By MELISSA MEEHAN
Community house learning reaches out to remote communities…
CLASSES held in Ferntree Gully could be broadcast to small country towns in an effort to educate at-risk youth in remote communities.
Coonara Community House in Ferntree Gully will connect with eight other local organisations in north-east Victoria after Minister for Higher Education and Skills, Nick Wakeling announced a $149,000 initiative on Friday.
Manager of Coonara Community House Leanne Fitzgerald said the funding meant that community organisations could trial video technology in bringing classes to remote areas.
“There could be only two or three people wanting to do a particular course at a community house in say, Euroa,” Ms Fitzgerald said.
“That many people doesn’t make the class financially viable, so to be able to link in to another class either here at Ferntree Gully or Mansfield, it means we share the cost of one tutor and make these courses available to smaller communities.”
Classes held at Coonara could also link into classes held in other towns as well.
Ms Fitzgerald said like other community education providers, she had noticed an influx of people seeking to further their education and this meant more courses could become available thanks to the video link.
“It’s all about keeping options open for members of our community,” she said.
Mr Wakeling said that it was important to help people improve their skills which, in turn, improved employment prospects for an individual.
“This initiative is about creating opportunities and pathways for people who are at risk of disengaging from more mainstream education programs,” he said.
“They make a real difference for those who need it most.”
Mr Wakeling also announced a grant of $40,000 that will support Coonara to provide training to older people who are at risk of being disadvantaged and isolated through a lack of digital literacy skills, as well as $100,000 for the Mountain District Learning Centre (MDLC).
“It will provide training in a range of digital activities such as internet banking, using mobile phones, a tablet device and Skype,” he said.
“Learn Local organisations make a real difference to people’s lives by improving their life skills, employment prospects and connectedness to the community.”
The funding boost for MDLC will help it to meet the needs of local youth who are at risk of disengaging from education and training.
