Learn Local

History

The Learn Local network was launched in 2011 but the adult and community education sector was first formalised in 1947 when the Centre for Adult Education (previously known as the Council of Adult Education) was established under Victorian Government legislation to provide adult education. In the 1970s and 1980s, the Association of Neighbourhood Houses and Learning Centres began to offer learning programs for their communities. The majority originated out of the women’s movement and were staffed by and run for women. Many of these neighbourhood houses and community centres are now part of the Learn Local network.

Since 2008, Learn Local providers have expanded their delivery in regional communities to provide learners with more options to learn and train locally.

Education and Training

The education and training delivered by Learn Local organisations is grouped into pre-accredited and accredited courses. Learn Local organisations have to be Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) to offer accredited training resulting in qualifications equivalent to TAFE and private RTOs. Approximately 50% of Learn Local organisations are RTOs. All RTOs must meet the training requirements of the Australian Quality Training Framework. Learn Local organisations also provide childcare facilities, career advice, financial assistance or disability support services to help people undertake learning.

Pre-accredited training

Pre-accredited training includes short courses in communication, job seeking skills and literacy and numeracy.

Pre-accredited programs must meet quality standards set out in the Pre-accredited Quality Framework and are assessed by the ACFE Board, which is part of the Victorian Department of Education and Training (DET).

Accredited training

Completing an accredited training course results in a national qualification that is recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework. Learn Local organisations that are RTOs can offer certificates I, II, III and IV, diplomas and advanced diplomas in topics ranging from Children Services through to Rural Business Management. A number of Learn Local organisations also offer VCE and VCAL.

The list of courses available at Learn Locals can be broadly grouped into the following areas:

Learners

Over 54,000 Victorians enrol in a government subsidised course at a Learn Local organisation each year. Learners range in age from under 19 years of age to over 60 years of age. Many learners are from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, with over a third born overseas. At least half of the learners at Learn Local organisations have not completed Year 12. Learners who identify as having a disability make up almost a quarter of enrolments at Learn Locals. With the support of Learn Local organisations, individuals' lives are transformed, with many learning a new skill, gaining work and/or going onto further education pathways. Educators who work in Learn Local organisation settings report that disengagement from schooling and literacy and numeracy challenges are the main reasons that young people are accessing programs at Learn Local organisations. Educators who work in Learn Local organisation settings report that these young people are likely to have complex, interacting needs and challenges that have impacted on their capacity to participate in ‘mainstream’ education provision.

Funding

Learn Local organisations are funded by the ACFE Board on behalf of the Victorian Government to deliver pre-accredited training. Funding for accredited training is managed within the DET.

Learn Local organisations may also receive funding from other state and federal government departments and philanthropic organisations.

Local councils and Learn Local

Local councils in Victoria are supporters and promoters of Learn Local organisations in their local communities. The City of Knox and the City of Greater Dandenong are two examples of local councils actively promoting Learn Local.

Local council networks such as the Mornington Peninsula Network and the Casey Cardinia Learn Local Network are also supporters and promoters of Learn Local organisations in their respective municipalities. The Mornington Peninsula Network is an alliance of seven Learn Local organisations located across the Mornington Peninsula. Similarly, the Casey Cardinia Learn Local Network is a group of adult education organisations located across the South-East of Victoria. The Learn Local organisations within each network provide a range of accredited, pre-accredited, employment pathways and short courses.

Victorian Learn Local Awards

The Victorian Learn Local Awards are held annually by the ACFE Board to recognise the efforts of learners, practitioners, training providers and their partners in the Learn Local education and training network.

The 2014 Learn Local Award winners were announced by the Minister for Higher Education and Skills, the Hon. Nick Wakeling, MP, at a presentation dinner on Thursday 28 August. There were winners in a number of categories, as outlined below:

Outstanding Pathways Program

Emerging Cultural Leaders Program, Footscray Community Arts Centre

Outstanding Learner

Lisa Stimson, LINK Neighbourhood House, Kaniva

Outstanding Practitioner

Tony Senese, Prahran Community Learning Centre Inc

Excellence in Creating Local Solutions

Wyndam Community and Education Centre

Innovation in Digital Literacy

Traralgon Neighbourhood House

Learn Local for Business

Kyabram Community and Learning Centre

Learn Local Legends

Noweyung, Ballarat Neighbourhood Centre, Southern Grampians Adult Education, Shepparton Access, Sandybeach Centre, Upper Yarra Community House, Campaspe College of Adult Education (CCAE) and Kensington Neighbourhood House.

The 2015 Learn Local Award winners were announced by The Minister for Training and Skills, the Hon. Steve Herbert MP and the Acting Chair of the ACFE Board, Ron Wilson on Thursday, 10 September. The winners are listed below.

Outstanding Practitioner

Karen Fleischer, Paynesville Neighbourhood Centre

Outstanding Learner

Karen Hokai, East End Community House

Excellence in Creating Local Solutions

BizE Centre, YouthNow

Learn Local for Business

Barker Trailers and Kyneton Community and Learning Centre

Outstanding Pathways Program

Creating Pathways into the Community, Shepparton Access

AMES Diversity Innovation Award

Job Ready, Lifestyle and Karen Language programs, Nhill Learning Centre

Learn Local Legends

Portland Workskills, Pines Learning, Buchan Neighbourhood House, Meredith Community Centre, Pangerang Community House, Kyneton Community and Learning Centre, Wyndham Community and Education Centre, Port Melbourne Neighbourhood Centre

The 2016 Learn Local Award winners were announced by The Minister for Training and Skills, the Hon. Steve Herbert MP and the Chair of the ACFE Board, Sue Christophers on Thursday, 8 September. The winners are listed below.

Outstanding Practitioner

Marj Sjostrom, Keysborough Learning Centre

Rowena Allen Award – Recognising Pre-accredited Learner Excellence

Matthew Agostinelli, Diamond Valley Learning Centre

Excellence in Creating Local Solutions

BA@Wyndham – Wyndham Community and Education Centre

Outstanding Pathways Program

Port Melbourne Neighbourhood Centre

AMES Diversity Innovation Award

CALD Education & Employment Pathways, Ballarat Neighbourhood Centre

Learn Local Legends

Djerriwarrh Community & Education Services, Macedon Ranges Further Education, Glen Eira Adult Learning Centre, Gippsland Employment Skills Training, Vermont South Community House, Myrtleford Neighbourhood Centre, Nhill Learning Centre, Bellarine Living & Learning Centre