FEDERAL Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce is urging local communities to support activities for Adult Learners’ Week, which this year is celebrating its 20th anniversary as an important event on the Australian calendar.

The theme for this year’s Adult Learners’ Week, which is held from 1 to 8 September, is ‘unlocking learning’, with a focus on life-long learning for everyone.

“I encourage everyone in the New England Electorate to get involved in Adult Learners’ Week activities, whether it is to help raise awareness of literacy and numeracy issues, learn new skills, or to explore the opportunities out there for further learning,” Mr Joyce said.

Mr Joyce said the New England Community College in Guyra will be holding an open day on Thursday, 3 September from 10am to 4pm. Stalls will be set up in the training rooms displaying posters, information, registration forms, and finished products from the courses the Community College has run.

“Adult Learners’ Week promotes life-long learning, supporting improved workforce participation and productivity for adults through increased participation in education and training,” he said.

“Each year, Adult Learners’ Week is celebrated with hundreds of events and activities designed to promote the benefits of learning – in the home, at work, and in the community – and to highlight the many options available.” Mr Joyce said.

“Those celebrating Adult Learners’ Week, in the electorate of New England and across Australia, will join a world-wide effort to promote life-long learning, with Adult Learners’ Week events being held all over the globe.

“This years’ theme of ‘Unlocking Learning: Lifelong learning for everyone’ addresses the common misconception that learning and education ends with traditional schooling.

“Learning is a lifelong activity, as attested to by the growing number of adult learners expanding their skills, knowledge and interests on an ongoing basis.

“Whether you want to learn new skills, change careers, or address literacy and numeracy skills, access to education is vital to a socially inclusive, productive and innovative Australia, no matter what stage of life you are at.”

Further details can be found at: http://www.adultlearnersweek.org/