ESB announce partnership with An Cosán Virtual Community College to bring light of education to underserved communities

ESB is proud to announce a three-year partnership with An Cosán Virtual Community College (VCC), which will  help develop an online academic programme for adult learners that is currently being rolled out nationwide through community based organisations.

VCC, Ireland’s first virtual adult education platform, aims to increase access to further and higher education nationwide and address social inequality through online and mobile technology.

VCC caters for adult learners who have not benefitted from mainstream education, and for those who wish to continue their education in an accessible and affordable way.  It combines a virtual classroom, online live lectures with independent activities, assignments and face-to-face sessions in community partner settings.

Announcing the new 2017-19 partnership, ESB Chief Executive Pat O’Doherty says that this commitment sees the company taking a strategic approach to effect positive change. “There are many barriers for people across Ireland in accessing further and higher education.  This innovative new programme has the power to break down these barriers and offers a unique opportunity for anyone wishing to develop their skills and achieve their full potential.  ESB is conscious that our staff and our company have been the beneficiaries of historically high standards of educational delivery. We have an obligation to acknowledge and repay that investment made in us and we are pleased to announce our continued support of VCC today.”An Cosán Virtual Community College’s Liz Waters is pictured with Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment Denis Naughton TD and ESB Chief Executive Pat O’Doherty at the launch of the ESB’s partnership with the College to bring light of education to underserved communities. Picture Andres Poveda

Welcoming the announcement, Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment Denis Naughten TD says: “VCC exemplifies the capacity of online and mobile technologies to bring crucial educational opportunities to citizens all around Ireland, and ESB’s support both in terms of funding and knowledge sharing is to be warmly welcomed. These technology-enhanced community hubs – urban and rural – are spread across the country, which will be underpinned with broadband rollout initiatives announced in Budget 2017. This strategic support by ESB will bolster educational supports in these underserved areas and ensure that communities across Ireland are equipped with the skills for the digital age.”  

Director of VCC, Liz Waters adds: “Many people across Ireland face a multitude of barriers accessing further and higher education, ranging from rural isolation and lack of institutional access, to child and family care considerations and, very importantly, financial issues. VCC has the power to break down these barriers and offers a unique opportunity for anyone wishing to develop their skills and achieve their full potential. The significant support VCC receives from ESB cannot be underestimated. It has allowed us to create the infrastructure to bring VCC into being. It is also an important statement of belief in what we are doing and an acknowledgement of aligned values. It supports VCC to bring the light of transformative education to the most underserved communities across Ireland.”