Page 649 - Week 02 - Thursday, 21 February 2019
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
The Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) is committed to working with communities and specific groups to address their training needs. CIT has a dedicated Education Advisor for Migrant and Refugees who is available to work with individuals to determine their training needs, which includes consultations with a Careers Advisor. CIT is open to developing courses to meet needs on a commercial or cost recovery basis.
The 2018 ACT Mature Workers Grants Program targets groups traditionally experiencing disadvantage, including people from the multicultural community. The 2018 ACT Mature Workers Grants Program is making available $500,000 for two new services to be delivered over 2 years. These new services will be announced early in 2019. Any mature worker or businessperson in the multicultural community will be able to access the service most relevant to their needs.
(2) Older culturally and linguistically diverse people have particular risk factors in relation to elder abuse. The ACT is currently working with the Australian Government and other state and territory governments to develop a National Plan to address elder abuse.
It is also clear that culturally and linguistically diverse older people can be at heightened risk of social isolation and can face difficulties finding out about and gaining access to information and support. These issues will be considered when developing the Age Friendly Statement of Direction to be released in early 2019, and the Second Action Plan of the ACT Multicultural Framework. Both of these will be available in 2019.
The 2018 ACT Mature Workers Grants Program was informed by research that identified the need for a broad focus on literacy, numeracy and digital technology skills development among mature people in the multicultural community.
(3) The ACT Government is delivering on it is 2016-17 Budget commitment to provide funding to assist new Canberrans improve their English language skills through expanding English language programs.
In 2017-18 the Migrant and Refugee Settlement Services (MARSS) received funding for four years to strengthen and expand current English language programs. The funding provides English for employment, English for Living and a Home Tutor program ensuring refugees and asylum seekers living in the ACT receive the support they need to improve their English language skills. The English for Living and Home Tutor Program are specifically designed to meet the needs of older migrants or migrants with mobility issues.
The Canberra Institute of Technology also received funding for four years to deliver English language classes to asylum seekers who hold an ACT Services Access Card.
Libraries ACT provides a range of services including Bilingual Story Times, books, DVDs, and CDs in different languages, English learning resources, and English conversation groups. Libraries ACT hosts friendly and informal English conversation groups at its branches. They are free and bookings are not required.
In addition, a range of multicultural community groups provide opportunities for older people to retain or improve language skills by holding regular social functions including dance classes, morning teas and short trips. This helps build social connections and improve language skills.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video