e-WAALC NEWS November 2010

e-WAALC News is the electronic newsletter of the Western Australian Adult Literacy Council. The WAALC Executive Committee prepares and sends e-WAALC News to members five times a year.  We welcome your comments, suggestions, and contributions to the newsletter.

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IN THIS ISSUE OF e-WAALC News

1) WAALC End of year dinner

2) EGE reaccreditation

3) Update from DTWD

4) CGEA mid-term review

5) ACAL conference report

6) CAVSS recognized in NVEAC Case studies

7) WELL Diversity! – 2010

8) Literacy on the Map • ACAL / VALBEC conference 2011

9) NCVER latest research

10) Links Between Literacy and Numeracy Skills and Labour Market Outcomes

11) Inviting new members

12) Issues? Contributions?

13) Contacts’ update

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1. WAALC End of year dinner

I invite all members, both new and long standing, to come along to have dinner together to celebrate another year coming to a close.  The dinner will be on Tuesday 6.00pm 9th November 2010. We will have a before dinner speaker to set the atmosphere.  Maxine Tomlin will speak on the topic: Stories from the Frontline.

Venue: Capriccio Italian Restaurant, 71-73 Lake Street, Northbridge

The house specialties are Chili Mussels and pizza ($15-20 price range for pizza or $25-30 for other mains). BYO - Wine only, $10 corkage.  Street parking in the area is free from 6.00pm.

RSVP  Sunday 7th November by email to info@waalc.org.au or message to 0437972043

Joan Campbell
Chairperson

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2.  EGE reaccreditation

Reaccreditation processes for the Certificate 1 in Entry to General Education (EGE) starts soon. 

If you want to contribute to improving this course, contact Helena Zielinska at Department of Corrective Services at Helena.Zielinska@correctiveservices.wa.gov.au .

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3. An update from DTWD

It is almost 12 months since the de-merger that separated the Department of Training and Workforce Development from Education, and you might be wondering what has been the impact on adult literacy support services.

After some major re-structuring, work is still on-going to decide which programs will continue and which will be changed.  Budgets are still very tight as a result of the Global Financial Crisis.  Despite these uncertainties, much of the Department’s work in supporting adult literacy provision has continued.

We continue our collaboration with Education to apply the ABC of Two Way Literacy and Learning research and products to the adult sector.  Introductory ABC workshops were well attended in Broome and East Perth over the past month with representatives from both sectors.  Participants enjoyed the new publications that provide models of Aboriginal English used in different parts of the state.  Staff from both Departments presented a session on the publications at the ACAL conference in Darwin.  The Department has committed funding to produce a new Adult Aboriginal Literacy strategy.

Western Australian curricula continues to be maintained.  CAVSS reaccreditation has just been finalized – the new national course number is 52313.  Plans are underway for another three curricula to be reaccredited next year: USIQ, EGE and the Course in Tutoring an Individual Adult in Literacy and Numeracy.  Western Australia and Victoria will continue to accredit our own courses while other states will hand this function to the National VET Regulator on 1st April 2011.

Watch this space for further updates on adult literacy support services as budgets get finalized. In the meantime, Margaret McHugh works in the policy area based at 151 Royal Street, and Cheryl Wiltshire works in the service delivery area based at WestOne in Prospect Place.  Margaret can be contacted on 9264 5066 and Cheryl on 9319 5515.

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4. CGEA mid-term review

Victorian curriculum managers have just announced the results of a mid term review of the Certificates in General Education for Adults (CGEA). The CGEA Network Google Group members are sharing the work of analyzing the changes, see http://groups.google.com.au/group/CGEA-Network .

The changes are fairly minor but widespread throughout the reading and writing units.  The nominal hours of the core learning plan units have increased and thus the length of the courses.  A number of units imported from training packages have changed. 

Download Version 3 of the updated curriculum from the Training Support Network -   http://trainingsupport.skills.vic.gov.au/default.cfm

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5. ACAL conference report

Fifteen Western Australian delegates traveled to Darwin for the 2010 ACAL Conference in September, some for their first ACAL conference and others their first trip to Darwin.  Five presentations from Western Australia showcased our work with an audience from New Zealand and Australia.

The conference offered the expected great range of professional learning and networking opportunities.  The Northern Territory provided us with great hospitality, from a free official welcome at Parliament House to the curator’s floor talk at the Indigenous art awards as part of the forum.

See the  ACAL website for papers from the conference and recordings from some of the keynote speakers.

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6. CAVSS recognized in NVEAC Case studies

The Course in Applied Vocational Study Skills (CAVSS) was selected as a good practice case studies by the National Vocational Equity Advisory Council (NVEAC).  See the NVEAC website for the case studies and the draft Equity Blueprint at  http://www.nveac.tvetaustralia.com.au

NVEAC plan to develop additional good practice case studies, including both public and private sector providers, so let them know if there are other initiatives that could be included.

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7.  WELL Diversity! – 2010

The National Workplace English Language and Literacy (WELL) Practitioners’ Conference is 24 to 26th November 2010. The fourth national conference for WELL Practitioners, providing an opportunity to enhance relationships, share knowledge and improve service delivery.  

Contact Katrina Hegarty on 0429 375 733 Email:  info@wellpractitioners.com.au

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8. Literacy on the Map • ACAL / VALBEC conference 2011

The 34th ACAL conference will be hosted by VALBEC.  Only 11 months to go so start planning!
Date: 26-28 September, 2011
Venue: Victoria University, Flinders Street Campus, Melbourne.

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9. NCVER latest research

Breaking down the barriers: strategies to assist apprentices with a learning disability
Sandra Cotton, Polytechnic West.

http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2283.html
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10. Links Between Literacy and Numeracy Skills and Labour Market Outcomes

This Australian Government Productivity Commission paper by Anthony Shomos was released on 20 October 2010. Comments about this publication can be submitted by completing the publications feedback form.

http://www.pc.gov.au/research/staffworkingpaper/literacy-numeracy-labour-outcomes

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11. Inviting new members

Who do you know that might be interested in WAALC activities? Forward this newsletter to colleagues who you think should be a member of WAALC. Or perhaps invite a prospective member to attend events like our conference and AGM to meet other members. We encourage all adult literacy and numeracy practitioners in WA to join WAALC now and be part of the renewed national action to have literacy embedded in adult learning at all levels.

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12. Issues? Contributions?

WAALC seeks to represent all adult educators who deliver adult literacy and numeracy programs in Western Australia. Let us know if there are issues that you think WAALC should take action on, or news to include in future newsletters. Vacancies, projects, new resources for sale or requests for input into decision making are all sought.

We would like to profile the work of members in each issue.  If you are willing to write a short article telling us a little about an interesting element of your adult literacy role, please let us know.

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13. ‘Contacts’ update

Let us know if your address changes. If you don't want to receive this newsletter or wish to suspend it while you are away on leave, please email the WAALC secretary at info@waalc.org.au

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e-WAALC News is the monthly electronic newsletter of (WAALC) the Western Australian Adult Literacy Council.

Web:   www.waalc.org.au

E-mail:   info@waalc.org.au

Postal:    WAALC, PO Box 313, Northbridge Post Shop WA 6865