Adult Learning Australia

Transcription

1 Adult Learning Australia The Rudd Labor Government commends the work of Adult Learning Australia and we are proud to be working with your organisation through the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR). The ALP welcomes the opportunity to outline what we have done in the last six years to reform the skills and training sector, and we look forward to working with you in the future to develop innovative programs to assist adult learners access education. Federal Labor has invested record amounts in targeted adult foundation skills training, including the Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) program that targets jobseekers ($597 million over four years from ) and the Workplace English Language and Literacy (WELL) program that targets existing workers ($129 million over four years from ). Only a Federal Labor Government will continue to invest in the skills and training Australians need. Adult literacy Federal Labor is extremely aware of the importance of adult learning and funds a number of programs directed at providing foundation skills for all Australians. The National Foundation Skills Strategy for Adults (NFSS) The Federal Government has in place a comprehensive strategy called the National Foundation Skills Strategy for Adults (NFSS), which has been agreed to by all state and territory governments. The strategy provides a framework to guide foundation skills development nationally over the next decade. The following programs are aimed at improving adult literacy and life skills: The Skills for Education and Employment Program (SEE) provides language, literacy and numeracy training to job seekers. Job seekers are referred to the Program by the Department of Human Services, and employment service providers including the Remote Jobs and Communities Program. The Workplace English Language and Literacy Program (WELL) encourages employers to invest in language, literacy and numeracy training, integrated with vocational training, to meet the employment and training needs of workers. Australian Apprenticeships Access Program (Access) supports vulnerable job seekers by providing them with pre-vocational training on an Australian Apprenticeship pathway, intensive job search assistance and post-placement support. N

2 Australian Labor Party - National Campaign Headquarters 2 The Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) provides English language courses to eligible migrants and humanitarian entrants and is administered by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. The National Training Entitlement Federal Labor has also put in place the National Training Entitlement that enables all working age Australians without a Certificate III or higher qualification to access a government-subsidised training place. At a minimum, all working age Australians will have the right to access government-subsidised training for: Their first Certificate III qualification. Certificate I or II qualifications, or foundation skills training such as language, literacy and numeracy training, if these courses form part of the Certificate III qualification. The National Training Entitlement varies across Australia to suit local needs and circumstances. VET FEE-HELP Those requiring financial assistance to study may be eligible for the Federal Government s Income Contingent Loan scheme in the VET sector, which has been expanded for Diploma and Advanced Diploma qualifications. VET FEE-HELP reduces upfront costs for students undertaking higher level qualifications by offering income-contingent loans for government-subsidised Diploma and Advanced Diploma students. Support for Language Literacy and Numeracy Practitioners - Scholarships Program The Language Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) Practitioner Scholarships Program is an annual grants program which seeks to assist in addressing the skill shortages by increasing the number of qualified LLN practitioners across Australia. Around 50 scholarships valued at $5,250 are awarded per annum. Since the Program s commencement in , 254 scholarships have been awarded. Round 4 of the Program is expected to be advertised in late September 2013 for study commencing in A re-elected Rudd Labor Government will continue to prioritise these programs within our broader skills and training agenda to help Australians get jobs, or learn new skills so they can get better jobs and receive a fair share.

3 Australian Labor Party - National Campaign Headquarters 3 Inquiry into Lifelong learning There has been no recent dedicated inquiry into lifelong learning conducted by the Australian Government. However, the Federal Labor Government provides annual funding to your organisation to carry out research into adult and lifelong learning across eight priority areas: Regional and rural Australia. Non-formal adult education. Engaging Indigenous Adults. Engaging disengaged young people. Building civic participation and a culture of lifelong learning. Engaging adults with low levels of literacy and numeracy. Later Life Learning. Business Sustainability for ACE / CET providers. We believe that organisations such as yours are best placed to carry out this research. As you would be aware the concept of learning towns and learning cities have been around in Europe since the mid-1990s, and the idea was trialled in Australia over a two year period from 2000 by the Bracks Labor Government in Victoria. The concept has received both praise and criticism, and success appears to be highly dependent on the level of enthusiasm demonstrated by the local government area. At this time the Federal Labor Government is not considering another trial of the program. Indigenous Adult Education Federal Labor is committed to Closing the Gap on the educational outcomes between Indigenous and other Australians, and has implemented programs generally available and others specifically targeted for Indigenous learners. Indigenous Employment Program All Australians are able to participate in the programs listed under the Adult Literacy section (except AMEP as it is for migrants only), although the WELL Program has an additional separate stream that supports pre-employment Indigenous Employment Program participants who need literacy and numeracy training. Through the WELL Program, the Federal Labor Government has funded a pilot project to determine whether an internationally successful mass literacy campaign model the Yes I can method can be deployed effectively in Australian Indigenous communities to improve literacy rates.

4 Australian Labor Party - National Campaign Headquarters 4 ABSTUDY Under support from Federal Labor an estimated extra 190,000 students will attend university in 2013 when compared to There were 36,232 more students from low socio-economic or disadvantaged backgrounds attending universities in 2012 than in In 2012, there were 12,595 Indigenous students attending our universities, up from 9,329 in 2007, an increase of 26 per cent. Since 2010 Federal Labor has introduced reforms that have led to a significant increase in the assistance available to these students, providing more support through Youth Allowance, Austudy and ABSTUDY than any Government before. Indigenous Support Fund We are also investing $1 billion over the next four years to ensure equity and access measures so that all students have the same opportunity to achieve at university. This includes funding for the Indigenous Support Fund. This funding is to encourage higher education institutions to enrol, support and address the needs of students from disadvantaged backgrounds or who have a disability or special need. Federal Labor will continue to work with Indigenous communities to develop the most effective programs to encourage and support Indigenous learners at all levels. Youth Engagement Federal Labor knows that our success as a nation is linked to the positive development of all young people. That s why we have made a multi-billion dollar investment in youth affairs, including more than $64 billion for schooling over four years, and investments in physical and mental health, tertiary and vocational education and community services. Step into Skills The Rudd Labor Government s recently announced Step into Skills Program is a new $35 million investment in foundation skills places for our young people. More than 8,900 disadvantaged and disengaged youth aged 16 to 24 will be provided with core employability skills under this Program. Under the Step into Skills Program, the Industry Skills Councils will be funded to develop appropriate Certificate II courses in key industries such as the traditional trades, caring, business services and retail. Existing Certificate II courses may also be assessed as suitable. We expect the majority of the training places will be delivered by TAFEs. Young adults are also eligible for all of the programs listed under the Adult Literacy section. Young adults are well represented in foundation skills programs with approximately: 64 per cent of Access participants are aged under 25 years, 25 per cent of SEE participants are aged under 25 years, and 22 per cent of all WELL participants are aged under 25 years.

5 Australian Labor Party - National Campaign Headquarters 5 In early 2012 the Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education (DIICCSRTE), in partnership with DEEWR, developed a pilot project for the dedicated delivery of the SEE Program for early school leavers. The SEE early school leavers pilot was designed to improve engagement, retention and learning outcomes. It also included providing work experience opportunities for participants, which is an existing component of the program, and building better relationships with employers in the area. New ways to deliver training were developed that move young people out of the standard classroom environment and into activities that are innovative and engaging while at the same time delivering educational outcomes. Youth Allowance, Austudy and ABSTUDY Since 2010 Federal Labor has introduced reforms that have led to a significant increase in the assistance available to these students, providing more support through Youth Allowance, Austudy and ABSTUDY than any Government before. These changes include increasing the parental income threshold, benefiting over 220,000 students (between July 2010 June 2013) who have received a higher payment or Youth Allowance for the first time. We also increased the amount students can earn before payments reduce from $236 to $405 per fortnight in 2013 (indexed to CPI) and changed the personal Income Bank so students can earn more at peak times, like university holidays, without being penalised. Federal Labor also lowered the age of independence from 25 to 22 years, benefiting 120,000 students (between April 2010 June 2013), including 86,000 who have been able to receive Youth Allowance for the first time. The number of higher education students receiving Youth Allowance increased by 38 per cent from March 2010 to March For regional students, that increase is even higher, at over 49 per cent. Start-up Scholarship and Start-Up Loan Federal Labor also established the Start-up Scholarship and Start-Up Loan, which has helped about 427,000 students hit the ground running with up-front expenses. In total Federal Labor provided record funding of $1.8 billion for Youth Allowance last year, and this is expected to increase to around $2 billion this year a 24 per cent increase in two years. Federal Labor has always stood for fairer, more accessible and higher quality education. A good education is the best creator of opportunity in our society. Learning for an Ageing Population Federal Labor believes that senior Australians should be supported to remain active and connected to their families, friends, communities and if they wish, to the workforce. That is why we established Australia s first national Age Discrimination Commissioner, expanded and improved our new Seniors Work Bonus and why we are committed to supporting seniors who

6 Australian Labor Party - National Campaign Headquarters 6 want to work, with investments in mature age employment and the establishment of an Advisory Panel on Productive Ageing. Productive Ageing through Community Education As you note, the Federal Government funds the Productive Ageing through Community Education (PAtCE) Program. This Program supports courses for senior Australians across a broad range of topics including health and fitness, IT skills, and artistic pursuits. The Program, which commenced in , offers between 50 and 200 small grants of between $5,000 and $20,000 per year. A re-elected Labor Government would assess the Program after a period and then make a decision to continue or expand the Program based on the outcomes achieved. Men s Sheds Federal Labor has and will continue to support Men s Sheds across the country. Minister Brendan O Connor recently committed $150,000 to assist with the construction of a new Men's Shed in the City of Gosnells in WA. Broadband for Seniors Program You may be aware of Federal Labor s Broadband for Seniors Program, a network of around 2,000 internet kiosks where seniors are provided with free internet access and computer training. More information is available at: Active Ageing projects In addition Federal Labor recently announced that a re-elected Rudd Labor Government will invest $20 million in Active Ageing projects to allow thousands more older Australians take part in learning and physical activities to improve their well-being. Grants will be available to community organisations and local governments for projects fostering healthy ageing. As you know, Active Ageing projects like exercise, learning activities, recreation, nutrition and other activities help older people enjoy better health and mobility and more independence. They allow seniors to stay engaged and connected to their communities. VET FEE-HELP Senior Australians wanting to undertake a new VET course can also access VET FEE-HELP, which reduces upfront costs for students undertaking higher level qualifications by offering incomecontingent loans for government-subsidised Diploma and Advanced Diploma students. Federal Labor values our senior Australians and will continue to support initiatives that allow them to remain engaged and making an active contribution to their community.

7 Australian Labor Party - National Campaign Headquarters 7 Learning in Regional and Rural Australia Australia requires a well educated population to maintain its long term social well-being and economic prosperity. High speed broadband delivered through Labor s NBN is transforming the education sector by creating sustainable, accessible models of learning and education for the future, and innovative ways of delivering education for those living in regional, rural and remote Australia. The National Broadband Network The NBN is especially important against a backdrop of a shortage of teachers in some disciplines. High speed broadband also allows greater collaboration and research within education sectors in our region and globally. Federal Labor s goal is that by 2020, Australian schools, Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) and higher education institutions will have the connectivity to develop and collaborate on innovative and flexible educational services and resources to extend online learning resources to the home and workplace and to offer students who cannot access courses via traditional means, the opportunity for online virtual learning. To help achieve this goal, the Federal Government will encourage states and territories to consider implementing innovative ways of delivering VET to a wider reach of working age Australians regardless of where they are located. Education Investment Fund The Education Investment Fund (EIF) is a major component of the Federal Labor Government's Education Revolution. The role of the EIF is to make strategically-focused infrastructure investments that will transform Australian tertiary education and research. In 2011, the Federal Labor Government announced funding of up to $500 million over five years for a Regional Priorities Round (RPR) of the Education Investment Fund (EIF) to support regional higher education institutions and Vocational Education and Training (VET) providers including TAFE - to improve their infrastructure, and help improve the quality of training and education regional students receive. Of the thirteen successful projects announced to date three have been granted to TAFE institutions in NSW and Queensland. The Federal Government has, and will continue to work with the State and Territory Governments to standardise the quality of VET education and the availability of subsidised courses through our $1.75 billion Skills Reform National Partnership.

8 Australian Labor Party - National Campaign Headquarters 8 Community Education Sector and Learning for Civic Participation Federal Labor supports lifelong learning and community based courses through the following initiatives: Tap into Learning Today (TILT) The TILT website ( provides a single entry point for sharing information, tools and resources relevant to the Adult Community Education (ACE) sector. It links service providers, potential learners, government and industry to resources and a wide range of community based learning activities. TILT is a joint initiative of Federal, State and Territory Governments. Adult Learners Week (ALW) The Rudd Labor Government is providing $277,400 for Adult Learners Week (ALW) national projects during Organisations are encouraged to apply for Federal Government funding to contribute to ALW s national presence and enhance community awareness of the role and importance of adult learning. Projects funded under this program will be strategic, national in approach, and may include some co-ordination or linking of ALW activities taking place at the state, territory or regional level. A re-elected Rudd Labor Government intends to continue funding this initiative. As mentioned in the Inquiry into Lifelong learning section, ALA have been funded to conduct research into building civic participation and a culture of lifelong learning. We look forward to the release of the report and considering the recommendations. Federal Labor is investing a record $14.3 billion over the next four years in skills and training like TAFE in the face of savage cuts by Coalition State Governments, because quality education and training is the key to a better job, a better career and a better pay packet. Only Federal Labor is committed to making the investment in education that Australia needs, and looks forward to working with yours and other similarly minded organisations into the future. Authorised and printed by G.Wright, Australian Labor Party, 5/9 Sydney Avenue, Barton ACT 2604 Australian Labor Party PO Box 6222 KINGSTON ACT 2604 T: E: campaign13@chq.alp.org.au