(ACE) program provider list - Skills for All - SA.Gov.au

Guidelines and criteria to determine eligibility to
be included in the Adult Community Education
(ACE) program provider list

Contents
Background .............................................................................................................................................. 3
ACE program information ......................................................................................................................... 4
Eligibility ............................................................................................................................................... 4
Overview of process ............................................................................................................................ 4
Obligations of being a listed ACE program provider ........................................................................... 5
The benefits of being a listed ACE program provider ......................................................................... 5
ACE program grant funding ................................................................................................................. 5
Foundation skills non-accredited (formerly called Multi-literacies) .................................................. 5
Foundation skills accredited ............................................................................................................ 6
Criteria to be a listed ACE program provider ........................................................................................... 7
Business and Governance .................................................................................................................. 7
Community........................................................................................................................................... 7
Education ............................................................................................................................................. 7
Organisations not incorporated and acting under the sponsorship of a legally constituted body ............ 8
ACE program provider selection process ................................................................................................ 9
Selection process ................................................................................................................................ 9
Remaining a listed ACE program provider .......................................................................................... 9
De-listing an ACE program provider .................................................................................................. 10
How to lodge your completed application for registration as ACE program provider........................ 10
Contact details for further information ............................................................................................... 10
DFEEST/12/135300 - Guidelines and Criteria to determine eligibility to be included in the Adult Community Education Program Provider
List – 04/09/2012
www.skills.sa.gov.au Page 2

Background
In February 2011, the Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education, Jack Snelling
announced the Skills for All vocational education reform initiative as the new strategic direction for
South Australia’s Vocational Education and Training (VET) system. The Skills for All policy direction
builds on the consultation that occurred in 2010 and which highlighted the importance of the role of
the Adult Community Education (ACE) Program in South Australia’s economic and social contexts.
The Review identified three critical challenges, which if successfully addressed, will contribute to
economic strength, workforce productivity, quality of life and social inclusion in South Australia.
The critical challenges are to:
raise the overall rate of workforce participation
address labour supply issues and
address low rates of literacy and numeracy for all South Australians.
In order to increase the proportion of the population attaining skills and qualifications to address
economic disadvantage in our community, it is recognised that one size education doesn’t necessarily
fit everyone. People learn at different paces, in different ways and some need additional support to
achieve their full potential. The ACE program addresses this need.
Skills for All is committed to strengthening the structure of the ACE program as a key component of
the education and training continuum, and to building the capacity of the ACE sector to successfully
engage South Australians facing barriers into learning that builds their Foundation skills and improves
pathways to further learning and work.
To achieve this Skill for All will:
Increase public awareness of the ACE program’s accessibility, diversity and success.
Increase investment in training places.
Increase professional development for ACE program providers.
Support strong linkages between the ACE and VET sectors.
Support strong partnerships to underpin the delivery of the ACE program and to enhance learner
outcomes.
In South Australia, the ACE program is a community learning gateway for people wanting to
participate in learning and further training but who face social and economic barriers to formal
participation. ACE provides learning programs in a supportive community setting, making it especially
valuable for hard to reach learners who may have ‘turned off’ learning.
New State Government investment of an additional $6.4 million over the next six years (2010-2016)
will create 6000 extra training places in the ACE program. This will ensure that the Program can meet
the demand for non-accredited and accredited training in Foundation Skills, and assist learners to
develop their language, literacy, numeracy, problem solving and digital literacy skills in a supportive
environment and into pathways to further learning and work.
DFEEST/12/135300 - Guidelines and Criteria to determine eligibility to be included in the Adult Community Education Program Provider
List – 04/09/2012
www.skills.sa.gov.au Page 3

ACE program information
Eligibility
This document is to assist organisations to determine their eligibility to be included on the Adult
Community Education Program provider list.
ACE program providers are organisations that are not-for-profit, community based, able to
demonstrate that adult education and training is a key focus of their business, and meet the selection
criteria.
A not-for-profit organisation is one which is not operating for the profit or gain of its individual
members, whether these gains would have been direct or indirect. This applies both while the
organisation is operating and when it winds up. Any profit made by the organisation goes back into
the operation of the organisation to carry out its purpose and is not distributed to any of its members.
(ato.gov.au/nonprofit/content.aspdoc=/content/33732.htm)
The ACE program provider process is managed by the Department of Further Education,
Employment, Science and Technology (DFEEST), Foundation Skills Unit. Selected providers will be
listed on the ACE program provider’s register held by the Foundation Skills Unit for up to three years.
Selection as an ACE program provider with DFEEST entitles the provider to apply for competitive
ACE program Grant Funding for up to three years from date of listing, but it does not guarantee
funding.
Organisations not eligible to apply to be an ACE program provider include:
Commercial organisations or *registered training organisations (RTOs) that are for private profit.
TAFE SA Institutes.
Universities Industry organisations (eg Skills Boards, Regional Development Australia, Broker
Services).
Organisations who are not registered as a business in South Australia or whose principal place of
operations is not in South Australia.
State or Federal government agencies.
*Not-for-profit RTOs must be Skills for All training providers and have the Certificate I in Education
and Skills Development curriculum on scope of registration to be eligible
Overview of process
This document provides the framework for the process of selecting ACE program providers.
Applications are submitted to the Foundation Skills Unit which consider, assess and decide on the
application. Selection as an ACE program provider is for up to three years and does not guarantee
grant funding through the ACE program, which is a competitive process.
DFEEST/12/135300 - Guidelines and Criteria to determine eligibility to be included in the Adult Community Education Program Provider
List – 04/09/2012
www.skills.sa.gov.au Page 4

Obligations of being a listed ACE program provider
Selected providers will need to maintain the required standards as outlined in the criteria. The onus is
on the provider to notify the Foundation Skills Unit of any change to the information provided against
the criteria in the application form.
The benefits of being a listed ACE program provider
Benefits include:
Eligibility to apply for ACE program competitive grant funding.
Recognition of past performance as a ACE program provider.
Recognition of current capability of providers new to the ACE program.
Opportunities to contribute to and participate in ACE program professional development activities
for providers.
Regular updated information on relevant policies and other related initiatives.
Supported access to networks and partnerships.
Market recognition as a quality provider of the ACE program in South Australia.
ACE program grant funding
The ACE program provides grant funding for Foundation Skills projects. There are two types of
Foundation Skills projects that the ACE program fund and these are:
Foundation skills non-accredited (formerly called Multi-literacies)
Foundation Skills Non-accredited projects are designed to provide a high level of support and to
engage learners into relevant training that develops their ability to function effectively in life,
community and work. Foundation Skills Non-accredited projects may have a focus on any of the
following literacies:
Functional literacy.
Critical literacy.
Cultural literacy.
Computer literacy.
Community literacy.
Financial literacy.
Employment literacy.
Health literacy.
Environmental literacy.
Foundation Skills Non-accredited projects must use the Certificate I in Education and Skills
Development curriculum as a quality framework for learning and to develop language, literacy and
numeracy capabilities and build learner confidence. The use of the curriculum provides a natural
progression from Foundation Skills Non-accredited projects to Foundation Skills Accredited projects.
DFEEST/12/135300 - Guidelines and Criteria to determine eligibility to be included in the Adult Community Education Program Provider
List – 04/09/2012
www.skills.sa.gov.au Page 5

Foundation skills accredited
Foundation Skills Accredited projects are designed around an area of vocational interest or intent that
is relevant to the learner and are structured to integrate the development of literacy and numeracy
skills to improve and explore pathways to further learning and work in a highly supportive
environment.
Foundation Skills Accredited projects must deliver and assess training using a select number of highly
relevant units from the Certificate I in Education and Skills Development curriculum. The aim is to
improve learner literacy and numeracy skills and build learner confidence to move into pathways to
further learning and work.
Organisations applying for selection as a provider of Foundation Skills Accredited projects are
advised that:
a) If they are an RTO they must be a Skills for All training provider and have the Certificate I in
Education & Skills Development on scope of registration.
b) If they are not an RTO they will be required to partner with an RTO to enable the training to be
accredited. A partnering RTO for accreditation purposes must be a Skills for All training
provider and have the Certificate I in Education & Skills Development on scope of registration.
c) If they chose to sub-contract the services of an RTO to deliver and or/assess training on their
behalf the RTO must be a Skills for All training provider and have the Certificate I in Education
& Skills Development on scope of registration.
DFEEST/12/135300 - Guidelines and Criteria to determine eligibility to be included in the Adult Community Education Program Provider
List – 04/09/2012
www.skills.sa.gov.au Page 6

Criteria to be a listed ACE program provider
Any organisation wishing to be an ACE program provider with the Foundation Skills Unit must
demonstrate that it meets all the following criteria:
Business and Governance
Is a not-for-profit organisation with rules that prevent remuneration or material and property
benefits from being distributed to individual members, including members of its governing body.
Is governed by appropriate policies, operational guidelines and quality procedures that allow it to
meet its legal requirements as an incorporated body and its business and community obligations.
Is Incorporated in South Australia as a community owned and managed not-for-profit incorporated
association/ company or is a not-for-profit with ‘Limited by Guarantee’ and is registered with the
Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and has an Australian
Business Number (ABN).
Has Public Liability Insurance of $20 million.
Community
Has a governing body that draws the majority of its members from the community or community
of interest that it serves.
Effectively engages with and responds to its community or community of interest.
Effectively partners with other organisations.
Provides programs that are accessible to the general community.
Education
Identifies education as a key function in its constitution/articles of association.
Has a business plan that incorporates adult community educational goals and objectives and
demonstrates how these are integral to the whole of organisation objectives.
Can deliver quality adult education programs and services to meet the learning needs of the local
community or a community of interest.
Can provide adult education programs that meet the requirements of the DFEEST Adult
Community Education Program in the current context of the South Australian Government Skills
for All policy.
Organisations will need to demonstrate that they meet the above criteria through the self-assessment
tool provided and by providing a limited number of verification documents.
DFEEST/12/135300 - Guidelines and Criteria to determine eligibility to be included in the Adult Community Education Program Provider
List – 04/09/2012
www.skills.sa.gov.au Page 7

Organisations not incorporated and acting under the sponsorship
of a legally constituted body
Eligible organisations that are not incorporated can apply to be a provider under a sponsorship
arrangement with a legally constituted body.
Sponsored organisations are encouraged to consider networks and/or partnerships that facilitate
delivery of outcomes for their local community. These organisations should also be aware that should
they be granted ACE program funding through a competitive process, the sponsor organisation will
sign the grant funding contract and receive all contract payments.
Eligible organisations applying to be a provider who are not incorporated must provide a copy of the
Sponsorship Agreement that specifies:
A committee of management or reference group is responsible for overseeing business and
functions of the organisation.
Responsibility for the management of programs and services and acquittal of funds and
deliverables.
The sponsoring body’s legal and financial responsibility to the ACE organisation.
The business and financial viability of the ACE organisation.
The line of communication between the ACE organisation and the ACE program.
The roles and responsibilities of the sponsoring body and the ACE organisation including
reporting against funding outcomes.
Transparency of funding ie that the funds received through the ACE program are able to be
discreetly identified, accounted and reported.
DFEEST/12/135300 - Guidelines and Criteria to determine eligibility to be included in the Adult Community Education Program Provider
List – 04/09/2012
www.skills.sa.gov.au Page 8

ACE program provider selection process
Selection process
Organisations wishing to be an ACE program provider should:
Carefully read and understand the selection criteria.
Contact the Foundation Skills Unit if there are any questions.
Complete the application form which includes:
– cover sheet and attached evidence as per the checklist provided
– organisation Self-Assessment
– declaration.
Forward the completed application for the consideration of the Foundation Skills Unit.
The Foundation Skills Unit staff will upon receipt of the completed application form:
Send an acknowledgement letter for the receipt of documentation.
If necessary contact the organisation to ensure they understand the selection criteria.
Meet with any applicant that has not previously received DFEEST grant funding.
Take into consideration the past performance of existing DFEEST grant funded applicants.
Assess the information provided in the application against the stated criteria to determine the
extent to which the criteria are met.
Determine if selected, and depending on the extent to which the criteria is met, the period of time
the organisation will be listed as a provider (up to 3 years).
Advise the organisation in writing of the outcome of the application which may take up to four
weeks from date of letter of receipt.
Place the organisations details on the ACE program provider list.
Unsuccessful applicants will be advised as to why they were not selected and provided with
feedback on their application.
Remaining a listed ACE program provider
Organisations will need to re-apply before their date of listing expires using the process outlined in
this document.
At least three months prior to the listing expiring, the Foundation Skills Unit will formally notify the
provider of the need to seek re-apply. A letter will be sent to the organisation to advise that they need
to re-apply to remain on the ACE program provider list. Listing will expire if the provider does not reapply.
DFEEST/12/135300 - Guidelines and Criteria to determine eligibility to be included in the Adult Community Education Program Provider
List – 04/09/2012
www.skills.sa.gov.au Page 9

De-listing an ACE program provider
Listed providers may request in writing that they be removed from the ACE program provider list at
any time. A letter confirming this has occurred will be provided by the Foundation Skills Unit.
The Director, Participation and Equity Directorate may also request that an ACE program provider be
removed from the list. Prior to removal a letter will be provided to the provider to outline the reason for
the removal and a date at which this comes into effect.
The following may be reasons for removal:
Notification by the organisation of a change to the information contained in the application form
that affects the organisation’s capacity to meet the selection criteria.
Evidence of non-compliance against the selection criteria.
Failure to provide true and correct information of a material nature in the application form.
It is important to note that removal from the provider list means that a provider is no longer eligible to
apply for ACE program grant funding during the next round unless re-selected. Performance of an
ACE program provider funded to deliver Foundation Skills occurs through the contract management
processes.
How to lodge your completed application for registration as ACE program
provider
Completed application can be submitted by mail to:
Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology
Foundation Skills Unit
GPO Box 320
Adelaide SA 5001
Please note only completed applications will be considered. Organisations submitting incomplete
applications will be notified by letter that the application will not be processed until such time as all the
required information is received by the Foundation Skills Unit.
Contact details for further information
Organisations are encouraged to contact staff in the Foundation Skills Unit to clarify any of the
information contained in this document or to obtain assistance with any of the processes at:
Foundation Skills Unit
Jessica Marzocca
Telephone: 8463 5537
Email: jessica.marzocca@sa.gov.au
DFEEST/12/135300 - Guidelines and Criteria to determine eligibility to be included in the Adult Community Education Program Provider
List – 04/09/2012
www.skills.sa.gov.au Page 10