2. Adult community education and accredited vocational education are both critical to Victoria’s strong skills system

The Victorian TAFE Network leads the provision of accredited vocational education and training to Victorians. Adult community education (or pre-accredited training) complements this provision.

Alongside Victorian TAFEs, quality private and community training providers funded through Skills First develop and deliver industry-specific training programs, including niche skills and programs for communities that connect people to learning.

The Victorian Government provides funding to Learn Local providers across the state.3 The Adult Community Education (ACE) sector has wide reach across the state, providing Victorians with access to training at more than 200 locations.

Learn Local providers meet the place-based needs of learners, employers and their communities and focus on building the foundation skills of Victorians through quality pre-accredited learning including literacy, numeracy, non-technical and digital skills.

The Ministerial Statement on the Future of Adult Community Education in Victoria 2020–25 sets out several priorities for the ACE sector (Table 1). The Victorian Government and the ACE sector have made significant progress on these priorities.

In 2024, the Victorian Government funded the training of over 28,000 Victorian learners

  • 19,278 females
  • 14,124 people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
  • 5,096 people with disability
  • 8,037 unemployed people

Table 1: The Victorian Government invests in the ACE sector to deliver high-quality pre-accredited training to Victorians

Ministerial Statement on the Future of Adult Community Education in Victoria 2020–25 – priority focus areasAchievements
Build the capability of the sector to provide literacy, numeracy, employability and digital skills training
  • The 2025/26 budget allocates $4.5 million to provide scholarships and professional development opportunities for prospective and current adult education teachers.
  • Principles and protocols have been co-developed to boost capacity to support First Nations learners.
Develop partnerships with industry, government agencies and across the post-secondary education system to support learners to work, study and fully participate in society
  • The Learn Local Learning for Work program supports Learn Locals to embed experience of work activities into their training.
  • Learn Local Industry Practice Networks use collaborative peer work to extend employer partnerships across the sector for the benefit of learners.
  • The Family Learning Partnerships program partners with school, community and industry organisations to support learners with childcare responsibilities.
Enhance learner access, inclusion and engagement across all local government areas (LGAs) and promote the role and value of the sector
  • In 2024, onsite training at one or more Learn Local providers was available in 75 of Victoria’s 79 LGAs. In the remaining LGAs, training for adult learners was accessible onsite at an adjacent LGA or via online offerings if available.
  • In 2023, 93% of learners reported a safe, welcoming and culturally appropriate learning environment.

Source: ACFE Board, 2025.

Updated

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