Training Options and Opportunities in ACE For People with Disability Training Options and Opportunities in ACE for People with Disability

Training Options and Opportunities in ACE for People with Disability Opportunities exist for community colleges, TAFE NSW and ADHC service providers funded by the NSW Department of Human Services, Ageing Disability and Home Care (ADHC) to work together to increase the participation of people with disability in education and training. An initiative between ACE, ADHC and TAFE NSW is aimed at improving the referral options amongst ADHC funded service providers, community colleges and TAFE NSW. By working collaboratively, ACE and TAFE NSW can develop strategic networks that will maximise learning opportunities available in local communities and will enhance the capacity to address the lifelong learning needs of people with disability.

Training Options and Opportunities in ACE for People with Disability Community Colleges Adult and Community Education (ACE) providers are locally owned and managed colleges that provide a primary network for the delivery of community education throughout NSW including rural and remote areas. ACE providers are not-for-profit organisations receiving funding from the Department of Education and Training to support delivery of vocational education and training throughout the state. ACE providers are known as community colleges and under other names such as Workers Educational Associations (WEAs).

Training Options and Opportunities in ACE for People with Disability There are 49 ACE organisations throughout metropolitan and rural NSW. The ACE sector’s distinguishing features are its flexibility & accessibility for learning opportunities. In NSW in 2010 community colleges will provide over 6.5 million hours of tuition in over 550 locations in metropolitan and rural NSW.

Training Options and Opportunities in ACE for People with Disability Name of Program: ACE Social Inclusion Program Aims To promote and increase vocational education and training for those who experience barriers to training and employment and to socially excluded groups One of the groups which the ACE Social Inclusion Program targets includes people with disability who are unemployed or underemployed

Training Options and Opportunities in ACE for People with Disability Under the Social Inclusion Program people with disability can participate in training which is vocational and can include:  Accredited language and literacy delivery and/or  Other vocational training at Certificate III or above and/or  Non accredited vocational training or Certificate I or II training which can demonstrate pathways to higher level vocational training, higher level language and literacy qualifications and/or employment

Training Options and Opportunities in ACE for People with Disability Which community colleges deliver training under the ACE Social Inclusion Program? Community colleges in metropolitan and rural NSW that are funded under this program. ACE Funding timeframes In August each year the ACE Unit develops funding program guidelines and eligible ACE organisations can apply for funds for delivery under the Social Inclusion Program and other programs by completing an application form.

Training Options and Opportunities in ACE for People with Disability ACE organisations that apply for funds under the ACE Social Inclusion Program must send their applications to the ACE Unit by the nominated due date in September each year. Funding will not be provided for programs already funded by other agencies. Joint funding can be negotiated under partnering arrangements.

Training Options and Opportunities in ACE for People with Disability It is recommended that ADHC funded service providers and community colleges plan ahead and work collaboratively regarding potential training opportunities for people with a disability so that funding under the Social Inclusion Program or other programs can be considered. What fees are incurred to enrol in an ACE course under the Social Inclusion Program? Courses delivered under the Social Inclusion Program are subsidised by the Government. A small fee may apply, but this is at the discretion of each local college.

Training Options and Opportunities in ACE for People with Disability Name of Program: General VET Program aims Delivery of accredited and non accredited vocational education and training (VET) in metropolitan and rural NSW VET programs and activities can include:  a range of courses from as little as 20 hours up to a full qualification  units of competency from Training Packages  non accredited VET-flagged employment-related programs and activities  general and prevocational programs that may be designed as prerequisites to other vocational programs

Training Options and Opportunities in ACE for People with Disability Types of vocational courses delivered Vocational course delivery can range from Units of Competency to Certificates I-IV, Diploma and Advanced Diploma level. Some examples of courses include areas in:  Business Management (Front Line Management, Small Business, Human Resources, Business Administration, Workplace Training & Assessment)  Information Technology – (Introduction to Computers, Word Processing, Spreadsheets, Databases )

Training Options and Opportunities in ACE for People with Disability  Desktop Publishing & Graphics (Publisher, Adobe Indesign, Photoshop)  Website Design & Multimedia (Designing Websites, create web pages)  Hospitality (Responsible Service of Alcohol, Safe Food Handling)  Health & Welfare (Aged Care, First Aid, Assistant in Nursing, Children’s Services, Massage Therapy)  Accounting/Bookkeeping (MYOB)  Agriculture & Environmental (Chemical Users, Land Conservation & Management, Horticulture, Floristry)

Training Options and Opportunities in ACE for People with Disability What fees are incurred to enrol in an ACE course under General VET Programs? VET courses or non accredited courses which have a vocational intent are Government subsidised. However, fees do apply and these vary from college to college. Are there opportunities for ADHC service providers to access training under this program? Opportunities exist for ADHC service providers to access training for disability groups under the general VET programs.

Training Options and Opportunities in ACE for People with Disability Name of Program: Recreation and Leisure In addition to providing nationally-recognised training, community colleges also deliver a number of recreation and leisure programs. Some examples include: Art, Drawing and Painting Astronomy Ancient History Dancing (Ballroom & Latin) Car Maintenance Personal Development (anxiety and depression management)

Training Options and Opportunities in ACE for People with Disability Meditation (Yoga, Thai Chi) Music Appreciation (Beethoven’s symphonies, Handel – his life and music) Foreign Languages (French, Italian, Japanese, German) Photography (digital cameras) House & Garden (landscape & garden design, interior decorating) What fees are incurred to enrol in recreation and leisure programs? Recreation and leisure programs incur a fee for service. Talk to your local college for further information.

Training Options and Opportunities in ACE for People with Disability General Information What support services do ACE colleges provide for students with disability? The NSW Community Colleges Disability Charter promotes statewide best practice standards and processes to support the integration of learners with disability into mainstream community college courses on the same basis as other learners. The NSW Community Colleges Disability Charter can be accessed at The ACE sector has developed strategic partnerships with disability service agencies.

Training Options and Opportunities in ACE for People with Disability ACE Unit’s website Further information regarding community colleges and range of courses offered in metropolitan and rural NSW can be found on the ACE Unit’s website at Community Colleges Australia website Community Colleges Australia is the peak body for community colleges in NSW. Additional information including types of courses delivered in NSW and other states can be found at the Community Colleges Australia website at

Training Options and Opportunities in ACE for People with Disability Case studies – community colleges working with disability service providers Forster Tuncurry Community College Forster Tuncurry Community College has a strong history of providing services to those with a disability in the local community. The college has delivered IT courses for people with disability, with ACE Equity funding for 3 or 4 years. These were fully enrolled with a waiting list and feedback was always very positive. The college works with a range of disability service providers in the Great Lakes region routinely providing customised courses on request for organisations such as Life Without Barriers and Breakthru Employment.

Training Options and Opportunities in ACE for People with Disability Forster Tuncurry Community College (cont’d) The college also works with individuals and their support person to ensure access and equity to a course. For example the college provided a flexible learning process for a young man undertaking the Senior First Aid Course, the trainer provided further reasonable adjustment during the course and the college liaised closely with the support worker at Lifestyle Solutions. The college has the experience, culture and relationships with the local community and local organisations and, most important, commitment to the interests of people with a disability. The college collaborates effectively with ADHC service providers and provides activities for persons with disability in the Great Lakes area.

Training Options and Opportunities in ACE for People with Disability Murwillumbah Community College Murwillumbah Community College operates in a small community with approximately 11,000 adults in its catchment area. In % of course enrolments identified as having a disability which compares to the NSW ACE average of 4.8% in The college is very much focused on providing training to the social inclusion student group. The major disabilities that are dealt with relate to learning difficulties, mental health and drug and alcohol dependency. “The college offers the Certificate III in Disability course and this term is offering the course free to 4 students with a disability thanks to ACE social inclusion funding. One of the students enrolled in the course has a learning difficulty and will represent quite a challenge to our tutors and to her carers.

Training Options and Opportunities in ACE for People with Disability Murwillumbah Community College (cont’d) The college funds from its own resources and in partnership with Tweed Valley Respite, a Certificate in General Education for Adults (CGEA) literacy and numeracy course for people with intellectual disabilities. It is a small group and only comes to class for about 3 to 4 hours a week, but has become an important part of the College and important part of the students’ lives. The college is also very fortunate that the CEO of Tweed Valley Respite, Barb Carroll is on our College Management Committee. We are in regular contact with employment service providers who specialise in supporting people with a disability.”

Training Options and Opportunities in ACE for People with Disability St George & Sutherland Community College St George & Sutherland Community College (SGSCC) has a commitment to providing service users that are funded by Department of Human Services Ageing Disability & Home Care (ADHC) with the same opportunities as the rest of the community. All ADHC funded service users at SGSCC have an individual plan that is developed with each individual and that works towards providing the service users with the opportunity to learn, develop existing skills and have new learning opportunities.

Training Options and Opportunities in ACE for People with Disability St George & Sutherland Community College (cont’d) The types of Adult Community Education activities the young person will be involved in are dependent on their individual goals determined by the young person and their families in their individual plan. SGSCC being a mainstream adult education centre has the opportunity to provide each individual in the ADHC funded programs with a variety of general programs and courses at the College, TAFE, Leisure learning and across the community.

Training Options and Opportunities in ACE for People with Disability What opportunities are available in your community?