CAE [also known as Council of Adult Education (1946-2001); Centre for Adult Education (2001-2003)]

Full description

CAE was originally established as the Council of Adult Education in 1946 under the Adult Education Act 1946. The initial Council was drawn from informal adult education providers, such as the University Extension program and the Workers' Education Association. In 1948, city and suburban classes began, taking the form of lecture series which covered general education and cultural subjects.

The Council of Adult Education also expanded into rural areas, encouraging the development of drama groups and neighbourhood houses. It also introduced specialist classes, such as those devoted to women who could not attend evening lectures, classes for the handicapped and programs for prison inmates. During the 1960s, the Council of Adult Education began running classes which were semi-vocational in nature, and in 1969, began conducting Higher School Certificate (HSC) classes. In 1974, programs in basic education and adult literacy were run for the first time.

In 1981, the functions of the Council were further defined through the Council of Adult Education Act 1981. The Adult, Community and Further Education Act 1991 established an Adult, Community and Further Education Board (VA 4280) which became responsible for allocating Government funding to all Adult Education Institutions, including the Council of Adult Education.

During the 1990s, the Council continued to offer accredited courses, and developed new programs in areas such as Koori education, education for people from non English-speaking backgrounds and programs for people deemed at risk of continued unemployment. It continued to offer the HSC (then VCE - Victorian School Certificate) for adults.

In 2001, the Victorian Parliament passed an amendment to the Adult Community and Further Education Act 1991, changing the name of the Council of Adult Education to the Centre for Adult Education. In 2003, following debate regarding whether adult and centre were still relevant names for the organisation, the Centre for Adult Education was re-branded and the organisation became known as CAE.

Until 2006, the Council/CAE was situated within the education portfolio. Following machinery of government changes after the re-election of the Bracks Government in November 2006, the adult and community education function (including CAE) was moved from the Department of Education and Training (VA 4829) to the Department for Victorian Communities (VA 4562) as part of the Local Government, Employment and Adult Education Division.

CAE is classified as an Adult Education Institution and receives Government funding through the Adult, Community and Further Education Board. As at 2007 its main areas of teaching are arts, languages and adult secondary education. It also teaches courses in areas such as business, computers, human services, wellbeing, fitness and literacy.