Aiming for a bright future
Alyssa Hand left school at 16 and has returned to study to become a youth worker. The ALW scholarship winner is passionate about the importance of helping disadvantaged young people believe in themselves.
Stories
Sparking a career
James Welch was determined to get the most of a 13 week SPARK jobseeker program and his determination and persistence paid off. He’s one of the winners of an Adult Learners Week scholarship.
Up for a challenge
When COVID lockdown ended Tracey Hosking realised how much she was dreading going back to her job of 14 years at a local store. She resigned and took up adult education and is loving her new career.
Launch kicks off Adult Learners Week
Simon Fenech hit rock bottom after his release from prison but it was a catalyst that took him in a new direction. Other guest speakers at the launch of ALW shared stories about the power of adult education.
DIY custom-made coffins
Discussions about death and dying are matter of fact in this coffin making class at West Moonah Community Shed in Hobart. Learning to make personalised caskets breaks down taboos and lowers funeral costs.
Click go the classroom shears
A sheep shearing course has turned life around for Lauren Stirling. She’s one of hundreds benefitting from a Victorian government initiative to address a shortage of shearers and improve access to quality training.
Getting somewhere
The Centre in Wangaratta has rebranded a traditional certificate course in general education for adults. The course encourages adult learners set their own educational and personal goals. And it’s getting great results.
Mentors drive success
Getting a driving licence is tough if you don’t have the money for lessons or someone who is willing to teach you. A learner driver mentoring program in Geeveston Tasmania is changing the lives of new drivers and their teachers.
Australia’s adult literacy crisis
For rugby union star Ian Roberts learning to read and write at age 36 was lifechanging. But for many adults who struggle with low literacy getting the help they need is not so straightforward.
Nautilus offers fresh start
Nautilus College an alternative high school in NSW is offering a fresh approach for young people disengaged from mainstream education, turning tales of truancy into stories of achievement and turning lives around.
COVID learnings
COVID19 has forced adult education organisations offering face to face classes to develop new ways of continuing to offer their services. Three organisations share what they learned from the COVID lockdown.
Headstones from the heart
A course in making headstones is inspiring local Indigenous people to craft personalised tributes to their loved ones. The course offers opportunities not just to learn new skills, but to engage in a process of healing.
The perfect pitch
A mentorship helped Chris Lombardo overcome her fear of public speaking and persuade an audience of philanthropists to fund her projects. She is one of 340 not for profit leaders that The Funding Network has connected with investors.
Leading in adult literacy
Victoria’s Learn Locals are crucial in improving adult literacy skills. But teaching literacy is a specialist skill and that there is a shortage of teachers equipped to do the job. A new training program aims to change that.
Community paper thrives
When the local newspaper office closed its doors in Guyra NSW in 2016, the town’s adult education centre set up a new paper. The Guyra Gazette has proved a hit. And producing it has been a learning experience for everyone involved.