- intouch Magazine
Accessible & Affordable Education When it’s Needed Most
The coronavirus pandemic has impacted on every aspect of life. With instability and insecurity at every turn, trying to navigate these changes can seem daunting.
Atwea has always strived to provide a stable learning platform that could flex and adjust to the ever-changing needs of the community. While Atwea and its communities have faced many challenges over its 100-year history, in this current climate, adaptability has never been more important.
As a provider of education and learning to some of our community’s most vulnerable, our role is to connect with our community and respond to their shifting needs to ensure that we can assist our community as best we can.
Despite the challenges, Atwea has been able to harness opportunities for the community in new and innovative ways, providing learning and education pathways that add value to individuals and communities with economic outcomes.
As COVID-19 took hold of 2020, our experience told us to move quickly to ensure that our community could access an appropriate mix of education and training courses in ways that were safe, practical and appropriate to a changing world.
We know that after times of crisis, people will look to diversify, update and reaffirm their competitiveness within their personal and professional lives. We also know that many look in very different directions and would demand different ways of accessing learning opportunities.
In response, Atwea has worked with local employers to help craft skill set courses, qualifications and learning pathways that will not only provide our community with the right skills to tackle new markets but will support individuals to plan their next career move. With the assistance of a NSW Government Grant, Atwea brought forward a number of skills training courses and learner designed programs to help prepare the community for a changed workplace landscape.
Atwea focused on providing courses in skill sets in focused service industries, business, health and community services. It also provided training for entry-level job seekers through customised skill sets.
The College was successful in securing the grant through the government’s Training Services NSW, Department of Education under the ACE Relief to combat the effects of the COVID-19 crisis. This grant supported the development of adaptive learning and training delivery methods specifically for people who have been redeployed, unemployed, low to middle-income adults who were at home or considering future job prospects.
We remain committed to our core business of providing quality face to face education, however, in assisting the community’s transition to flexible and accessible learning platforms, we have also integrated online options into many Atwea courses, including Diploma and accredited skills training qualifications. This is an essential step in ensuring that Atwea’s courses are accessible and relevant to our students.
Atwea also acknowledges the importance of offering opportunities for our community to engage in learning programs that advance their personal wellbeing. Given the current climate, community assistance extends beyond employability, and towards a further focus on wellbeing. The coronavirus pandemic has created staggering levels of isolation and discontent within the broader community. Atwea believes that an important aspect of its operation lies with its ability to facilitate personal growth and connections. Atwea continues to offer a wide range of courses for those wishing to form social connects, or simply learn a new skill.
Now more than ever, there is a need for people to be able to access relevant training facilities. Whether it’s helping students find a job, advancing their careers or learn for fun, Atwea strives to create an environment that is both affordable and accessible to all.
