- Minister for Training and Skills
Learn Local organisations will reach out to more Victorians and tailor their training to meet the needs of those in the community, following an investment of $2 million from the Andrews Labor Government.
Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney today visited the Banksia Gardens Community Services, a Learn Local based in Broadmeadows, which offers 43 programs and services, including pathways to work, English skills programs, IT, arts and craft and health and fitness.
Minister Tierney also launched the 2019 Adult Community Education Victoria Conference today, and called on Victorians to nominate the learners and practitioners whose stories illustrate how adult and community education continues to transform lives right across the state.
Learners, teachers and community education providers can now nominate for the 2019 Victorian Learn Local Awards, which recognise and celebrate outstanding achievement among the state’s Learn Local organisations.
There are eight award categories available for nomination and awards participants have the chance to share in $72,000 in prizemoney.
Previous award winners include Aymee Schofield, who was unemployed and considering a career in nursing but lacked confidence. She did an eight-week pre-accredited Kick Start Your Career in the Health Centre course. Now, she’s a trainee with the Central Gippsland Health Service and is also undertaking a Certificate IV in Business.
The Labor Government has breathed new life into community based education, investing almost $400 million to strengthen the sector since 2014.
Projects to strengthen Victoria’s Learn Local organisations have included partnerships with TAFE to strengthen student pathways and support their learning, innovative employment programs and work with industry and community-led initiatives to support more Indigenous community members in adult community education.
Award nominations close at midnight on Friday 14 June, 2019.
As stated by Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney
“Learn Local organisations do such a fantastic job reaching out to different communities. The sector is full of unsung heroes and that’s why we have invested record funding to strengthen their work.”
“These awards shine a light on the expertise of educators, and the inspirational stories of people who have transformed their lives through community education.”
