Adult and Community Education (ACE)

What is ACE?
How ACE contributes to access and equity in vocational education and training (VET)
Western Australia ACE Strategy
Adult and Community Education Grants
Adult Learners' Week
ACE and GST
Read Write Now!
Publications
Links

What is ACE?

Adult and Community Education (ACE) in Western Australia is community-focused learning delivered through a diverse range of programs and activities. It encompasses learning activities that are non-accredited and non-formal in nature and which contribute to the development of a person’s skills and knowledge, and encourage social participation. It also encompasses a range of accredited formal courses for those looking for a pathway to re-enter or re-engage with education, training and employment.

ACE, through the provision of both accredited and non-accredited learning experiences, has a demonstrated ability to:

• increase participation in community and work life through learning activities that foster personal development
• build pathways for adults of all ages into further education, training and/or employment through language, literacy, numeracy and other access programs providing education, self-management and work readiness skills
• provide people who are marginalised or disadvantaged with opportunities to learn and achieve, often with community organisations working together to deliver programs.

In Western Australia ACE is provided by a large number of community organisations, generally, but not exclusively, non-government, non-profit organisations under local community management. Some of the major ACE providers in Western Australia include public providers (Polytechnic West, Challenger Institute of Technology, Central Institute of Technology, West Coast Institute of Training), senior colleges (Tuart and Canning Colleges), libraries, universities, job centres, ethnic associations, seniors education associations (such as University of the Third Age (UWA) and Mature Adults Learning Association (MALA) Inc) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, community neighbourhood houses and learning centres and environmental groups. Adult and Community Education options for learners in rural and remote areas have been increased with the establishment of the community-focused and managed Community Resource Centre Network (formerly Telecentre Network).

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How ACE contributes to access and equity in vocational education and training (VET)

• The unique characteristics of ACE and non-competitive learning environments encourage participation of individuals who may not otherwise engage in education or training. ACE courses provide positive and relevant learning experiences which assist participants to develop the skills, knowledge, motivation and confidence to access and achieve within vocational education and training.
• As well as providing awareness of learning opportunities beyond ACE, these courses play an important role in developing literacy, numeracy and other study skills necessary for participation in VET. ACE courses can assist people with meeting entry to VET courses through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and accredited access and bridging programs which include accredited literacy and basic education programs; English language programs; and programs tailored for women, Aboriginal people and people with a disability.
• As the focus of ACE programs is on the needs of the learner they can be developed and targeted to increase the participation of under represented groups in further training by recognising and addressing their educational, financial and demographic characteristics.

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Community learning in focus: a strategy for Adult and Community Education in Western Australia (2009-2018)

The Department of Training and Workforce Development, in conjunction with the Department's former ACE Advisory Committee and the broader ACE community, developed Community learning in focus: a strategy for Adult and Community Education in Western Australia (2009-2018). The new strategy, launched at the Adult Learners' Week awards night (29 August 2009), by the Minister for Training, sets the following goals:

• ACE is an integral part of the broader Western Australian learning and training culture.
• Learning outcomes delivered by ACE are valued, promoted and recognised.
• The capacity of ACE providers is strong and meets the diverse needs of learners.

To view Community learning in focus: a strategy for Adult and Community Education in Western Australia (2009-2018) click here.

The State strategy relates closely to the national 2008 Ministerial Declaration on ACE. To view the national Ministerial Declaration click here.

For further information contact:
Tracey Coatsworth
Senior Policy Consultant
Equity and Participation
T: 08 6551 5512
E: tracey.coatsworth@dtwd.wa.gov.au

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Adult and Community Education Grants

The aim of the Adult and Community Education Grants program is to expand the participation of under represented groups in adult and community education activities. Adult and Community Education (ACE) in Western Australia is community-focused learning delivered through a diverse range of programs and activities. The ACE grants program supports learning activities that are non-accredited and non-formal in nature and which contribute to the development of a person's skills and knowledge, and encourage social participation.

One-off ACE grants of up to $15 000 are offered on an annual basis. Applicant organisations must be based in Western Australia.

The Call for Applications for 2012 ACE grants was advertised on Thursday 27 October 2011 for grants of up to $15 000 to increase participation of under-represented groups in adult and community education in your community. Documentation was available on the Tenders WA website. Applications closed 4:00 pm Thursday 17 November 2011.

To view the projects funded for 2011 click here.

For more information contact:
Jo Shiels
Project Officer
Procurement Strategy
Service Resource Management
T: 6551 5347
E: jo.shiels@dtwd.wa.gov.au

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Celebrated nationally each year from 1 - 8 September, Adult Learners' Week (ALW) provides an opportunity to celebrate, promote and highlight the value of all forms of adult learning in the community.

In Western Australia, the Department of Training and Workforce Development provides grants to recognise and promote adult learning during this week.

Grants of between $2,500 - $5,000 have been offered in two categories:

• Community Activity; and
• Awards Event.

The focus will be on community partnership arrangements to provide maximum participation in metropolitan and regional areas.

The grants closed at 12 noon Monday, 9 May 2011.

To view the activities funded for 2011, click here.

For more information contact:
Jenny Sutherland
Programs Branch
Service Resource Management
T: 08 6551 5346
E: Jenny.Sutherland@dtwd.wa.gov.au

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ACE and GST

Adult and Community Education (ACE) in Western Australia is community-focused learning delivered through a diverse range of programs and activities. It encompasses learning activities that are non-accredited and non formal in nature and encourage social participation. It also encompasses a range of accredited formal courses for those looking for a pathway to re-enter or re-engage with education, training and employment.

Non-accredited ACE falls outside of the Australian Qualifications Training Framework (AQTF) and does not lead to a recognised accredited award. Whilst accredited training is automatically GST free, non-accredited training delivered under the ACE banner is not.

Key points in determining ACE courses as a GST free supply: The following is taken from A New Tax System (GST) Act 1999 and should be read in conjunction with other related clauses, definitions and determinations.

1. That the course is likely to add to the employment related skills of the majority of people undertaking the course.
2. The course must be available to adults in the general community.
3. That the provider is:

• a higher education institution; or
• recognised by the State as a provider of ACE courses (as determined by the Act); or
• funded by the State to conduct ACE courses; or
• a body corporate that operates on a not-for-profit basis, and has not been refused recognition, or disqualified, by a State or Territory authority as a provider of courses... on the basis of failing to meet or maintain the standards required by that authority.

ACE organisations are able to apply to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for a private ruling of their courses. Each provider and each course will be judged on its own merit upon application to the ATO. These private rulings are free of charge and can be made via the website www.ato.gov.au under rulings.

For further information on the standards required for GST free education or applying for a ruling contact the ATO on 13 28 66.

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Read Write Now!

Poor literacy is an issue that is likely to affect a significant proportion of the adult population in Western Australia.

In recognition that many individuals may require or prefer individual assistance to develop their literacy and numeracy skills, the Department of Training and Workforce Development provides funding for the Read Write Now! program which delivers informal, non-accredited tuition usually on a one-to-one basis.

The tuition is delivered by trained volunteers to individuals as a community service, and while there may be some employment-related outcomes, the service is one which is primarily servicing the broader educational and social needs of individuals.

An important principle of the Read Write Now! Program is that the student is the person who requests assistance from the service, and participates voluntarily. The Read Write Now! program delivers outcomes that are determined by each student's learning goals and motivation for joining the Program.

To find out more about the Read Write Now! program click here.

Publications

Department of Education and Training 2009, Community learning in focus: a strategy for Adult and Community Education in Western Australia (2009-2018), Department of Education and Training, East Perth, WA
Daniel, D, Mitchell, G, Shearwood, W and Learning Centre Link 2001, Partnerships… the Way to Go, Department of Training, East Perth, WA
Golding, B, Brown, M, Foley, A and Harvey, J 2009, Men's learning and wellbeing through community organisations in Western Australia: Report to the Western Australia Department of Education & Training, University of Ballarat, Ballarat, Victoria
Ministerial Council for Vocational and Technical Education 2008, Ministerial Declaration on Adult Community Education, Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, Canberra, ACT

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Links

Adult Learning Australia Inc
T: 03 9652 0861
Wednesday to Friday
W: ala.asn.au

Canning College
T: 08 9351 5600
W: canningcollege.com

Council on the Ageing (WA) Inc.
T: 08 9321 2133
W: cotawa.org.au

Department of Regional Development and Lands
Community Resource Network (formerly telecentres)
T: 08 6652 4463 or freecall 1800 735 784 (country only)
W: rdl.wa.gov.au

Department of Training and Workforce Development

Aboriginal Workforce Development Centres
Perth: T: 08 9224 6535, 08 9224 6587 or freecall 1800 441 043
Regional: Broome T: 08 9192 6763; Bunbury T: 08 9791 4813;
Geraldton T: 08 9964 6345; Kalgoorlie T: 08 9091 3560
Career Centre
T: 13 23 98
Workforce Development Centres
(across Western Australia)
T: 13 64 64
W: dtwd.wa.gov.au

Linkwest Incorporated
T: 08 9228 9000
W: linkwest.asn.au

Mature Adults Learning Association (MALA) Inc
T: 08 9444 4902; 08 9375 9286; 08 9387 8005
Peel campus group
T: 08 9535 5207 or 08 9581 9636
W: perthmala.org.au

National Institute for Adult Continuing Education (NAICE)
W: niace.org.uk

State Training Providers (metropolitan):
Central Institute of Technology
Challenger Institute of Technology
Polytechnic West
West Coast Institute of Training

Tuart College
T: 08 9242 6222
W: tuartcollege.wa.edu.au

University of the Third Age (UWA)
T: 08 6488 1857
Office: Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings
W: u3auwa.org

The University of Western Australia
- UWA Extension
T: 08 6488 2433
W: extension.uwa.edu.au

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