On Thursday 16th of July, Research Assistant and incoming John and Pat Hume Scholar Stephanie Thompson (supervised by Dr. David Doyle) was invited to speak at the launch of SOLAS’ new five-year strategy for the Further Education & Training in Ireland ‘Future FET: Transforming Learning’ held in Richmond Barracks in Dublin. The new strategy will see Ireland move towards a more integrated tertiary education system that combines further education and training and higher education, and values lifelong learning as having a key role in social inclusion and economic success. Stephanie spoke about her personal educational journey as an early school-leaver and her engagement with the further education and training sector which acted as a stepping stone to her reaching university level. Stephanie spoke alongside Simon Harris TD, Niall Collins TD, SOLAS’s Andrew Brownlee and City of Dublin ETB CEO Carol Hanney.