The Victorian Government has called on adult education participants, educators and organisations to nominate for this year’s Victorian Learn Local Awards.

State Minister for Higher Education and Skills, Peter Hall, said that the awards recognise the ‘outstanding effort and achievement’ among the 100,000 people involved in the adult education community across the state.

“They also celebrate the contribution made by about 300 Learn Local organisations that offer entry-level and accredited training, which leads participants into jobs and further study,” Mr Hall said.

Mr Hall said the awards, which are presented by the government-appointed Adult, Community and Further Education Board, were able to shine a light on achievements that often went under the radar.

“The Learn Local sector offers flexible, approachable and welcoming learning environments, providing an ideal setting for many people to return to their learning path, or to start afresh,” Mr Hall said.

“Our Learn Local students and staff aren’t known for taking the time to acknowledge their own good work, or giving themselves a well-deserved ‘pat on the back’.

Award categories for the 2013 Awards are:

  • Outstanding pre-accredited learner – recognising an entry-level student;
  • Outstanding practitioner – recognising a training staff member;
  • Outstanding pathway program – recognising success in helping students to progress to employment or further training;
  • Excellence in creating local solutions – acknowledging success in addressing a local skill or learning need; and
  • Excellence in language, literacy and numeracy provision.　

There will also be two special acknowledgement awards this year. The Learn Local for Business award will recognise the commitment a business has to training its employees.