Addressing the Challenge: Improving Literacy, Numeracy, and Digital Skills
The Albanese Government is working to close the gap in Indigenous disadvantage by launching a new Indigenous stream within the Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) foundation skills program. The program will provide training and support to help Indigenous Australians improve their basic literacy, numeracy, and digital literacy skills.
The new stream is part of the government’s $436 million investment to reform how the Commonwealth delivers foundation skills programs. The goal is to ensure all Australians have the core literacy, numeracy, and digital literacy skills they need to succeed in education, employment, and life.
A New Stream of Opportunities with the Skills for Education and Employment Program
Redesigning the Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) program will create more opportunities for Australians to access training and improve their language, literacy, numeracy, and digital skills. By 2026-27, it is expected to support up to 2,000 First Nations people annually.
Starting 1 July 2024, the foundation skills program will have two distinct streams. The first stream will cater to job seekers, employees, and individuals not currently engaged in formal education, employment, or training. The new second stream will target First Nations people by providing grants to community-controlled organisations. These organisations will then partner directly with training providers to offer tailored support.
This decision was made after extensive consultation with Indigenous representatives through the Foundation Skills Advisory Group. It demonstrates the government’s dedication to working closely with First Nations Australians and ensuring their needs are addressed in policy development.
Extension of Foundation Skills for Your Future Program
As the redesign process takes place, the government will extend the Foundation Skills for Your Future: Remote Community Pilots program for an additional 12 months, until 30 June 2024. This extension is vital to ensure ongoing support for communities like Tennant Creek and 10 other remote areas where this pilot program is currently making a positive impact.
Launching the new stream is a positive step towards closing the gap in Indigenous disadvantage. The program will provide much-needed training and support to Indigenous Australians and help them improve their literacy, numeracy, and digital literacy skills.
