Learning for life

While the web-based learning tools may provide a solution for some, without improvements in broadband access this too will be a long way off.

And what about the adult learners themselves? What do they need to encourage them back to the classroom to take up learning opportunities? Consultations have found they prefer informal, non-threatening and social environments - preferably close to home. With this mix, they are more likely to see a course through to completion. This is without bringing the difficulties associated with access and appropriate learning modules and delivery to minority groups into the discussion.

It’s all well and good for the states to push the Commonwealth to look at providing funding for lifelong learning projects but they need someone to take the initiative and get something started where it’s needed - in the local community.

Surprisingly, it might just turn out that local governments could provide an important part of the solution to help open up learning opportunities to those workers who will be encouraged to upgrade their skills and look for work in industries experiencing labour shortages.

According to research on the notion of “learning communities”, local governments are best placed to identify local needs, determine the most appropriate solutions and implement the most effective program.

Local governments have been very quick to recognise the links between learning and the economy. There are many examples of local councils taking the initiative in establishing links between schools, industry, VET providers and government agencies, and forming learning networks. These initiatives are encouraging young people and adults to train and learn in their local area so they are more likely to stay and find work.

Local councils are also more likely to take the initiative; they are closer to the action than any other level of government and have a better understanding of what’s going on in their communities. Recent research showcasing the benefits of this approach has been based on the experience of a number of local governments that have undertaken innovative learning based projects and re-badged themselves as learning town or cities.

It looks like the humble, much neglected, local public library could provide a key to the quest to improve prosperity and increase workforce participation. The Hume City Council won the Local Government Innovation Award in 2005 for their community learning centre (library) which stands as an example of what local councils are capable of achieving.

What is going to be difficult is working out exactly how local governments can work together with bodies such as state education and training departments on this issue. These departments thrive on uniformity, and tend not to be innovative or fast acting in entrepreneurial terms.

The Commonwealth will also need to establish funding programs that encourage local solutions and do not stifle initiative or innovation. A centralist approach will be the quickest way to kill local enthusiasm and ideas to help get adults back into the classroom.

Local governments pride themselves on difference. Communities see themselves as unique and consideration of their difference is crucial to success in service delivery. Policies to implement lifelong learning programs will need to accommodate this difference if they are to succeed at the local level.