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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-03-14 Daily Xml
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ADULT COMMUNITY EDUCATION

Ms THOMPSON (Reynell) (14:28): My question is to the Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills. Can the minister inform the house what the state government is doing to improve adult community education across South Australia?

The Hon. T.R. KENYON (Newland—Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for Recreation and Sport) (14:29): I thank the member for Reynell for her question. I have been very pleased to work with the member for Reynell on adult community education over the last few months. She has quite a strong advocacy for it, and it has been a joy to work with her.

The state government is committed to developing adult community education and training in South Australia. It recognises the valuable contribution that the sector makes to the lives of individuals, communities and the broader community. Over the next year, the state government has committed approximately $3.25 million to support more than 80 community-based, not-for-profit organisations to deliver accredited and non-accredited training. This will see more than 14,000 participants enrolled in programs across the state. Adult community education organisations are invited to apply for grants of up to $25,000 to deliver programs that provide for people engaging or re-engaging in learning.

We know there are many South Australians who face a number of challenges entering the labour market. In many cases, the most significant barrier preventing these people from participating in the workforce is their literacy and numeracy skills. That is why we are also offering grants of up to $50,000 for accredited foundation programs. These are programs which integrate the development of literacy and numeracy skills and education—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! It is very difficult to hear.

The Hon. T.R. KENYON: —and improved pathways to further learning and work. Adult community education provides not only employment and skill development but also significant personal outcomes that cannot be measured and do, in a very real way, impact on the very quality of life and confidence of every individual.

Over six years, the state government will invest more than $6 million across South Australia to support an additional 6,000 foundation skills training places aimed at increasing adult literacy and numeracy skills. I commend the adult community education sector for its important role in developing the literacy and numeracy skills of people choosing to start their training journey. I call on all applicable organisations to consider applying for the current round of Adult Community Education Grants, which is open until Friday 13 April this year.

The SPEAKER: Members, you might like to note the exemplary behaviour today of the member for Unley. I think perhaps we should make a permanent arrangement for him to have his mother in the gallery, and I might also make arrangements for other mothers to be present in the gallery. I think my job would be a lot easier. Welcome. The member for Davenport.

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