Community Colleges NSW

Community Colleges Australia was launched in 2007 in Canberra and was established as the peak-body for not-for-profit owned learning organisations across Australia. As long-established learning organisations located in metropolitan, regional and rural locations, ‘community colleges' are strategically placed to provide focus on individual and student welfare with commitment to the employment outcomes for, and personal development of, the individual.

Our vision is for dynamic and vibrant Australian communities, informed and empowered through learning. To make our vision a reality, we work to empower the community education sector by:

• Increasing the awareness of the sector and its place in the economic and social fabric of our nation.
• Advocating at all levels of government on the value of the community education sector, and our members’ activities and programs.
• Building business opportunities for our members.

As a peak body, CCA works on behalf of its members to enable them to achieve social, cultural and economic aspirations for their communities, as well as ensuring their own financial sustainability. This includes the enhancement and strengthening of delivery of quality community education throughout Australia. Community Colleges Australia:

• Represents the not-for-profit community education sector nationally to government and relevant agencies, other industry associations, the business community, not-for-profit organisations and the media, seeking greater recognition of adult, community and continuing education in all its forms, from formalised training to informal lifelong learning.
• Advocates for a greater recognition of adult, community and continuing education in all its forms, from formalised training to informal lifelong learning.
• Creates a forum for co-operation, exchange of information, ideas and issues within the community education sector.
• Develops and facilitates opportunities for new products, services and partnerships that will benefit its members.

Community Colleges Australia (CCA) is committed to providing input into the adult education policy debate at federal, state and territory government levels. CCA undertakes to express its members’ interests to ensure that the vital work undertaken by locally-owned NFP education providers of VET, foundation courses, personal development and life-long learning is acknowledged and represented in future government agendas. This includes not only education policy, but other key areas that CCA members work across, including social inclusion, disability, health and ageing, Indigenous, re-engaging youth and refugee/migrant education. CCA’s Professional Development (PD) program is well-established and offered via face-to-face, online meetings and through our online networks. CCA runs regular professional development programs for member CEOs, Boards of Directors, VET managers, trainers and assessors, and marketing/promotions officers.