LIST OF RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommendation 1
The Committee RECOMMENDS that the Commonwealth government:
- make an unequivocal commitment to the concept of lifelong learning
and the promotion of a learning society; and
- imbue its education policies and associated funding mechanisms with
the values and principles of lifelong learning for all Australians.
Recommendation 2
The Committee RECOMMENDS that the Commonwealth government bring together
the National ACE policy and National VET Policy to establish an integrated
National Adult Community and Vocational Education and Training (NACVET)
Policy giving effect to the commitment to lifelong learning.
Recommendation 3
The Committee RECOMMENDS that, in order to implement, monitor and fund
the new NACVET Policy, the Commonwealth government restructure
ANTA to establish the National Adult Community and Vocational Education
and Training Authority (NACVETA). The membership of the Authority's
Board will be modified to ensure that an adequate ACE perspective is available
to the Authority, and the way in which the Authority distributes its funds
should reflect its revised charter.
Recommendation 4
The Committee RECOMMENDS that the new NACVET Authority
report annually to the Australian Parliament on the achievement of policy
outcomes.
Recommendation 5
The Committee RECOMMENDS that the Commonwealth government negotiate with
the States and Territories a set of Adult Community and Vocational
Education and Training (ACVET) Agreements. These Agreements
will require each State and Territory to develop an Adult Community
and Vocational Education and Training (ACVET) Profile consistent
with the National Policy.
Recommendation 6
The Committee RECOMMENDS that:
- in order to be eligible for Commonwealth funds, providers be registered
as a quality provider with a State or Territory Education and Training
Authority;
- registration be based on providers meeting standards of quality set
by the relevant industry, professional or educational association;
- three broad categories of provider be registered as follows:
Category A. Specific Industry Education & Training
Category B. Non-specific Industry Education & Training
Category C. General Education & Training
Recommendation 7
The Committee RECOMMENDS that a National ACVET Equity Fund
be established under the new NACVET Authority to target
groups currently under-represented in education and training.
Recommendation 8
The Committee RECOMMENDS that the Commonwealth government
- give priority to the infrastructure and capital requirements of community-based
providers of ACE;
- require that State and Territory governments assist community-based
ACE providers to meet the costs of becoming registered providers; and
- require that ACE providers have formal representation within the State
and Territory ACVET Profile processes.
Recommendation 9
The Committee RECOMMENDS that, where they have not yet done so, States
and Territories report on the delivery by ACE providers of both accredited
and non-accredited programs as part of the State and Territory ACVET Profile
processes.
Recommendation 10
The Committee RECOMMENDS that the new NACVET Authority review its guidelines
for competitive tendering in order (a) to incorporate selection criteria
which encourage collaborative tenders, and (b) to require the specification
of clear performance indicators in tender documentation.
Recommendation 11
The Committee RECOMMENDS that the Commonwealth government establish a
dedicated research program to examine the relationship between intellectual
activity and good health, and the ways in which that relationship might
be enhanced.
Recommendation 12
The Committee RECOMMENDS that the Commonwealth government:
- commission a report on best practice in (a) the provision of pre-retirement
education, and (b) in adult education programs targeting older Australians
living in institutional or retirement village settings;
- draw together a coalition of peak senior citizens groups and adult
education organisations to advise on matters relating to third age education;
- establish a steering group drawn from relevant Government departments
to develop and implement a nationwide promotional campaign on the benefits
of participation by older people in adult education.
Recommendation 13
The Committee RECOMMENDS that the Commonwealth urge State and Territory
education authorities to develop guidelines for the accessible and affordable
use of public education facilities by bona fide, non-profit ACE providers.
Recommendation 14
The Committee RECOMMENDS that the Commonwealth adopt 'learning and living
in the third age' as its theme for the 1999 International Year of Older
People.
Recommendation 15
The Committee RECOMMENDS that any follow up to the NBEET study on technological
convergence, or any future national studies on education and technology,
take into account the ACE sector.
Recommendation 16
The Committee RECOMMENDS that the level of the Commonwealth's ACE Grants
Program be significantly increased and managed by the new NACVET Authority.
Recommendation 17
The Committee RECOMMENDS that the Commonwealth seek a formal response
to a draft of the revised National ACE Policy from key women's organisations
such as the Network of Women in Further Education and from independent
assessors with expertise in the analysis of gender issues.
Recommendation 18
The Committee RECOMMENDS that the new NACVET Authority commission a study
of best practice in relation to the delivery of adult education and training
to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders by community-based ACE providers.
Recommendation 19
The Committee RECOMMENDS that the Commonwealth seek a formal input into
the proposed new NACVET Policy from
- the Commonwealth Office of Disability, from the peak body National
Industry Association for Disability Services [formerly ACROD], and from
an independent assessor with expertise in disability issues; and
- the Federation of Ethnic Community Councils of Australia, and other
relevant organisations concerned with educational opportunities for
Australians with a first language other than English.
Recommendation 20
The Committee RECOMMENDS the re-establishment of the National Staff Development
Committee under the new NACVET Authority. Its role should be expanded
to address the professional development needs of teachers and administrators
working in community-based ACE providers.
Recommendation 21
The Committee RECOMMENDS that the Commonwealth government support a national
project to identify and develop standards for teaching and learning in
community-based ACE settings in a manner similar to the national ACE Standards
for Administrators and Managers.
Recommendation 22
The Committee RECOMMENDS that the Commonwealth government send a ministerial
level delegation to the Fifth International Conference on Adult Education
in Hamburg comprising relevant officers of Commonwealth agencies, State
education authorities and representatives of Australia's ACE sector.
Recommendation 23
The Committee RECOMMENDS that the Commonwealth government:
- undertake a precise analysis and costing of the public education activities
of government departments and agencies;
- convene a national workshop of key government departments, information
agencies and representatives of the ACE sector to explore public education
practice, and the implications for more effective and coordinated delivery
of Commonwealth public education programs.