Page 4211 - Week 14 - Thursday, 25 October 1990
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For the past 10 years. These tests have consistently revealed inadequate
literacy skill levels to effectively handle their studies in about 30%O of those
undertaking an apprenticeship program.
(3 a) Approximately 500 adults have enrolled in formal on-campus ACT TAFE literacy programs during 1990. In addition, some 33 adults participated in 3 workplace literacy courses conducted by the Institute in conjunction with public and private employers, as a pilot program under ICY auspices.
(3 b) The Volunteer Home Tutor Schemes, funded by ACT TAPE and the Commonwealth Department of Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic Affairs, are providing; literacy training for about 300 .adults in the ACT domino 1990. The Volunteer Home Tutor Schemes are coordinated by ACT TAFE who also provide training programs for tutors. Individuals may also receive training in adult literacy through informal arrangements but these are not coordinated through any government agencies. We estimate can be made of adults in such training, but numbers are likely to, be slight.
(4a) Outlays on the- salaries of staff involved in the conduct of adult literacy programs, both for formal on-campus programs and Volunteer Home Tutor Scheme, conducted by ACT TAFE, are approximately $550 000 in 1990.
Of this outlay, $65 000 for Advanced Migrant English and $41 000 for Adult Literacy is provided by the Commonwealth Government through the Department of Employment, Education and Training. The balance of the funds come from within ACT TAFE resources and in turn mainly from ACT Government allocations. Although not regarded as adult literacy within the scope= of this Question, the Institute also received and will expend $1.5m on the Adult Migrant Education Program, the DELUGE managed program.
(4b) No estimate can be given for funding for any informal arrangements.
(5) The extent of the unmet demand for literacy. skills development in the ACT is difficult to assess as many people with literacy deficiencies do not seek assistance or are unaware of its availability. Waiting lists for such programs at the ACT Institute of TAFE indicate that there are a large number of people in our community eager to seek assistance. However, m June 1990 over 100 people were on waiting lists for places in Adult Literacy Courses at ACT
In so far as International Literacy Year has heightened awareness of the importance of literacy, the possibility of learning for adults, and the availability of assistance, it is expected that the unsatised demand for literacy skills development has grown significantly in the ACT this year. On the other hand, more employers are aware that illiteracy amongst their work force is a major obstacle to other skills training and productivity improvement.
There is therefore greater potential for winning employer support for workplace literacy courses than hitherto. ACT TAPE is considering a target for such joint ventures which would double the number of adults assisted to 1991.
No surveys have been conducted in the Canberra region to assess the need or demand for the provision of Adult Literacy Courses. Such a survey is feasible but not possible within current funding. A survey would, however, be worthwhile if it improved the forgetting of programs, and employer support for work place programs within our community.
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