Adult learning peak body visits, calls for 'reassessment' 

Published on 08 Jul, 2013 

Media Contact: Catherine Devlin 0418 574 389 or

For Immediate Release

The president of Australia's peak adult learning body, Professor Barry Golding has visited Rockhampton for a forum calling for a reassessment of adult education in Australia.

CQUniversity hosted the forum at its Ron Smyth Building in Quay Street.

Forum participants L-R Professor Barry Golding, Jan Crowley, Assoc Prof Bobby Harreveld, Shelley Truscott and Sally Thompson
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Professor Golding, President of Adult Learning Australia (ALA) was one of the keynote speakers at the Building Rural and Regional Communities through Adult Education Forum.

This event was organised in partnership with CQUniversity Australia and also featured the ALA CEO Sally Thompson as MC.

At a time when Australians are dropping out of the workforce at unprecedented rates, one half of adults in paid work have completed no formal qualification since leaving school and a significant proportion of Australian adults have inadequate literacy to deal with the everyday demands of work and life.

The situation is worse in regional and rural Australia with young people living in rural or remote locations almost 50% less likely to hold either a higher VET qualification or university degree than those in other areas.

With so many people lacking the basic skills to effectively take part in and contribute to society, Professor Golding is calling for industry and government to refocus on the wider role of adult education.

"Adult education is about changing lives, building and sustaining communities, and ensuring that every Australian has the opportunity to develop or acquire new life skills; build confidence through knowledge and contribute to our diverse and rapidly changing society - lifelong and lifewide," says Professor Golding.

The forum was all about building communities through learning and highlighting the benefits of adult and community education in rural and regional communities.

It explored the partnerships between formal learning providers (such as TAFEs and universities) and non-formal community-based organisations, which deliver many socio-economic benefits including health, social, leisure and financial outcomes.

About Adult Learning Australia

Adult Learning Australia is the national peak body for Adult and Community Education. Its vision is for equitable access to lifelong and lifewide learning for all Australians.

'Lifelong learning' means learning beyond school throughout the adult years via the formal education system, in workplaces and through community participation.

'Lifewide learning' means developing the skills and knowledge required to engage in meaningful work, to participate fully as a citizen in a vibrant democracy, to live in harmony in a diverse, multi-cultural and rapidly changing society and to manage one's health and personal wellbeing, particularly in the senior years.

Adult Learning Australia is a not-for-profit entity with both organisational and individual members in all states and territories. Details are via: http://www.ala.asn.au/ or info@ala.asn.au .

 ENDS