Adult and Community Education - a modern approach to night classes

Budget 2020 includes a $16 million boost to Adult and Community Education (ACE) to help provides meet the increased needs for training and upskilling as part of the Government’s COVID-19 response and economic recovery plan.

This includes a modern approach to rebuilding night classes.

The initiative expands courses to better support people displaced from work and facing barriers to entering the labour market, and people experiencing social isolation.

With this additional funding, New Zealanders will have access to more courses throughout the country, including night classes. This could include courses that build digital knowledge – which is increasingly essential in the modern world, foundational courses that give people opportunities in areas with skills shortages, and courses for people who can feel isolated.

Based on current levels of funding and the number of learners currently accessing Government-funded ACE, this initiative is expected to benefit up to 11,300 New Zealanders.

The funding will also support the ongoing operation of ACE Aotearoa who play an important leadership and co-ordination role across the sector and will help ensure the effective implementation of this initiative throughout New Zealand.

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