Searching for the 'C' in ACE

The main focus of the paper is to examine and unravel the discourses emerging from the vocational education and training (VET) and adult and community education (ACE) sectors in the light of policy discourses that serve to construct 'community' in economic terms. The paper seeks to highlight current changes taking place in ACE as Victorian government policy discourses move to place vocational outcomes as a priority for adult community and further education (ACFE) funding. The paper draws from empirical data taken from five participating ACE coordinators from four ACE organisations, two in the Melbourne metropolitan area and three in regional Victoria. The data highlights a cautionary tale of the potential exclusion of some ACE participants who do not fit within current government policy priorities.

Published abstract.

Available papers from the 8th Australian Vocational Education and Training Research Association (AVETRA) Conference, 'Emerging futures: recent, responsive and relevant research', are indexed from TD/TNC 81.564 to TD/TNC 81.610. Show less