ACE is the most decentralised of the education sectors. ACE refers to the provision of those general adult education programs and activities which fall outside, but complement, the formal programs and qualification pathways provided by the school, VET and higher education sectors. ACE focuses on the provision of learning opportunities at a community level, rather than work-related training. The community education and VET sectors are the largest providers of adult recreational and leisure courses.
Courses range from general interest, recreational and leisure activities, personal development, social awareness and craft, through to vocational, remedial and basic education. Community-based adult education is open to all, and its non-formal characteristics demonstrate the capacity of the community to develop alternatives to institutionalised education. In 2001, 36% of students enrolled in ACE courses were enrolled in Arts, humanities and social sciences courses, 21% in Health and community services courses, and 15% in VET multi-field education courses (table 10.30).
Recreation, leisure and personal enrichment enrolments are mainly with community-based providers (74% of students in 2001), the balance being almost entirely with government VET providers. There were 238,900 enrolments in these programs in 2001, 72% of which were by females.
10.30 COURSE ENROLMENTS IN PERSONAL ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS - 2001
|
 | Males | Females | All enrolments(a) |
| ’000 | ’000 | ’000 |
|
| Land and marine resources, animal husbandry | 2.5 | 4.1 | 6.7 |
| Architecture, building | 3.2 | 5.6 | 8.8 |
| Arts, humanities and social sciences | 18.1 | 67.9 | 87.0 |
| Business, administration and economics | 4.1 | 6.9 | 11.1 |
| Education | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.3 |
| Engineering and surveying | 2.6 | 4.2 | 6.9 |
| Health, community services | 9.8 | 39.7 | 50.0 |
| Law, legal studies | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.6 |
| Science | 4.3 | 5.9 | 10.2 |
| Veterinary science, animal care | - | 0.1 | 0.2 |
| Services, hospitality and transportation | 5.9 | 15.1 | 21.1 |
| VET multi-field education | 14.1 | 21.8 | 36.1 |
| Total | 65.0 | 171.7 | 238.9 |
|
| (a) Includes sex not stated. |
Source: National Centre for Vocational Education Research, data available on request. |
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