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Multi-Million Dollar Boost For Learn Local Providers

03 September 2019

The Andrews Labor Government is helping early school leavers, unemployed Victorians and women looking to re-enter the workforce get the training they need, with a $2.8 million boost for Learn Local providers across Victoria.

Minister for Training and Skills and Higher Education Gayle Tierney joined Member for Footscray Katie Hall at Duke Street Community House to celebrate Adult Learners Week and announce the latest round of Learn Local grants through the Capacity and Innovation Fund.

Around 60 projects will benefit from the funding, including programs to help newly arrived migrants get training and find employment, and mentoring programs to help women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds start their own microbusinesses.

Duke Street Community House has received $45,000 to develop the All Abilities Pathways Initiative – a peer-education training workshop for learners with disability. The six peer educators who completed the workshop used their new skills and experience living with a disability to design and facilitate the Taking the Next Steps program.

Taking the Next Steps helps people with disability who face barriers to education and employment set goals and gain confidence to move into further training. Around 80 per cent of program participants reported greater confidence after completing training.

All six peer educators who participated in the All Abilities Pathways Initiative are now in employment, further training, or volunteering.

Adult Learners Week promotes the benefits of learning and is celebrated with hundreds of events and activities.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Training and Skills and Higher Education Gayle Tierney

“Learn Locals provide Victorians with the opportunity to take their first step in training and on the path to a job – they are a crucial part of the training system and work at the grassroots of our communities.”

“Adult Learners Week celebrates the great work underway right across the state to give Victorians the education opportunities they deserve.”

Quote attributable to Member for Footscray Katie Hall

“We’re funding Learn Locals like Duke Street Community House to help these providers to transform lives through education.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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