2024 Victorian Learn Local Awards finalists

Amisa emigrated to Australia in 2023 from Congo with her mother and 9 siblings. Despite all the stresses, including the loss of her father, the language barrier and financial constraints, Amisa set about establishing a good life in Australia. She enrolled in the EmpowerU: Bridging Futures Endeavor Program at Cultura Settlement Services, which equipped her with literacy, numeracy and English skills so she could pursue further education.

With determination she embraced every opportunity. She got involved in local initiatives such as tree planting and recycling workshops and integrated her cultural insights into the activities, contributing to a richer community dynamic.

Mastering English made her confident to speak at events like Refugee Week where she inspired others with her story and positioned herself as a community leader and advocate. Now Amisa is enrolled in Certificate III in Individual Support. Her resilience and dedication to learning and service exemplifies the transformative power of education.

Hayley’s life blossomed when she embarked on the Introduction to Floristry, a pre-accredited program developed at Orbost Education Centre. The course caters for vulnerable people including young women seeking re-entry to the workforce and early school leavers. Hayley enrolled after escaping domestic violence that left her feeling defeated and scarred. The floristry course provided her with the tools to take control and transform her life.

Through activities such as role-based exercises, she developed the ability to relate to others and the confidence and knowledge to advise customers. She was meticulous in her practical activities, took pride in sharing knowledge among her peers and was highly regarded for her flower arrangements in the Certificate II in Floristry (Assistant).

The difficult past is now a shadow. Hayley learnt to communicate effectively and participate not only in the world of floristry and retail but life. She’s currently enrolled in Certificate III in Floristry at Melbourne Polytechnic.

Paw Say Paw arrived in Australia from a refugee camp in Thailand in 2022 and wasted no time in embracing life in her new home. A week after arrival, she enrolled in English beginners’ class at the Centre for Participation. For Paw Say Paw, 2023 would be a year of great achievements as she undertook 3 life-changing educational opportunities.

Boldly immersing herself in social situations where English was spoken, Paw Say Paw learnt English quickly. She enrolled in the basic computer course and attended a sewing class. Because she enjoyed sewing, she enrolled in a micro business course, which supported her to create a sewing business specialising in making hats and bags. She gained confidence and made friends.

On graduation day, Paw Say Paw showcased her new business and dedicated her first creations to her teachers. Continuing into further studies, Paw Say Paw has a scholarship to study individual support at Federation University.

Sid didn’t achieve as he would have liked in school. When he enrolled in the pre-accredited program Assistance Language Literacy including Numeracy (ALLiN) at Gippsland Employment Skills Training (GEST), he was keen to address his educational gaps and increase his Indigenous community connections. Taking that step into the course was at first daunting, but Sid showed remarkable commitment to continuous learning and self-improvement.

ALLiN helps people with low literacy and numeracy skills build confidence and competence in basic reading, writing, spelling, numeracy, digital learning and time management. Sid thrived and led class projects, organising tasks and ensuring everyone worked together effectively.

Gaining new skills and knowledge boosted his self-confidence to build positive relationships with workmates, friends and family. His successes inspired others in his community to take up training. After completing ALLiN, he secured employment with Gippsland Land Services and has his sights fixed on a course in advanced security training.

Ani’s early years in war-torn Syria were difficult. Her father died when she was 10 and she had to leave school at 13. On arriving in Australia with her husband and child, she was committed to establishing a successful future and embarked on the Business Essentials course delivered by Cloverdale Community Centre in partnership with employment and education organisation Northern Futures. Studying while managing work and a young family was challenging, but she achieved enormous growth.

Business Essentials builds literacy, numeracy, digital, workplace health and safety, and employability skills. Ani demonstrated advanced organisational ability and learnt to work in a team. Devoted to her studies, she improved her English and through interacting with a multicultural group, learnt to trust people again. At work, her manager encouraged her to study migration law, which she did concurrently. Devoted to helping people, she now has a permanent position as a Visa Support Worker.

Amanda was determined to change her life after experiencing a rare medical condition that affected her mobility and led to homelessness. With great determination and resilience, she participated in the pre-employment preparation program Stepping Forward for Work at WCIG, an organisation offering training and employment services for people facing disadvantage. Stepping Forward for Work provided Amanda with the confidence and ability to achieve her goals and gain employment.

Dedicated to personal and professional growth, Amanda applied herself to improving her foundation and interpersonal skills. In classes, she developed the confidence to take on a leadership role, fostering a collaborative spirit in group activities and supporting fellow learners.

Amanda’s journey through the Stepping Forward for Work program was transformative. She graduated with strategically set goals in place and secured employment as an assistant administrator. Her experience of overcoming her struggles ignited a passion for supporting vulnerable people and she’s now completing a Certificate III in Community Services.

Before embarking on Laverton Community Education Centre’s pre-accredited Kitchen Operations for Life and Work program, Hayley was introverted and found it difficult to communicate with others. She had an intellectual disability and achieving paid, mainstream employment seemed an unattainable goal. But Hayley loved to cook and undertaking the course was transformative for her.

Kitchen Operations for Life and Work was developed for learners with an intellectual disability or cognitive impairment. It focuses on food planning, preparation and budgeting for domestic and employment contexts. Hayley’s teacher could see that she had huge potential and with gentle encouragement, she emerged from her protective shell and became an active and engaged participant with an exceptional work ethic.

Determined, Hayley worked hard to develop the key skills for hospitality work. After completing a placement in the kitchen at a children’s centre, the organisation immediately employed her. Now she works independently preparing children’s snacks, something no one thought possible.

Lewis was born with a speech impediment that made it difficult for him to put complete sentences together. After leaving school, he was unemployed until he encountered the Introduction to Disability Support with the Christie Centre where he found his vocation. The course opened up a wealth of opportunities that impacted his professional life, personal relationships and wellbeing.

Lewis worked hard on his digital and literacy skills so he could confidently interpret and complete industry-specific documentation. His communication skills improved significantly as he became more aware of how tone of voice, pace of speech and style of communicating impact people with disabilities. He also discovered his gift for de-escalating challenging behaviours. On requesting to be trained in Positive Behaviour Support, he was employed in a small, specialised team supporting people with complex behaviours at the Christie Centre and completed his Certificate IV in Disability at RMIT. Lewis is passionate about helping people with disabilities achieve their goals.

After graduating as an English as an Additional Language teacher, Petra reflected on the great support she received when she arrived in Melbourne as a 12-year-old Czechoslovakian refugee. She was inspired to pursue a career in the Learn Local sector by an exceptional teacher who nurtured her love of language. This was her opportunity to pay forward the gift of education for her community.

Petra teaches pre-accredited conversation classes for culturally diverse learners at Cheltenham Community Centre (CCC) where she focuses on improving English listening and speaking skills. This eases integration and can lead to further education and employment. She also encourages volunteering in CCC enterprises to provide work experience and employment references. Bringing a dynamism to her teaching, Petra provides diverse opportunities in an encouraging and inclusive environment, both inside and outside the classroom. Learners can enjoy excursions around Melbourne, being introduced to local culture to become participants in Australian life.

Karina is a dedicated lead trainer for pre-accredited courses at Cire Services. In 2023, she delivered empowering programs for vulnerable people: Future4me for life skills, Smart Money for financial literacy, Women’s Warehouse, Blokes on Board and Tech Hub computer skills course. Karina continuously develops new strategies to engage learners, ensuring that her classes are dynamic and captivating.

In the spirit of ‘whatever it takes’, Karina provides every opportunity for learners to succeed, whether it be teaching financial literacy in a shopping environment, connecting learners with industry professionals, introducing life coaches and mindfulness practices, Services Australia consultants or bank officers. These interactions not only enrich the learning experience, they inspire people to explore diverse career paths.

Karina’s commitment to learner engagement, professional development and community involvement has made her classes highly sought after. Her innovative teaching methods and unwavering support create a learning environment where every learner feels valued and empowered.

Sonia Nayyar has been an English teacher for over 20 years, working with a culturally and linguistically diverse group of learners, including individuals from both non-English and English-speaking backgrounds. At Cultura, she integrates interactive learning techniques and technology to create engaging and effective learning experiences.

Sonia’s approach goes beyond language instruction, offering employability training, industry visits and digital literacy skills to prepare her learners for the workforce. She fosters a strong sense of community by encouraging students to participate in cultural events, such as Refugee Week and International Women’s Day, helping them connect with the broader Australian society.

In 2023, Sonia’s students made significant strides in their personal and professional development, including gaining employment, advancing in education and achieving major milestones like passing citizenship exams. Her dedication to creating inclusive and supportive learning environments continues to inspire her students to succeed.

Vanessa Watson teaches pre-accredited courses in literacy and numeracy for adults at Community College Gippsland. Her learners have diverse issues including dyslexia and learning disabilities, or have English as a second language. She strives to provide each person with the same opportunities to achieve. She determines student goals and takes a multi-layered approach to developing sessions that create a relevant learning environment.

Student goals vary enormously from wanting supported work placement to being able to read and complete an application form, or access higher learning. To cater for various learning styles, Vanessa incorporates audio, visual aids and kinesthetic strategies using methods that engage different senses. Vanessa’s dedication and expertise make a significant difference to learner outcomes. She was instrumental in strengthening the literacy program at Community College by drawing on academic research and best practices. She gives students the tools and nurtures them to believe in their capacity to overcome challenges.

CEO of Banksia Gardens Community Services (BGCS), Gina Dougall, was instrumental in growing the organisation from a small Learn Local to one of the largest providers of adult training and employment services in Victoria. BGCS sits in a strong multicultural location, which is an area of great disadvantage, and has provided opportunities for over 5,000 people.

Fostering a culture of quality learning and exemplary leadership in the sector and the state, Gina is regularly contacted for support and advice by other Learn Locals. She provides administrative oversight for all the Learn Local programs at 14 Hume school hubs. During the 2023–24 period, BGCS courses attracted approximately 1,000 students to 26 courses and programs. As a result, 51 participants found jobs out of 75 enrolled in the Passport to Work program. Gina developed an impactful relationship with Bendigo Kangan Institute and established 2 social enterprises on the Broadmeadows site that support vulnerable people into work.

Huma’s journey with Sussex Neighbourhood House began as a participant in their digital program and continued into volunteering where she shared her newfound skills. Huma demonstrated strong leadership qualities and through empathetic guidance, mentorship and leadership, she inspired other learners to navigate educational paths with ease and confidence. This led to her employment in administration at Sussex Neighbourhood House.

Being from a non-English speaking background, Huma encouraged others in her situation to achieve their goals. To establish a safe and supportive environment, she recruited culturally aligned tutors and worked collaboratively with them to ensure that they were well trained, prepared and resourced to deliver effective lessons.

Huma has become a respected authority on data collection and reporting. She generously mentors staff across Victoria’s neighbourhood houses, sharing invaluable insights and providing guidance in administrative and reporting procedures. Exceptionally dedicated to community support, Huma epitomises how thoughtful leadership can create positive, lasting change.

Driven by a deep commitment to adult learners, particularly those facing social and economic challenges, Paul Rawlinson embarked on a career in the Learn Local sector. As Education Projects Officer at Wyndham Community and Education Centre, he focuses on industry programs that upskill vulnerable workers. Paul oversees the delivery of a range of pre-accredited programs and industry-focused language, numeracy and digital literacy initiatives for car and food companies.

The approach to each workplace is contextualised. To meet the evolving needs of industries and employees, Paul developed pre-accredited programs to support those who were impacted by motor industry closures. As the lead trainer, in collaboration with industry, he established a successful model for Learn Locals to assist in transitioning industries. This led to 83% of ex-employees from one company gaining employment after its closure. Paul’s leadership has significantly contributed to the development of sector-wide resources and made a lasting impact on professional practice within Wyndham CEC and the broader Learn Local sector.

As English as an Additional Language Lead at Pines Learning, Sandie Forbes teaches and coordinates 9 programs tailored for students from 64 countries. Creating a dynamic learning environment, her programs are designed to meet the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) learners for community participation and employment. To achieve the best outcomes, she works closely with a network of government and community agencies to provide wrap-around supports.

Taking a workplace focus, Sandie teaches language and digital skills related to work. She adapted the Skills for Work and Study curriculum for low-level CALD learners, which successfully created pathways into Aged Care and Early Childhood qualifications. Teaching workplace-focused grammar classes after hours helps those who work, and designing courses in a way that aligns with social and current affairs requested by learners keeps them engaged. Sandie achieved great results in 2023 with 50% of learners entering accredited training, employment or volunteering, and 50% continuing into higher studies.

The Digital Assets pre-accredited Digital Skills Program offers a comprehensive range of activities tailored to meet diverse learning needs and empowers participants to become active and engaged citizens. The program caters for everyone from beginners with limited or no experience, to working professionals who seek to enhance their digital skills. Resources are tailored to meet individual learning styles and levels of proficiency. Learners can undertake real-world simulations, design websites, develop mobile apps, analyse data and implement marketing campaigns.

The program has been running for around 9 years and has successfully served over 200 learners, empowering them to pursue rewarding careers, professional development, further education, paid employment and volunteer roles. In 2023, 85% of program graduates successfully transitioned to higher education institutions to pursue bachelor's degrees or professional certifications in their respective fields, and 70% obtained full-time employment. The Digital Skills Program provides a solid digital literacy foundation for the digital age.

Work For Yourself – Care and Support Sector (WFY) is a 30-hour course delivered at Manna Gum Community House in Foster. It provides learners with the tools, knowledge and skills to operate as sole traders in carer roles in services such as shopping, gardening and cleaning. The program was created to develop employment opportunities for marginalized people in the community.

Training takes place in an informal learning space. Learners are given an overview of the care and support industry and the various opportunities. They’re also educated in legislative and ethical considerations including safe work practices, person-centered care and effective communication. Participants are well supported by in-house wrap-around services including emergency relief, access to online services and social activities. Directly after completing WFY in 2023, over 60% of participants established themselves as sole traders or increased their existing work. Additionally, they could continue their learning into higher certificates in disability and individual support.

The EmpowerU: Bridging Futures Endeavour Program was implemented at Cultura (MCSG) Multicultural Community Services Geelong in 2023. It prepares at-risk 17-to-27-year-olds for success in life. In partnership with Victoria University, and CatholicCare Victoria, the program assisted over 30 marginalised young people located in a low socioeconomic setting with high youth unemployment and crime. Participants undertook community activities and built educational, life and employability skills to break the cycle of disadvantages.

Offering diverse avenues to skill development in the fields of study, community involvement and cultural appreciation, participants were prepared for future challenges and personal and professional growth. They experienced a more rounded perspective of life learning foundation and employment skills including micro-business opportunities in horticulture and cooking. A broad set of activities helped learners develop effective communication, critical thinking and social skills. Remarkable outcomes included students either finding employment or enrolling in certificate courses in fields such as electrical work, plumbing, aged care, individual support and English Certificate I to IV.

The Life Skills Literacy Cooking program is no ordinary cooking class. It was established for vulnerable and hard-to-reach learners including people with intellectual disabilities, mental health conditions, mood disorders, epilepsy, people living with the effects of trauma, and physical disability. In a safe, supportive, inclusive environment, cooking is the delivery platform to build employability, literacy and numeracy, and life skills.

On the first day each learner completes a personalised learner plan. They engage in a rich mix of activities including spoken communication where students introduce themselves and engage in meaningful small talk. They evaluate what they liked about the cooking activities and share ideas. Participants also get to cater for morning and afternoon teas for events at Farnham Street, such as Anzac Day, Daffodil Day. Confidence-building is the foundation upon which the learning takes place. In 2023, 33 learners participated across four classes, with many gaining part-time employment or volunteering roles.

The Introduction to Disability Support course at the Christie Centre provides insights into working in the disability field for people who experience barriers to training, or are considering a career change and new employment possibilities. It also caters for unemployed people with an interest in working in the disability sector. The 'try before you buy' option addresses an identified need within the disability community for quality staff.

The 9-week course provides an overview of roles and responsibilities in the support field including understanding the NDIS, the roles of disability support workers and employment pathways. The course adapts delivery according to learners' specific needs, even if they have mild to severe barriers to employment and training. It guides them to see their potential and the available possibilities. In 2023 the course was delivered to 20 students. Over 90% moved into formal training or gained paid employment within the disability sector or a related industry.

Wellsprings for Women is a women-only neighbourhood house and Learn Local that delivers programs and services tailored to women’s needs. They’ve had a long involvement in the family violence domain and developed a pre-accredited course, Introduction to Working in the Domestic and Family Violence Sector. It’s the first of its kind to be offered through a pre-accredited pathway and aims to fill skills gaps and shortages of staff with bilingual and bicultural skills.

Language and cultural barriers prevent many women from migrant and refugee backgrounds from accessing specialist family violence services. The course was developed with an intersectional lens highlighting the importance of language and cultural knowledge, which are highly sought after within the family violence and prevention workforce. The course demystifies the diversity and complexity of working in the field and provides clear information about job opportunities. Most of the graduates undertook higher studies in the field.

In 2023, Coldon Homes and Capeview Building Products (CHCBP) recognised a valuable opportunity to work with a diverse group of team leaders to upskill employees. Bass Coast Adult Learning (BCAL) and CHCBP developed a transformative approach with staff, some of whom were either early school leavers, grew up in low socioeconomic circumstances, or had unaddressed learning difficulties. Improving core skills in reading, writing, measurement, and computer literacy was vital for enhancing productivity and efficiency.

BCAL worked closely with CHCBP to understand the unique needs of their cohort. They developed an intensive course called Communication Skills for Industry which integrates professional development in leadership with workplace foundation skills. In a supportive environment, workers developed skills in reading, writing, measurement, preparing emails, workplace policies and procedures, and how to conduct performance appraisals using clear and professional communications. A positive learning mindset was highlighted. Low self-esteem and frustration were transformed into pride in their new skills and knowledge.

Living & Learning Pakenham, in partnership with Chisholm Skills and Jobs Centre and McKillop Family Services, has designed a specialist course English Skills for Multicultural Mums. The course enhances English and numeracy skills and empowers women from refugee backgrounds to navigate a new life while supporting their children’s early education.

Adopting a unique train-the-trainer model, parents learn basic English literacy, numeracy and IT skills while simultaneously supporting their children’s learning and so promoting a positive family learning dynamic. Learners set goals and learning plans that are tailored to their individual needs. The partner organisations provide career guidance and vital life skills including financial and digital literacy, and parenting in a new cultural context. This innovative, comprehensive support system addresses social and economic disadvantage, giving families from refugee backgrounds the tools to achieve.

The Early Childhood Education and Care sector is one of the fastest growing sectors in Victoria. However, serious staff shortages are forcing centres to cap enrolments. Loddon Campaspe Multicultural Services (LCMS) introduced a pioneering course, the Starting Work in Childcare Taster, as a solution. It trains people of refugee and migrant backgrounds to fill valuable and culturally significant roles in early childhood education and care.

In essence, the course needed to provide understanding of the industry, employment and further education pathways, as well as addressing low English language, literacy, numeracy and digital literacy skills. Study units were developed to explain the childcare sector including the difference between childcare, family daycare and kindergarten.

The course successfully demonstrated that migrant communities could consider childcare as a viable career. The Starting Work in Childcare Taster course graduated 53 learners with 14 being employed as kindergarten inclusion support workers, and others enrolled in further education and traineeships.

Based in Glenroy, Youth Projects is an organisation committed to breaking the cycle of disadvantage for vulnerable young people aged 15–24. In 2023 they developed an innovative new approach to delivering their hospitality course for young learners with complex needs. The Introduction to Hospitality: Catering Skills Enhancer course is for learners experiencing issues such as anxiety, autism, and other psychosocial barriers, who are not comfortable pursuing public-facing roles.

They train for hospitality careers that are back-of-house, including kitchen operations undertaken in Youth Project’s newly established catering social enterprise, The Little Social Catering Coparticipants learnt kitchen skills, equipment handling, food safety and catering operations in an inclusive, supportive learning environment with wraparound supports. They were empowered with key employability skills to work in commercial kitchens, helping to transform their lives. Of the 32 learners, 56% finished Year 12, and others gained employment or transitioned into further education or training.

Debney Meadows Community Hub in Flemington helps adults address their educational barriers. This was made possible by a strong partnership between Kensington Neighbourhood House, Debney Meadows Primary School, Farnham Street Neighborhood Learning Centre, Cultivating Community, Moonee Valley City Council, and The Community Grocer. Together, they deliver life-changing training that they would otherwise be unable to do individually.

Around 98% of participants are from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, with 22% having never attended school. The partners provide pre-accredited education and foundation studies that enable learners to launch into further education, employment and volunteering. Courses include food handling, developing microbusinesses, and technology. Engaging with education leads to improved health, community cohesion and cross-cultural understanding. To date, 53 learners have enrolled in pre-accredited training, with 16 completing linked accredited training. Other learners commenced other qualifications or employment.

The partnership between Foundation Learning Centre (FLC) and Chisholm TAFE leverages the strengths of both institutions to create a comprehensive learning experience that prepares participants for the academic and practical challenges of careers in childcare. Notably, it addresses retention challenges in the sector by providing a direct pathway from a Learn Local into recognised qualifications.

The diverse learner cohort includes young entrants to the workforce, long-term unemployed, recent immigrants and experienced professionals transitioning careers. FLC provides the foundations via their Gaining the Edge program, which focuses on developing employability and resilience skills. Tailored activities meet the unique needs of each learner and equips them to move into accredited training at Chisholm TAFE where they receive qualifications. The strategic alliance allows for a more rounded approach to education by addressing technical competencies and soft skills. Connecting accredited and non-accredited training ensures that participants are not only qualified but proficient, adaptable and prepared for success.

Students at TAFE Gippsland and regional Learn Locals are benefiting from a unique partnership, collaborating to prepare learners for successful education and employment. The partnership was developed to address changing learner needs regional, skills shortages, thin markets, and transitioning workforces across an area of high disadvantage, low levels of literacy, numeracy and digital skills, and increasing migrant populations.

Collaborative delivery and pathways required a new way of working. TAFE Gippsland developed agreements with 5 Learn Local providers encompassing 16 Adult, Community and Further Education funded programs. The partnership provides an aligned education sector with smooth training progression between pre-accredited and accredited courses. Collaborative delivery occurs with accredited and pre-accredited training embedded into courses at TAFE Gippsland and Learn Locals.

To support strategic planning and timetabling of courses, TAFE Gippsland provides access to delivery planning based on strong market data. Working in partnership adds value and promotes educational access across Gippsland.

Carringbush Adult Education and MiCare, a local migrant and refugee settlement provider, are the lead partners behind the Yarra Women Behind the Wheel program helping culturally and linguistically diverse women attain their driver’s licence. These women experience a number of barriers to gaining their licence, including poor literacy skills for completing tests, an inability to comprehend road signs, and a lack of understanding of laws.

In collaboration with Victoria Police, the Carlton Fitzroy Financial Counselling Service and Victoria Legal Aid, each problem is addressed. Carringbush provided language literacy and numeracy education and MiCare facilitates the program. Victoria Police addresses fear of police and road safety, Carlton Fitzroy Financial Counselling Service teaches financial literacy for car ownership, Victoria Legal Aid unpacks driving laws, and Neighbourhood Justice Centre provides a welcoming venue. Over 36 women have graduated, achieving a licence which has unlocked opportunities to gain employment, pursue education, and enhance their quality of life.