Fund (2017).

Petra Elftorp

Dr. Petra Elftorp is a part-time lecturer on the MA in Guidance Counselling and Lifespan Development, University of Limerick, Ireland. She is also a freelance researcher. Her PhD in 2018 investigated the guidance needs of adult learners with dyslexia.

Cathal de Paor

Dr. Cathal de Paor is a Senior Lecturer and Director of Continuing Professional Development, Mary Immaculate College, Ireland. His research areas include teacher education, continuing professional development, teacher induction and mentoring, curriculum design, programme evaluation, and quality assurance. He as a recipient of a National Institute for Studies in Education (NISE) Seed Fund (2017).

Karina Ryan

Karina Ryan is the National Institute for Studies in Education (NISE) NISE PATH 1 Programme Manager, Mary Immaculate College, Ireland. She is currently undertaking a PhD with Maynooth University, Ireland.