Innovative EA projects shortlisted for Digital Transformation Awards

EA Connect is a finalist in the ‘Best Citizen/Customer Experience’ category and, in conjunction with project partner Version 1, is also among the shortlisted nominees for the ‘Best ICT Project of the Year – Education Sector’ award.

The Education Authority’s Student Finance Service has also been shortlisted in the ‘Best ICT Project of the Year – Education Sector’ category for its new online system which has replaced the previous paper-based application process for Further Education grants.

This is the second year of the Public Sector Digital Transformation Awards, with the ceremony scheduled to take place at the Mansion House in Dublin on Thursday, October 10th.

Developed as part of EA’s Education Information Solutions (EdIS) programme, EA Connect is an integrated, user-friendly platform which covers Admissions, SEN Annual Reviews, Transport assistance, and Free School Meals and Uniform Grant applications.

EdIS Programme Director, Frances Meehan said:

“EA Connect is a key pillar of the EdIS Programme. Since its introduction, we have seen encouraging evidence of EA Connect’s transformative potential in terms of the delivery of EA services and making these more accessible for those seeking to avail of them.  

“I am delighted that EA Connect has been shortlisted for these prestigious awards, which is welcome industry endorsement and deserved recognition for the excellent work of our internal team alongside project partners Version 1.”

EdIS Workstream Lead for EA Connect, Francine Hillemand said:

“The roll-out of EA Connect has been very successful so far, with a significant increase year-on-year in the numbers using the platform to make various types of application and overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents, schools and EA services.

“EA Connect was developed as a unified digital platform, providing parents and schools with access to various EA support services.  Each child’s details only need to be entered onto EA Connect once and are available for use in applications relating to a range of services thereafter.  This means application processes are quicker and more convenient for busy families.

“Being shortlisted for ‘Best Citizen/Customer Experience’ is welcome validation of the user-friendly nature of the EA Connect portal, and the nomination for ‘Best ICT Project – Education Sector’ reflects the quality of the solution developed with Version 1.”

Version 1 Account Director, John McShane said:

“We are extremely proud of the EA and Version 1 team who have digitally transformed a number of key pupil-based services through delivery of the EA Connect Portal. 

“This is a fantastic example of digitally transformed services delivering real and significant benefit to parents, pupils, schools and EA.

 “Industry recognition through these prestigious awards is further validation of the fantastic work completed in the true spirit of partnership by both EA and Version 1.”

The newly-developed Further Education Grants portal, which has also been shortlisted for ‘Best ICT Project – Education Sector’, has made it much quicker and easier for FE students to apply for financial support.  Instead of completing a 16-page paper application previously, the application now just takes around 10 minutes to complete online, and processing times are also greatly reduced.

EA’s Head of Admissions and Financial Support, Chris Scott said:

“The introduction of the new online facility has been warmly welcomed, with the Student Finance Service, as well as the students applying for FE support, now realising the benefits of the hard work that has gone into the development of the new FE Grants system.

“EA ICT Software developers have designed, created and are managing the technical side of the online facility based on the specification provided by Student Finance personnel.  There has been an outstanding cross-directorate approach with the Digital Transformation and Innovation team at the core of the development. I am delighted to see this project receive the recognition it deserves.”