Adult Community Education

The Hon. G.A. KANDELAARS (14:58): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills a question about adult learners.

Leave granted.

The Hon. G.A. KANDELAARS: It can be very difficult for people to find and keep a job if they have low levels of education or have low levels of skill, in particular using new technology. For many, it is a difficult step to undertake study if school or learning has been difficult in the past. Can the minister please advise the chamber of recent awards handed out to adult learners?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (14:59): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. As I have said before in the chamber, adult community education (ACE) is a very important first step or starting point for people to be able to see and realise their potential and ability to learn new skills and to participate in training. That is why this government has committed $11.7 million between 2010 and 2016 to assist around 1,500 people a year to participate in ACE programs in their local communities.

I was pleased to attend the Adult Learners' Week awards, where Joseph Petrizza of Smithfield was named Adult Learner of the Year. Father of two, Joe has overcome significant personal and family barriers to complete training and gain full-time employment with BoysTown's Social Enterprise Program. Joe said education has really been life changing for him, as he gained skills for employment and benefited from strong male mentors, something he says he never had previously. Joe also said that the first course inspired him and gave him a taste of learning. It elevated his self-confidence and helped to motivate him to pursue further study and full-time employment.

Joe was one of six winners recognised at the annual dinner and event. Other Adult Learners' Week award winners included: Aboriginal Learner of the Year (joint winners) Claude Evans of Yongala and Russell Weribone of Reynella; Adult Educator/Mentor of the Year was Sharon Jupp of Glandore; Learning Community of the Year was Coonalpyn Community Hub; and Adult Learning Program of the Year was the Adelaide Hills Council.

All of these winners are really inspiring examples of dedication and perseverance, and I applaud these individuals who have taken sometimes very daunting first steps. For some of us here, I do not think we appreciate the courage that it takes for some to take that first step. These are people who do not have supportive family and home lives, who do not have strong role models, and have never lived with any expectation of furthering themselves. It can often take a great deal of courage to take that first step.

As well, the educators and program developers make an enormous contribution. They show commitment and passion for the work that they do, and that work then guides the way for new skills development and mentoring. The theme for 2014 is community connections. It acknowledges the important role community organisations play in connecting people to volunteering, further study and training and employment. Adult Learners' Week promotes the benefits of adult community education, which can help people overcome educational, social and economic barriers to start training in a really supportive community setting.

It is anticipated that more than 4,500 people will participate in community-based foundation skills programs in 2014-15. Although the outcomes will always aspire to engage people in employment, often for these people there are many small steps to be taken along the way to increase that person's confidence and engage them in a series of skill acquisitions so that they are better prepared for the next learning step. For many, it is a long, hard journey and, as I said, it is often a journey that takes considerable courage.

The state government will invest more than $1.4 million in adult community education each year until 2016-17 for formal and informal learning delivered by organisations that are not-for-profit and community-based. I want to congratulate the winners and also thank and acknowledge the sponsors of these awards. They were sponsored by Flinders University, Training and Skills Commission, REDARC Electronics, Adult Learning Australia, Credit Union SA, the Department of State Development, the South Australia Council for Adult Literacy, and Haigh's Chocolates and, of course, TAFE SA. I congratulate all of those people who were involved in this year's awards.