ACFE

Over the last 12 months MiLife-Victoria has delivered 12 pre-accredited Adult and Community Funded Education (ACFE) programs with many students participating in one or more courses throughout the week. The programs are designed to support people with disability to develop confidence and provide them with skills and knowledge to prepare them for the workforce, volunteering and other vocational activities.

Over the last financial year students participated in the following courses:

• Literacy

• Working in Administration

• Working in Car Detailing

• Working in Hospitality

• Working as a Volunteer

• Working in Retail

• Getting a Job

• Horticulture

• Introduction to Computers

• Working in Warehousing

• Digital Essentials

All courses were held online for the first half of the financial year as the lockdowns in Victoria meant that classes were unable to be held face to face and many businesses remained closed with staff working from home.

Online classes were challenging as the ACFE tutors had to find ideas to keep students engaged and interested. Students were already well versed in using Zoom as the previous year had provided plenty of opportunity for online learning. Online cooking classes presented more of a challenge, however it was good to see how adaptable and resilient the students were.

Once restrictions lifted students enjoyed returning to the classroom and work environment, as well as catching up in person with their friends and tutors. Many friendships started to form outside of class too with a group of students attending Morning Melodies in Rosebud together once a month.

Workplace visits to places such as the Melbourne Town Hall, Aged Care Expo at the Showgrounds, Arts Centre and businesses of interest provided students with the opportunity to learn about different workplaces and the types of jobs available within those workplaces. Students received a worksheet about each business which they have to work through and complete. This provides students an opportunity to learn more about the businesses they visit.

There have been some wonderful stories of achievement throughout the year with one student gaining full-time employment at Sandhurst Country Club where she works as a kitchen hand. She loves her job and has enjoyed working with her colleagues in the kitchen and making new friends. She enjoyed attending ACFE on Tuesdays so much that she negotiated with her boss to have Tuesdays off each week so she can still attend.

Two clients who regularly volunteer at the Salvation Army Opportunity Shop in Frankston are looked upon as extremely valuable volunteers. One lady has grown in confidence and has developed excellent employability skills during her time doing this course.

The tutors, Sandra, Paula, Paul and Maria have done an excellent job throughout the year to keep students engaged and learning despite some very trying times.

On-site workplace training provides students with real life work experience that would not be able to occur without the support of local businesses. Thank you to the following businesses for their support throughout the year.

• Salvation Army, Frankston

• Bunnings, Hastings

• Mitsubishi, Frankston

• Langwarrin Community Centre

• The Meadows Farm, Balnarring

• Ebenezer Village, Langwarrin