The contribution of ACFE for a more inclusive Australia

Rowena AllenChairpersonAdult Community and Further Education (ACFE) Board

1. ACFE overview

2. National recognition of adult community education

3. Supporting a more inclusive Australia

4. How is ACFE contributing to inclusion?

5. Questions

ACFE’s role post-school

ACFE overview

• 100,000 learners each year

• 8,000 staff and volunteers right across the state

• Over 320 not-for-profit Learn Local organisations

• 20 years legislated function to support the sector

• ACFE Board: 12 members

• 8 Regional Offices that support 8 Regional Councils

and Learn Local organisations

• 2 Adult Education Institutions – CAE and AMES

Learn Local in VET

Student contact hours

TAFE71%

Private21%

ACE8%

Learners

TAFE61%

Private26%

ACE13%

Figure 1 Government funded VET activity in 2010

Types of training offered

Pre-accredited training• Quality assured by ACFE Board• Increase confidence and skills• Programs of at least 20 hours• Pathways to further education and employment• 20% of ACE delivery (hours) in this form of training

Accredited training• A range of courses offered under the Victorian Training Guarantee• Around 80% of ACE delivery (hours) in accredited training

ACFE overview: qualifications

Figure 2.4 ACE market share by qualification level: 2010

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Module only

VCAL

Cert I

Cert II

Cert III

Cert IV

Diploma+

Module only

VCAL

Cert I

Cert II

Cert III

Cert IV

Diploma+

Student contact hours

Course enrolments

1. ACFE overview

2. National recognition of adult community education

3. Supporting a more inclusive Australia

4. How is ACFE contributing to inclusion?

5. Questions

National recognition of community based learning is stronger

2011 Victorian Families Statement

“Nothing is more important for the future prosperity of families than a good education, starting in early childhood.”

“By making it a priority and getting our education system right, the Government is making the best possible investment in our future…”

“In today’s world, having the right skills is increasingly important to securing and keeping a good job.”

1. ACFE overview

2. National recognition of adult community education

3. Supporting a more inclusive Australia

4. How is ACFE contributing to inclusion?

5. Questions

A small but significant number of Australians face multiple disadvantages

5% of persons aged 18-64 years reported having 3 or more areas of disadvantage, and they...

were concentrated in disadvantaged locations

reported greater difficulty accessing services

Social inclusion in Australia: How Australia is faring, 2010

Where you live matters...

Service access is more likely to be an issuefor those living outside major cities.Only 18% of people in major cities reported difficulties compared to 28% in inner regional areas and 39% in other areas which includes outer regional and remote locations

Costs, waiting times or unavailability and difficulty accessing transport or the distance needed to travel were common issues cited.

A social inclusion approach

What is social inclusion?...a socially inclusive society is one where all individuals have the opportunities, capabilities and resources to participate fully in their community

An effective social inclusion agenda uses a range of initiatives to:

• develop people’s resources• address resourcing gaps• encourage participation to

learn, work, engage, have a voice

• invest in support systems & reform

• measure and evaluate progress

1. ACFE overview

2. National recognition of adult community education

3. Supporting a more inclusive Australia

4. How is ACFE contributing to inclusion?

5. Questions

Hard to Reach LearnersCulturally and Linguistically

Diverse (CALD)Disabled Disengage

d youth

Early school leavers

Indigenous

Low socio-economic status

localities

Males over 45

Vulnerable workers

Unemployed

Hard to reach learner profile

Figure 3 Hard to reach learner profile: 2010

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

CALD Disabled Disengagedyouth

Schoolleavers

Indigenous Low SES Males over 45

Vulnerableworkers

ACE Private TAFE

Outcomes from Learn Local pathways

Labour Force Transitions

Learner Satisfaction Increased Income

Labour Force improvement

Among unemployed ACE learners – • 68 per cent gained skills to get a job• 58 per cent obtained a job.• 63 per cent of females undertaking ACE

study were in full time or part time employment compared to 52 per cent for women with less than ACE level education.

• Ratings of course quality consistent at around 95 per cent

• 83 per cent learners achieve their study goals

• $8,316 – $12,829 for males (in 2007 dollars)

• $1,336 – $2,205 for females (in 2007 dollars)

Among employed learners – • 73 per cent study helped with work tasks• 61 per cent taught them skills to help

them get a better job• 47 per cent helped get a new job, and• 26 per cent study helped them to set up or run a business

What would the VET system look like without ACE?

• Less support for hard to reach learners

• More limited pathways from informal to informal

learning

• Fewer local learning options

• Missed opportunities for locally developed

training to meet local needs

Mark’s pathway from Waverley Adult Literacy Program to employment

Inclusion through adult literacy training for improved work pathways

Inclusion through industry partnerships

Continuing Education Bendigo working with Care beyond Measure

Inclusion through university pathways

Partnerships between Learn Local organisations and universities

Inclusion through community learning

GEST’s Renew and recycle Program helping local disadvantaged community members

Challenges and opportunities for ACE

Seeking greater recognition of the contribution of the sector in general, and to social and economic outcomes

Recognition funding

Enhancing learner pathways more systematically than at present

Supporting Learn Local organisations to deliver in a training market

1. ACFE overview

2. National recognition of adult community education

3. Supporting a more inclusive Australia

4. How is ACFE contributing to inclusion?

5. Questions?