ACAL eNews February 2014

The Department of Industry has commissioned a review of the Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) Practitioner Scholarships Program (the Program). Quantum Consulting Australia has been appointed to undertake the Review. The Review is examining key aspects of the Program including:

The effectiveness and efficiency of the Program in connecting people to the LLN practitioner field
The appropriateness of the existing funding model and administration process
The satisfaction of individuals, trainers and training providers with the delivery of the Program and
The employment outcomes of Scholarship recipients

Jenni Anderson participated in a phone interview to give ACAL’s perspective on the LLN Practitioner Scholarships Program. As well as addressing the questions above it was also noted that;

ACAL sees the LLN scholarships as a valuable small part of what needs to be a more comprehensive bigger picture.

Understanding the current numbers, skills and qualifications of LLN practitioners is important so we can work to fill gaps where we are not yet effectively supporting learning.
Mapping the different contexts where we as a country offer LLN training or support will also enable us to educate potential practitioners of the required skills and qualifications needed to be effective in those contexts.
Having national training available for new practitioners that includes a step before formal degrees and post-graduate qualifications, but more specific content than TAE, could be a positive way to help people enter the LLN workforce.

To ensure that the Review has a good spread of stakeholder consultation ACAL also connected the consultants with our affiliated State Councils for Adult Literacy & Numeracy.

States

3. WAALC

WAALC has decided to trial a change in timing for the annual state conference. The next conference will be in April 2015. As a focus for its activities in 2014, WAALC is seeking funding to produce printed materials for potential learners, teachers and collaborators about adult literacy learning. We hope that this project will bring about new collaborations with workers in other sectors.

4. NTCAL

As part of the regeneration of NTCAL four events are being planned for 2014, which will build on the interest shown in NTCAL activities during 2013. Timing for these events is being linked to the availability of local and international speakers. The initial event is planned for early in April and further details will be made available once remaining speakers and dates are confirmed. The events being planned are designed to promote discussion around the following themes:

Aboriginal Literacy and the Living Archive of Aboriginal Language Project: Resources to support Indigenous languages and literacy acquisition alongside English language learning.
Plural literacies and multilingual learners
Literacy and International Students
Language, literacy and technology in everyday life

If you would like to join the NTCAL mailing list contact alison.reedy@cdu.edu.au

5. TCAL

TCAL is hosting their annual state conference and AGM on Saturday 22 March in the Tasmanian Royal Botanical Gardens' Training Centre The conference, Literacy in the Gardens, is a shift from TCAL's tradition of hosting the conference later in the year and this is in line with TCAL's new membership year 1 January to 31 December.

6. QCAL

Top Teaching Tips 2014 – Professional Development
Date: Saturday 8 March 2014
Time: 8.30 for 9.00am start. 11.30 close.
Venue: Indooroopilly Council Library, Indooroopilly Shopping Town.

Contact: qcalmail@gmail.com

Resources

7. Closing the Gap Clearinghouse

This is a clearinghouse for research and evaluation evidence on what works to overcome Indigenous disadvantage.

The Closing the Gap Clearinghouse now has a What works page that provides a summary of what works to overcome Indigenous disadvantage - across each building block.

8. What Works for LLN free videos

Free Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) training and professional development videos from Ideas That Work.

More details

9. Workshops for VET practitioners

IBSA are running foundation skills workshops for VET practitioners to learn to work effectively with LLN teachers

10. Foundation Skills Assessment Tool (FSAT)

The Department of Industry has contracted the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) to develop a free online Foundation Skills Assessment Tool (FSAT) to identify and assess an individual’s foundation skill levels. ACER is interested in hearing from interested VET and employment services providers to be involved in focus groups in March and April, and to participate in trials in order to provide feedback about the assessment system.

11. About the Foundation Skills Workforce Development Project

The Foundation Skills Workforce Development (FSWD) Project is a $1.5m initiative of the COAG Standing Council on Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment (SCOTESE) to implement agreed actions from the National Foundation Skills Strategy for Adults (The Strategy), during 2013.

The FSWD Project will scope, design and implement a range of initiatives aimed at building the capacity of organisations who deliver foundation skills, and their staff.

Updates

Professional development

12. World Indigenous Peoples Conference in Education

PiCE The ACAL Executive is pleased to provide a scholarship valued at $500 to support Soraya Daniel, a Torres Strait Islander living and working in the Tanami Desert, to attend the World Indigenous Peoples Conference in Education (WIPCE) in Hawaii in May.

Soroya is very dedicated to supporting Warlpiri people in employment and training. Ros Bauer, Winner - Excellence in Adult Language Literacy Numeracy Practice, Australian Training Awards 2013 has been mentoring her for the past two years to develop her understanding of adult literacy practices. Soraya has previously participated in Indigenous leadership training which included regular trips to parliament, meeting with ministers about community issues and coming up with local strategies. Her attendance at the WIPCE conference will further develop Soraya's knowledge of governance, leadership and educational strategies in Indigenous contexts. ACAL is pleased to support the development of Indigenous policy and practice in the field of adult literacy and numeracy.

13. Realising our potential: widening participation through education and training

NCVER Forum Melbourne 3 April 2014

Education and training can transform people’s lives, playing an important role in health and wellbeing and providing a valuable stepping stone towards community involvement and getting a job. NCVER has funded significant research in this area seeking to build understanding about the role of education and training in supporting all learners to achieve their potential and overcome complex disadvantage.

14. ACER National Adult Language, Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Conference 2014

1–2 May 2014

ACER's two-day National Adult Language, Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Conference is being held in Melbourne in May 2014. The theme is 'Foundation skills and lifelong learning - what does the evidence from international assessments tell us about improving work and life skills?'

15. Nationally accredited Course in Indigenous Mentoring

Jobs Australia’s mentoring course is a mix of theory and practice and was jointly developed by Jobs Australia and Building Indigenous Capability Pty Ltd.

Mentors trained through this course will be equipped to:

Establish a mentoring relationship;
Assess clients’ needs and develop a mentoring plan;
Facilitate a mentoring relationship;
Empower clients to operate autonomously in the workplace; and
Evaluate the effectiveness of the mentoring process.
Provide advice and information to employers