This study sets out to examine the long term benefits for those taking part in community education. This will be examined from the point of view of progression to employment which is often the primary requirement set out by those who fund the programme and the personal and social development which is core to the ethos of community education. There is a discrepancy between these two aspirations, which is currently one of the greatest challenges facing community education and those who work and manage these programmes. While a community education ideology prescribes a humanist, person centred approach, which is what we aim to provide, those who fund this sector are interested in the economic aspect with progression to employment their primary goal. Other challenges which community education are facing will be explored including changes in the structures of this sector, FETAC accreditation, funding reductions and other cutbacks, as a result of the economic downturn. The research concentrates on a group of learners who completed the course in 2009 and who were all invited to take part in the focus group interview’ they were asked to reflect on their experiences of community education, how they became involved in the first place and its role in their lives since they completed the course. This is the first research carried out from a longer term perspective on this programme and will provide the opportunity to explore the issues and challenges facing community education and will hopefully be of benefit to future programmes.