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$150,000 community education boost in Melbourne’s east

Wednesday, 16 November 2011

Minister for Higher Education and Skills Peter Hall and the Member for Forest Hill Neil Angus have announced a $150,000 grant to help disengaged young people in Whitehorse and Boroondara back into education and training.

The funding, part of Round 2 of the Victorian Coalition Government's $3.78 million Capacity and Innovation Fund, will be used by Avenue Neighbourhood House in Blackburn South, Hawthorn Community House, and Donvale's Pines Learning to run their Eastern Youth Learning Partnership program.

The first round of Capacity and Innovation funding saw grants totalling $4.2 million awarded to 115 Learn Local organisations across the state to support adult and community education and training.

Speaking at Avenue Neighbourhood House, Mr Hall said adult and community education played a vital part in Victoria's education and training system.

"Education and training is the key to a better life and greater career options," Mr Hall said.

"It is important to support our young people, who for various reasons have become disconnected from education and training, to take on new and enriching education and training opportunities.

"Avenue, Hawthorn Community House, and Pines Learning will be able to use this funding to increase alternative education options for disadvantaged youth as well as strengthening the relationship between education and training providers in the area," Mr Hall said.

Mr Angus praised the important work undertaken by the three organisations.

"Community and adult education helps disengaged people find their feet and make a real contribution to Victoria's social and economic success and to their own lives," Mr Angus said

Mr Angus said there were 320 Learn Local organisations across Victoria providing training to more than 100,000 people each year.

"Learn Local organisations, like Avenue, focus on engaging hard-to-reach learners across Victoria and provide a real education alternative for their students, regardless of their age or personal circumstance.

Other organisations participating in the Eastern Youth Learning Partnership program include Upper Yarra Community House Inc, Inner Eastern Local Learning and Employment Network, Gateway Local Learning and Employment Network and the City of Whitehorse Youth Services.

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