Success stories
What can you achieve with Learn Local education and training?
Watch and read about the inspirational efforts of learners, teachers and organisations who are changing the lives of individuals and their communities.
Regional student achieves with VCAL
Although Patrick Bartlett left school at the end of year 10, after attending The Centre for Continuing Education (Wangaratta) he won the 2010 VCAL Student Achievement Award for Intermediate Work Related Skills and is now studying at TAFE.
Reaching her full potential
Georgia is much like any other 22 year-old – she works in a café two days a week, likes to spend her spare time on the computer, chatting on the phone and going to the footy. What’s different about Georgia is that she has an intellectual disability and, without the educational services of her Learn Local organisation, Moe Life Skills, she may never have had the chance of reaching her full potential.
Re-training for success
When Andy migrated from Burma to Australia in 2009 to care for his mother, he never imagined that he would have to re-train in order to find work. Andy had a number of jobs over his working life in Burma, giving him a wide variety of skills, but after almost a year of job applications and unsuccessful interviews Andy was still unemployed and in despair.
Returning to the workforce
Being a full-time single mum kept Virginia out of the workforce for over 11 years. As a mother of three boys she had previously had her hands very full, but now that they were all at school she had the opportunity to do something more.
Back from the brink
In Catriona’s own words ‘I was lost to education until I came to Shepparton ACE’. Catriona left school at 15 and as she says ‘disappeared into a world of drugs’. She is now committed to education and an inspiration to others.
Carer’s program hits the mark
Continuing Education Bendigo, in partnership with Care Beyond Measure, an in-home personal care service, has created a program that offers both employment and learning outcomes for participants.
Determination and motivation bring results
Dwana Farrall is a 20 year old Indigenous woman with a hearing impairment and mild intellectual disability. Despite this her determination to control her life direction and willingness to support others in her community has put Dwana in good stead for her future.
Parents join learning journey
UYCH Community College has grabbed hold of new technology and learning formats to establish a program that engages parents in both their own education, as well as their children’s.
Rachelle turning her life around
Rachelle didn’t complete Year 10 at school, and at 17 became a single parent. Many years later, and making the biggest change in her life, Rachelle went to Rosewall Neighbourhood Centre and re-started her learning journey.
Stars, in Pam’s eyes
Pam’s motto of ‘never give up’ is not just something that she lives by but also something that she instils in those around her. Pam has developed a range of strategies and a level of perseverance to ensure her learners are excited about learning.
Literacy program kicks goals
Morrisons have successfully helped people with low literacy levels engage in learning and connect with their community. through a program that used football and netball as a ‘hook’ to engage the sports fans.
Leading the way in e-learning
When Lynne came to Coonara Community House in Upper Ferntree Gully after 39 years in children’s services she found she had an immediate affinity for Adult Community Education.
A second chance in the Neighbourhood
Judy first contacted The Avenue Neighbourhood House looking for help with reading and writing skills. In the time since, she has achieved an Introductory Certificate in Reading and Writing and a Certificate IV in Disability Work.
A long way from the border
Having spent almost 20 years living in a refugee camp on the Thai Burma border, before arriving in Australia Joanna had very limited contact with the world familiar to most Australians and spoke almost no English. But then Joanna decided to enrol at Werribee Community and Education Centre where she started a journey that would see her develop new skills, more confidence and gain employment.
Recycle and renew program connects
Using furniture restoration to engage people in the community, the Recycle and Renew program is aimed at isolated people who are not engaged in work or training. With furniture restoration as its core activity, the program sets about building the skills of participants and increasing their engagement with the community.
Learning teams support bushfire recovery
The Bunyip Ridge Bushfire Recovery Project engaged people deemed to have few skills and has tapped into a method that helps them learn quickly. Thirty job seekers whose livelihood had been affected by the bushfires spent six months restoring and improving community and private infrastructure lost during the Black Saturday bushfires. The teams assisted bushfire survivors who are elderly or have a disability, and can’t physically undertake the restoration themselves.