Peer influence and lived experience are valuable for increasing participation in lifelong learning. This principle underpins the Learner Ambassador programme, an initiative developed by the Learning and Work Institute (L&W) in collaboration with members of the Adult Learning Partnership Wales. The programme focuses on empowering learners and ensuring their perspectives are heard through international collaboration for personal and professional development.

The Taith programme, specifically designed to champion international learning exchanges, provided the ideal framework for this project. The aim was to empower Welsh learners to represent their peers through direct engagement with Irish adult education and training.

A partnership with AONTAS, Ireland’s National Adult Learning organisation, and Cork Education and Training Board (CETB) facilitated mobility visits to Dublin and Cork. These visits provided experiences for partners and learner ambassadors, generating insights for learning providers in Wales. These learnings have been used to develop practical guidance, informed by “What Works” principles.

The journey began in Dublin in 2024, with partners examining Ireland’s national adult learning system. Engagement with organisations like AONTAS, the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA), and SOLAS (the state agency for Further Education and Skills Service) offered insights into national adult learning policy, advocacy, and programme delivery. Participation in workshops and observation of practices provided a comparative perspective on the Irish adult learning landscape.

In 2025, the focus shifted to Cork to observe regional learning and training implementation. Site visits to Cork ETB and interactions with Cork Learning Ambassadors and staff showed Welsh ambassadors how support is provided to learners across various sectors. They observed the impact of an ambassador’s role, different programme deliveries, and support systems. This engagement offered an opportunity to explore pedagogical approaches, understand challenges and successes of a regional provider, and identify transferable practices for Wales.

The project facilitated an exchange of ideas, perspectives, and practices, including the culmination of guidance for providers across Wales. This resource will offer practical recommendations for enhancing learner engagement and representation within Welsh adult education.

The guidance highlights findings of effective approaches Learner Ambassadors observed in Ireland, including innovative methods for proactively gathering meaningful learner feedback, successful and sustainable models for learner representation on key decision-making bodies, and impactful strategies for fostering a strong and supportive sense of learner community.

Providers can use this to support the development of their own learner ambassador programmes and empower individuals in their learning journeys.

Empowering Learner Ambassadors – Learning and Work Institute

Working closely in the future with Medr and the Welsh Government, this resource marks the initial step to enhancing learner voice in adult education across Wales and fostering a more inclusive, engaged, and ultimately more successful learning society for everyone in Wales.

The Taith Learner Ambassador Programme demonstrates the potential of international collaboration to drive innovation in education. By providing learner ambassadors with these experiences and translating them into practical guidance for providers in Wales, the programme will contribute to a more empowered and learner-centric future for adult education.

Sharing knowledge across borders can lead to more effective learning systems that serve diverse needs and aspirations of all learners.