Central Queensland University now offers at least 10 different programs* tailored to help adult learners access degrees and succeed in their study and career goals.

This focus on people who are not coming to University straight from the school gate is justified by the University’s enrolment patterns.

Around 80 per cent of CQU’s Australian students are adult learners who have done a range of things between leaving school and starting University.

Many of the CQU programs which support adult learners also have benefit for school leavers.

They include programs tailored for women interested in science, computing and engineering; indigenous people; people who want to boost literacy, numeracy and study skills before entry; people who want to study at a distance while working; and people who have come from challenging backgrounds.

The adult entry programs also recognise skills gained at TAFE or in the workplace in addition to school results.

As part of Adult Learning Week (Sept 1-8), CQU is encouraging adults interested in exploring study and career options to attend an Adult Learner Alternative Entry Evening from 6pm on Wednesday, September 8, at CQU Rockhampton (Bldg 32/1.28).

Adult learners are finding motivation from reports showing that degrees mean more pay in the workforce.

The latest of these reports shows that full-time workers with a university degree will earn almost 50 per cent more than their counterparts without a degree in 2004.

This report from the quarterly Economic and Market Development Advisers Age Employment Forecast, based on Australian Bureau of Statistics and research company data, also found that degree holders had an unemployment rate of 2.8 per cent compared with 10.8 per cent for those with Year 12 as their highest qualification.

Recent CQU learning management graduate Diane Daley (pictured) is a good example how adult learners can succeed via a range of pathways.

The co-teacher/director at St George’s Kindergarten in Rockhampton said she left school after Year 10 and later left the workforce to raise a family.

“I went back to work as a teacher’s aide but wanted to have something more and thought I’d give CQU a go. CQU gave me all the skills I needed and the confidence to go on.... I felt I had been left behind by technology -- I could not turn on a computer. Now I can teach children technological skills. I love to study and CQU has awakened a need to find out more about everything. I feel like I’m part of the modern world,” she said.

CQU Associate Professor Ken Purnell, Head of the School of Education and Innovation, said adult learners not only have very high success rate in completing teaching degrees at CQU but often achieve the highest grades too.

“An OECD report recently stated that a high level of motivation (typically found in adult learners), is more important than youthfulness for successful learning,” Dr Purnell said.

“Hudson Australasia have also recently noted that there is a growing demand for mature age workers for their particular knowledge and skills.” ENDS.