Adult Community Education Program
Frequently Asked Questions
2016-2017

Why does my organisation have to be a listed ACE Program Provider before we can apply for Foundation Skills grant funding?

Only eligible organisation can apply for Foundation Skills grant funding; the Listing Process determines this and ensures organisations don’t waste their time applying for funding they are not eligible to receive. The Listing Process also means the application process for Foundation Skills grant funding has been simplified and past performance can now be considered. The Guidelines, Criteria and Application Form to determine eligibility to be included in the ACE Program Provider List can be downloaded from

How do the funding and outcome priorities affect the way funding is allocated in comparison to the past?

Identifying funding and outcome priorities means that grant funding will be proportionally allocated to communities with high need across the state. It is about ensuring equity and transparency in the allocation of public grant funds.

Why is digital literacy a funding priority?

Digital literacy is now recognised nationally as an essential foundation skill to enable full participation in learning, volunteering and work. Whilst digital literacy skill development has been included in past projects, adding a digital literacy priority provides an opportunity to include a stronger focus in the future projects.

Under reporting we will be required to report on participant numbers. How is this done for Foundation Skills Accredited?

Providers who are not an RTO will need to partner with an RTO who will provide the participant numbers and unit completions to the Department of State Development on your behalf. Providers who are RTOs will include this information in the reporting template.

Under the progress reporting requirements there is mention of recording literacy and numeracy levels on entry into a project, what does this mean and how much work is involved?

Foundation Skills grant funding is designed to improve literacy and numeracy skills so it is important that we make a judgement about a learners existing ability at the point of entry into a project. All providers need to enrol their learners, so to keep things simple we have developed a consistent approach to this and some helpful tools that mean providers can make a judgement about a learners basic reading, writing and numeracy skills and record it for reporting purposes. As it is embedded in the existing enrolment process this keeps the time involved to a minimum.

Under the final reporting requirements there is mention of recordingliteracy and numeracy levels on exit from a project, what does this mean and how much work is involved?

Foundation Skills grant funding is designed to improve literacy and numeracy so it is important that we make a judgement about a learner’s ability at the point of exit from a project. All providers need to get their learners to complete an evaluation survey prior to finishing their course. To keep things simple we have developed a consistent approach to this and some helpful tools that mean providers of Foundation Skills Non-Accredited can make a judgement about a learners exit basic reading, writing and numeracy skills and record it for reporting purposes. As it is embedded in the existing evaluation survey process this keeps the time involved to a minimum.

Foundation Skills Accredited is slightly different in that it automatically records the exit reading, writing and numeracy skills levels through the assessment process as these are embedded within the units of the National Foundation Skills Training Package (FSK). So whilst learners in Foundation Skills Accredited courses will complete an evaluation survey it isn’t used to make a judgement about exit literacy and numeracy levels.

In the progress and final reports we will be asked to provide information on pathways, how are we meant to do this?

With the use of a consistent evaluation survey tool (provided by the Department of State Development) that includes a question on pathways and a data collection worksheet (provided by the Department of State Development) that collates evaluation survey data, it is a fairly straightforward process to identify pathway information on all learners and include this information in the reporting templates.

We haven’t had to include an Evaluation Report before, what is the expectation?

The evaluation survey tool has six questions to facilitate a consistent approach to determining how well the project met the learner’s needs. This information is entered into the data collection worksheet for collation and easy reference to as a basis for your Evaluation Report. The report needs to summarise what the evaluation survey identified and include any other information you feel is important as well as detail any actions taken as a result of feedback and recommendations for improvement. Providers will need to attach both the Evaluation Report and the data collection worksheet to their final report. By including the data collection worksheet the Department of State Development will be able to collate and report on all evaluation survey data for the whole ACE Program from a single source.

Do I need to enter data into STELA too?

This depends on what kind of Foundation Skills project you are delivering and if you are an RTO or not.

  • If you are funded to deliver a Foundation Skills Non-Accredited project then you will need to enter your enrolment data and outcomes into STELA (Student Training Enrolment Logistics Application).
  • If you are funded to deliver a Foundation Skills Accredited project and are an RTO then you will need to enter your enrolment data and outcomes into STELA.
  • If you are funded to deliver a Foundation Skills Accredited project and are not an RTO and you are using a private RTO then they will need to enter your enrolment data and outcomes into STELA.
  • If you are funded to deliver a Foundation SkillsAccreditedproject and are not an RTO and you are using TAFE SA then they will need to enter your enrolment data and outcomes into SIS (Student Information System).

I am delivering a Foundation Skills Non-Accredited project, how often do I need to enter data into STELA?

The Department of State Development requires all training organisations, receiving Government funding, to report their training data quarterly through STELA.The Foundations and Engagement Unit, ACE Program will work with ACE Providers to meet quarterly reporting requirements.

Can I change the selected Units in my project after my project has commenced?

Yes. If there is a reason that you require a change to the Units you are delivering your Non-Accredited Program please advise the Project Officer, ACE Program, the Department of State Development. The Department of State Development will work with you to ensure you are selecting the most appropriate Units and support you to resubmit an amended Course Plan.

If you are delivering an Accredited project, you will need to liaise with your Auspicing RTO prior to contacting the Department of State Development, to ensure that they have the Units you are wishing to change on their scope of registration. The Department of State Development and your Auspicing RTO will work with you to ensure you are selecting the most appropriate Units and support you to resubmit an amended Integrated Assessment and Delivery Plan.

Please note, if a change is made to selected units the organisation is still required to meet the targeted participant numbers and student contact hours as outlined in your contract unless a variation to the contract is applied for.

Updated approved Course Plans and Integrated Assessment and Delivery Plans will need to be provided to the Department of State Development Contract Management Unit ()

Can I change my contracted target participant numbers and student contact hours after my project has commenced?

Yes. If for any reason you believe that you will not be able to meet your contracted target participant numbers or student contact hours, you should contact the Project Officer, ACE Program, the Department of State Development immediately. The Project Officer will work with you to discuss your options. If it is determined that a reduction in your contracted target participant number or student contact hours is the best option, you will need to apply for a formal variation of contract. This request should be submitted to Contract Management by emailing . Please note that a variation of contract may result in a reduction in your funding amount (i.e., final payment).

Who can I call for advice or assistance?

Jessica Marzocca, Senior Program Coordinator, ACE Program on 8463 5537.

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