10 Oct Encouraging news for literacy educators
Image: The Hon Brendan O’Connor, the Commonwealth Minister for Skills and Training
One of the highlights of the Community Colleges Australia (CCA) Rebuilding Community conference held on 13/14 September was a video address by the Hon Brendan O’Connor, the Commonwealth Minister for Skills and Training. In his message he said “Providing stronger support for foundation skills and ensuring access for all Australians is a top priority for my Government. Foundation skills do what the name implies. They lay the foundation for people to fully participate in their community. Without solid foundations people’s lives can lack stability and security.”
He went on to say “We know for many people, it’s a lack of foundation skills – language, literacy, numeracy, digital literacy – that impairs their ability to succeed in study and participate in the labour market. There are many reasons why foundation skills are lacking and we therefore need to reinvigorate our efforts to support workers and vulnerable Australians to gain secure employment.”
Minister O’Connor announced a comprehensive review of foundation skills programs through an advisory body he is establishing. “To allow time for this work to occur I have also extended the current Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) program contracts by a year, to 30 June 2024,” the Minister said.