Carlton community lifelong learning hub: final report

This report constitutes the detailed findings of the research project undertaken by Swinburne University into the establishment of the Carlton Community Lifelong Learning Hub. The first two sections describe in detail the processes which were undertaken and the steps involved in putting into place the governance structures and regulatory framework by which the Hub could safely, legally and effectively operate. The next section details the primary research which was carried out with residents and other stakeholders in order to ascertain the educational backgrounds, learning needs, opportunities and barriers which affect residents’ opportunities to participate in lifelong learning. Key findings of this research indicate: Residents are characterised by a very wide range of educational backgrounds, personal circumstances and learning needs; Two-thirds of residents were born in countries other than Australia, and more than half of these report that they speak English not well or not at all; The predominant household type is a single mother and her children; Women have received substantially less formal education than men, whether in Australia or overseas; Newly arrived migrants, people from Africa, the Middle East and Vietnam and single mothers all have much higher than average unemployment rates. Many residents in Carlton fall into all three categories; A high percentage of residents had used both computers and the internet and many had computers at home, some with home internet connections as well. Nonetheless, more than half of the survey respondents indicated that they would like to receive more training in computer use; Carlton is well served by agencies which offer learning opportunities to residents, and these are well patronised. There is still a need for more opportunities, however, as structural barriers continue to inhibit access to existing services; Barriers to participation include lack of access to childcare or respite care for dependents, financial concerns, health problems, lack of time, language and literacy difficulties, length of time required to complete a course, lack of knowledge of what is available, lack of prior experience, and disinterest in what is on offer; Safety of residents is an ongoing concern, particularly in the light of activities in the area associated with the use of illicit drugs.