Professional development

ECEC professionals encouraged to “refresh and re skill” as part of Adult Learners Week

Freya Lucas

Sep 03, 2020

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Adult Learners Week 2020, which launched 1 September 2020 has a special message for all of those looking to refresh their current skill set, or move toward building a new one - It’s never too late to learn.

In a rapidly changing labour market as the result of the COVID-19 pandemic and other economic pressures, adults, including those working in early childhood education and care (ECEC) are being encouraged to stay dynamic and competitive, and to connect up with a range of adult education providers that offer a range of learning pathways.

“This is the 25th year Adult Learners Week has been celebrated in Australia” Federal Minister for Employment, Skills and Family Business Michaelia Cash said, saying the 2020 theme ‘renew you’ encourages people to “take stock and look into the new possibilities available through adult education.”

Chosen correctly, Adult Learners Week activities and events can set people on the path of deciding where to start and the right organisations to contact, she added, saying that in 2020, “reconnecting with learning has never been more important”.

Transitioning between jobs, and training for the jobs of tomorrow must be a focus as the nation continues its economic recovery from COVID-19, Assistant Minister for Vocational Education, Training and Apprenticeships Steve Irons said.

Over $3 billion has been invested in skills since the onset of the pandemic, designed to give “hundreds of thousands” of Australians access to retraining and upskilling in sectors with job opportunities, he added.

The JobTrainer funding, in which the Federal Government has committed $500 million in “dollar for dollar” investments with the states and territories, is expected to provide an additional 340,700 training places, presenting “a real opportunity” for adult learners to reskill or upskill to improve their employment prospects”.

Adult Learners Week is celebrated from 1-8 September, and offers events around Australia and online. For more information, please see here.

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