Adult learning on the move in Wairarapa

HITTIN' THE ROAD: The Wairarapa REAP ACE Place on the Move will complete a circuit of the region throughout Adult Learners' Week next month, returning to a trail taken across Wairarapa last year, including outside the Carterton Events Centre, during the week set aside to celebrate and encourage adult education.PHOTO/FILE

A league of adult education experts - the Wairarapa REAP ACE Place On The Move roadshow - will visit towns throughout the region during the upcoming Adult Learners' Week/He Tangata Matauranga.

Wairarapa REAP (Rural Education Activities Programme) spokeswoman Wendel Richardson, also co-chair of ACE (Adult and Community Education) Aotearoa, said the Wairarapa organisation will travel to towns from Eketahuna to Featherston each day of Adult Learners' Week, which launches next month.

Ace Place on the Move will be launched on the opening day of Adult Learners' Week on Monday September 7 with an Adult Learner Awards Ceremony at the Henley Mens Shed in Masterton, where awards will be presented for outstanding adult learners, exceptional adult educators and innovative providers.

Candidates for the awards had been drawn from nominations gathered throughout Wairarapa, Ms Richardson said.

The roadshow will move on to Pahiatua on Tuesday September 8, Featherston on Wednesday September 9, Eketahuna on Thursday September 10 - as part of the North Wairarapa Cultural Festival - and will visit Carterton on Friday September 11.

"Wairarapa REAP will set up its gazebo and couch at towns from Featherston to Eketahuna to give out information and advice on local learning opportunities, whether for fun, to gain life skills, or to upskill for employment," Ms Richardson said.

At each location, she said, the ACE Place team will be joined by representatives from other learning providers including UCOL, Taratahi, Literacy Wairarapa, Supergrans, U3A, Free Budget Services, Tararua Learning Centre and Henley Mens Shed "to give their own tips and pointers on a whole range of adult learning".

"Adult learning can add another dimension to people's lives, keep people stimulated and contribute to a sense of well-being.

"There's a surprising amount on offer on our own doorstep and this will be a great opportunity for people to drop by and learn what's happening near where they live," Ms Richardson said.

The week will be celebrated across New Zealand with events planned nationwide to recognise adult learning.

For more details about Adult Learners' Week in Wairarapa, please contact Jude McNeur at Wairarapa REAP, or visit the website waireap.org.nz or Facebook page.