Year in review

Our vision

The vision of the Adult, Community and Further Education Board (the board) is that adult, community and further education (ACFE) develops the core skills Victorian adults need for study, work and life.

Our mission

The mission of the board is to lead literacy, numeracy, English language, employability and digital skills education and training for adult learners in Victoria.

Our values

In accordance with the Public Administration Act 2004, the board upholds the 7 core Victorian public sector values of:

• responsiveness
• integrity
• impartiality
• accountability
• respect
• leadership
• human rights.

Chairperson’s report

There is much to be proud of as the Learn Local sector continues to play its critical role in Victoria’s wider skills, training, higher education and employment architecture.

Learn Locals are unique in that they provide local, inclusive and flexible education and training opportunities. The distinct feature of Learn Local courses is that they respond to the learner and context. Learn Locals differ from mainstream post-compulsory education and training settings – it is this difference which makes a difference, to learners themselves and to the community.

Funding local, not-for-profit providers of foundation skills training allows adults (who have otherwise faced barriers to study, social and employment engagement and attainment) to receive the tailored support they need to progress towards their lifelong learning goals with confidence.

I’m immensely honoured to lead the board as Chairperson for my second annual report, and first full reporting period. I am also very pleased to have seen such great progress against the goals and aspirations of the Minister for Skills and TAFE’s Ministerial Statement, The future of adult community education in Victoria 2020–25. As we come towards the final period of both the Ministerial Statement and the board’s associated strategy, this report presents our progress and achievements in alignment with the Minister for Skills and TAFE’s aspirations. There are many people who contribute to the outcomes – with expertise, commitment and passion for Learn Local education and the values that the sector stands for. This progress would not have been achieved without the work of many.

During 2023–24, the Learn Local sector excelled in meeting its performance goals, showcasing its effectiveness in delivering local education, training and employment pathways solutions that effectively respond to and flexibly meet community expectations and needs.

A standout achievement was the 22% increase in pre-accredited enrolments. This emphasises the high demand and appreciation for responsive, community-based training that responds with agility to the diverse needs of adult learners throughout Victoria.

This exceptional performance reflects the sector’s ability to adapt to emerging educational demands and its commitment to providing accessible and relevant training opportunities for all Victorians. It also shows that the sector has recovered from recent disruptions to training delivery and take-up.

Key initiatives and achievements

We are dedicated to continuing to improve the impact of the Learn Local sector.

Responses to the Pre-accredited Learner Survey show learners' high levels of satisfaction with the training provided at Learn Locals as well as with the safe, inclusive and welcoming environment they offer, leading to far better completion rates than at TAFEs and other accredited training providers.

Additional funding in 2023–24 further enabled digital skills attainment and opportunities for families. New Family Learning Partnership projects have been approved to offer more learning opportunities for those who need extra support to engage, or stay engaged, while managing their domestic responsibilities.

Our partnership with the Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Incorporated (VAEAI) has been pivotal, resulting in new guidelines and resources to better support Aboriginal learners. It was a very proud moment for all when Koorie education in Learn Locals: Best practice and protocols was launched on 17 April 2024. Geraldine Atkinson, President of VAEAI, reminded us of the transformative power of education for everyone in the community when no one is left behind.

The board has worked closely with the sector to further progress an updated pre-accredited training model based on the 2013 Pre-accredited Quality Framework (PQF). Known as PQF+, it is aimed at placing educationally disadvantaged learners at the centre of the pre-accredited training system. Work is continuing to ensure that the model reflects the attainment of core language, literacy, numeracy, employability and digital skills in the learning, and contextualised to support the diversity of learners who access Learn Locals.

Building strong partnerships has been key to making our training programs even more relevant and effective. We have teamed up with TAFEs, dual-sector universities and employers to create initiatives such as Learn Local @ Work and Just in Time Industry Partnerships. These collaborations help ensure ongoing alignment of pre-accredited training with industry needs and improve training-to-employment outcomes for learners.

We have also set up new Industry Practice Networks. These connect Learn Local providers across the state with best-practice approaches to engaging with diverse sectors, such as construction, health and aged care, facilitating better industry engagement and knowledge-sharing.

Investing in our people is a top priority, which is why we’ve provided extensive professional development for Learn Local practitioners. More than 400 practitioners have benefited from training in digital skills, cultural competency and employability. We’ve also introduced the Professional Practice and Recognition Framework (PPRF) to ensure high-quality delivery of pre-accredited programs and to support long-term professional growth.

Our ‘Your Goals, Your Way’ promotional campaign, launched in February 2024, is the most substantial investment the board has made in publicising the value of the board’s work among potential learners and key stakeholders in the Victorian community. We know that our sector is a quiet one, but it is important to ensure that its value is clear to learners, industry and community members. We have already seen the impact of this investment in boosting the sector’s visibility and engagement by learners and key stakeholders. We will continue to refine this campaign to focus on specific priority groups, further strengthening our brand and value in the community.

We also continue to work closely with the sector to ensure we understand and respond to the needs of learners, providers, industry and community. We were pleased to participate in this year’s ACEVic Conference, which brought together provider representatives from across Victoria to share knowledge and skills. We are proud to have again sponsored the Community Training Provider of the Year Award at the Victorian Training Awards 2023 – another example of the role ACFE is playing in opening doors to further education and a brighter future.

Board and governance

The board has farewelled 2 key members and contributors to its strategic deliberations, Claudia Fatone and Win Scott. I join my colleagues in thanking them for their insightful contributions and wishing them all the best in future endeavours.

We have also been very lucky to welcome 2 new members. Kate Gaffney brings to the board a wealth of professional and lived experience in higher education, strategy, business and financial management, with a focus on enhancing opportunities for access and equity for regional and rural communities. Ann Maree Playfair also brings fantastic knowledge and experience of higher education, adult community education and TAFE, along with extensive volunteering and board experience, with a focus on the Hume regional area. I am so pleased to have such valuable new insights and discussions taking place because of these appointments.

We also farewelled Lisa Woolmer, Chairperson of the board’s Audit and Risk Committee from 2017 to 2023. Her extensive governance, risk and auditing experience led to improvements in risk management and audit oversight, and to reporting innovations, which together have strengthened the committee’s functions. We thank her for her commitment and wish her well in her future endeavours.

In early 2024, we welcomed Lisa Tripodi as the new Chairperson of the Audit and Risk Committee. Lisa brings specialised experience in audit, risk, fraud, compliance and governance. We look forward to working with Lisa and being guided by her knowledge.

Our focus remains on meeting ministerial expectations and delivering significant outcomes for adult learners and communities across Victoria. I am excited about the strategic opportunities ahead and look forward to continued collaboration with Learn Local providers and our broader Skills and Employment stakeholders to enhance the sector’s impact in coming years.

I also look forward to further strengthening partnerships with providers, industry and community. The professionalism that is harnessed through these collaborations, for the great benefit of learners, should not be underestimated. I thank all those who have been involved this year in the various important programs of work, such as pilots, forums, sector meetings and regional advisory council activities.

I would like to again thank the Hon Gayle Tierney, Minister for Skills and TAFE, for her unwavering commitment to the Learn Local sector and ensuring the board and regional councils are well supported to achieve such important outcomes for all Victorians.

Dr Teresa De Fazio OAM (MAICD)
Chairperson, ACFE Board

Our purpose and functions

The board was established as an authority under Victorian legislation in 1991. It performs important statutory functions under the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 to support the development of ACFE in Victoria.

The board has 5 broad functions:

• advisory – to advise the Minister for Skills and TAFE and, through the minister, the Victorian Government, on ACFE matters
• developmental – to foster and support research and the development of matters relating to ACFE. The board also evaluates and reports on policies, programs, resources and services developed for the coordination, provision, funding and support of ACFE
• strategic – to establish strategic objectives, priorities and targets of ACFE in relation to its leadership of ACFE and training provided in the post-secondary education system relating to ACFE. The board strategically plans policies, programs, resources and services for the coordination, provision, funding and support of ACFE, having regard to the economic and social benefits of ACFE to the Victorian community and the quality and equity of access to ACFE
• profiling – to advocate for and promote awareness of ACFE in the adult community education sector and the Victorian community
• registration – to register providers of ACFE for the delivery of education and training to the Victorian community and for the development of matters related to ACFE.

In performing these functions, the board pays close attention to providing equitable access to adult community learning opportunities for Victorians who have faced barriers to educational attainment. The board monitors the quality of education so that it remains relevant to specific community needs.

Adult community education in Victoria

The Victorian Government, through the board, registers and funds adult community education providers to deliver pre-accredited training through Learn Local courses to a broad range of adult Victorians, developing their core skills for study, work or life. Short courses are offered free or at low cost to eligible Victorians, with a focus spanning literacy and numeracy skills to job readiness and digital skills. Courses are delivered by experienced and dedicated trainers.

Learn Local courses contribute to learners’ wellbeing by building self-confidence and social engagement through positive learning experiences that lead to further study pathways or employment.

They also provide:

• more opportunities for economic participation
• stronger Victorian communities and economies, through greater workforce participation
• increased socio-economic resilience and improved mental health.

By strengthening the ability of adult Victorians to participate fully in Victorian communities, courses deliver the social and societal benefits of true citizen participation.

Adult community education providers delivering board-funded courses are part of the Learn Local sector, an essential part of Victoria’s post-secondary education and training system. The sector plays a vital role in providing pathways for adult learners to transition to employment and further training.

The Learn Local sector supports adult learners with diverse needs. Adults who are still developing core skills may not have completed secondary school or may not have been engaged in education for a considerable time. Some face other challenges in their lives, such as poor physical or mental health, disability, homelessness, housing instability, violence or discrimination. They may also have experienced long-term or generational unemployment.

The sector also supports people in the workforce who are vulnerable to job loss, particularly if their industry changes or is disrupted, such as when new technologies are introduced.

Learn Local providers take an informal, welcoming, flexible approach to learning. They are often the most suitable and accessible education and training option in the local community.

Learn Local providers are community-based, not-for-profit organisations. They range from large, sophisticated organisations with expertise in many areas to smaller organisations with expertise primarily in ACFE. Some Learn Local providers focus solely on delivering board-funded courses. However, the majority have much broader educational and service delivery responsibilities.

In 2024, there are 232 board-registered Learn Local providers, including AMES Australia.