Inez Bailey, Director of the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) talks about the pros and cons of her job and the need to expand to accomodate a growing demand.
What's it like to work in NALA?
Working in NALA is stimulating and challenging as a lot of our work is about trying to come up with new solutions to a global issue. Simply, many thousands of people in Ireland today have insufficient literacy and numeracy for our modern society, preventing them from getting a job or promotion, helping their children with homework or fulfilling their potential in the community.
In NALA we try to come up with inventive ways of addressing this issue. This entails working nationally with a range of Government departments and State agencies on policy development and implementation, which we feel will have a positive impact on people with literacy or numeracy difficulties.
How does this job compare with your last job?
I worked in a number of different posts for Co Offaly VEC, all in the adult and community- education field. From working with early school leavers to people in rural communities trying to improve their local area, the common denominator was working at the coalface. Such direct work with people is very rewarding and much more immediate in terms of results, whereas when working at the national level it often takes a long time before you see the fruits of your labour.
What's the best part of your job?
The best thing about working in NALA is that all your energy goes into something really worthwhile - ensuring people who want to improve their literacy and numeracy have the opportunity to do so. I also enjoy working in a team, which has a diverse array of talent and experience. In short, NALA is made of up of a fantastic group of people who are all very committed to their work and do a great job.
What's the hardest part of your job?
In my experience, the hardest part of any job is usually the most worthwhile and in NALA it is working in partnership with a large number of organisations in the belief that only together can deep-rooted educational and social issues be solved.
Where do you retreat to when it all gets too much?
My home and my family are my sanctuary, balanced with friends, nights out and travelling.
Who's your education idol?
I studied adult and community education in NUI Maynooth and was greatly inspired by all the people I met there and those I studied, particularly Paolo Freire who wrote about the emancipation of adults through education in South America. When I met an Irish woman who had returned to learning after a poor compulsory education, I too saw how lifelong learning opportunities change and deeply enrich individual lives, families and communities for the better. I also recognised how privileged my life had been.
If you could change one thing about NALA what would it be?
NALA has grown over the last six years but we have remained in our original premises, now too small. Ideally I would like to have more space, while retaining our central location and low rental costs.
In the real world, the more we spend on rent, the less goes on our core work.
What's unique about your job?
My work is very varied, ranging from contributing to committees advising Government on education, employment and social issues, to managing a staff team and reporting to an elected voluntary executive committee. The last six years have been a very progressive time for adult literacy work and this has meant that my job has been very rewarding.
Working over this period of time has meant my job has been unique, as it has afforded the first real opportunity to address the adult literacy and numeracy issue in Ireland. Long may it continue.
