More than $5 million in funding from the Australian Government has been unlocked under the National Skills Agreement (NSA) to lift foundation skills statewide, delivering greater access to adult community education (ACE) and fee-free foundation skills.
In addition, the South Australian Government is investing a further $9 million over three years for 22 organisations across Adelaide and regional South Australia to deliver more fee-free training places in ACE projects. This represents a total $14 million joint investment to 2027-28 to deliver up to 12,000 training places.
A 2024 survey by the Australian Industry Group found nearly 90 per cent of Australian businesses are suffering productivity issues owing to low levels of language, literacy, numeracy and digital literacy among workers.
Almost 44 per cent of the adult population find everyday reading and writing challenging, and about 160,000 Australian job seekers say they have difficulty with English language needs or completed less than year 10 schooling.
ACE offers a community-based learning environment for people to build and develop language, literacy, numeracy and digital skills, supporting pathways into vocational education, training or employment.
Foundation Skills is a key policy initiative under the NSA to ensure that no Australian is left behind or held back as the economy transitions and adapts to structural change.
Research shows that low foundation skills increase a person’s vulnerability and negatively affects business productivity, while improving foundation skills delivers a productivity boost in the workplace and increases a person’s likelihood to earn more, and in the long run, increases GDP.
MarionLIFE, a community hub in Adelaide’s south, is one of 22 South Australian community centres that will deliver ACE projects over the next three years.
They have received up to $564,000 and 450 ACE training places over the next three years for projects including English language and literacy skills for study and employment, digital skills, communication skills, horticulture and gardening, cooking, customer service skills and small business and entrepreneur skills.
MarionLIFE Community Centre CEO Brett Manuel said Adult Community Education courses have been offered at MarionLIFE and partner community centres nearby for 15 years, successfully helping people gain confidence, upskill and prove their proficiency in their journey to further study or employment.
“Adult Community Education is fundamental to our programs where we are actively working alongside community members to build their skills, resilience and networks and provide pathways to further education, their own business or employment,” he said.
“We have a wonderful range of community members from young people right through to mature adults, people new to Australia and those who are rebuilding their lives after periods of isolation.”
The NSA is a five-year $2.3 billion joint agreement between the Australian and South Australian Governments to deliver high-quality, responsive and accessible VET that boosts productivity and lifts skill levels.
