Adult and Community Education
Adult and Community Education (ACE) promotes, facilitates and celebrates the joy of lifelong learning.
ACE is an essential part of New Zealand's tertiary education system and contributes to the social and economic outcomes sought by the government and outlined in the Tertiary Education Strategy 2007/12.
ACE creates strong connections between the tertiary education organisations and the communities they serve and promotes success for all New Zealanders through lifelong learning.
The goals outlined in "Koia! Koia! - Towards a learning society" and the contribution to tertiary education by ACE providers described in the TES/STEP provides the framework for the entire ACE sector.
Access to ongoing education and the opportunity to learn new skills will help our country to reach its full potential – learning itself is valued and valuable in a "learning society".
The "adult approach" to ACE, enabling learners to make their own choices about where, what and how they learn, free from the pressure and competition associated with formal courses and qualifications.
An important part of ACE is "taking learning to the learners". Programmes are held in community halls, church buildings and people's homes, as well as in schools and other educational institutions. Learning doesn't stop when you leave school, or leave the workforce.
For providers, regional Tertiary Education Commission ACE Networks provide an opportunity to collaborate to better meet the learning needs and learning progression of adult learners. Regional networks also ensure effective use of resources.
ACE information
You can read more about ACE in the sections of the website that follow:
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