Released 18/12/2024
The latest round of the ACT Government’s Adult Community Educations (ACE) Grants Program will provide three successful recipients with $80,000 each in funding for their projects.
The ACE Grants Program provides financial assistance to not-for-profit organisations so they can help Canberrans aged 17 years or older overcome barriers to learning, training and entering the workforce.
Participants are supported to effectively participate in vocational and education training (VET) courses, apprenticeships, traineeships, higher education and employment.
The program will support Stepping Stone Social Enterprise’s Brighter Women project, which will offer a transitional employment pathway for ten migrant and refugee women. Participants will gain improved English language and hospitality skills and financial independence.
Stepping Stone’s founders Vanessa Brettell and Hannah Costello were recently awarded the 2025 ACT Local Hero Award for their work helping women from migrant and refugee backgrounds and are now finalists in the national awards to be announced on 25 January 2025.
Woden Community Service will be supported in progressing their Skills for Life project which provides foundational skills training in language, literacy, numeracy and digital skills. The program helps vulnerable, culturally and linguistically diverse individuals through training in small groups of up to 12 participants.
ACE funding will also assist Capital Region Community Service’s Building Brighter Futures project, in partnership with the Canberra Institute of Technology, in providing individuals aged 17 to 24 with foundational skills to help them to access employment and independence.
Minister for Skills, Training and Industrial Relations Michael Pettersson said both Stepping Stone and Woden Community Services were planning to collaborate, offering participants from both projects the opportunity to gain new skills and experience.
“The ACE grants program enables not-for-profit organisations to assist vulnerable Canberrans to gain the skills they need to set them on the path to employment and a better future,” said Minister Pettersson.
“It is great to see these organisations work together to provide participants with the skills and work experience that will assist them to transition into permanent employment.”
Quote attributable to Vanessa Brettell, co-founder, Stepping Stone Enterprise
“Thanks to the ACT Government's ACE grant, Stepping Stone is excited to implement the Brighter Women project which will increase our impact for women from migrant and refugee women who face multiple barriers to entering the formal workforce by creating transitional employment pathways. We look forward to collaborating with Woden Community Services to create more long-term employment opportunities for these women."
Quote attributable to Leanne Heald, Executive Manager, Woden Community Service
“Woden Community Service (WCS) is thrilled and committed to continue its Skills for Life program, providing free language, literacy and numeracy training to culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) individuals. Since 2023, the program has helped individuals overcome barriers like childcare and transport, to achieve meaningful employment and further education. In 2025, WCS is excited to be collaborating with Stepping Stones to create opportunities for CALD individuals across both programs.”
Quote attributable to Mandy Green, Chief Executive Officer, Capital Region Community Services:
"We are thrilled to receive a grant through the 2024-25 ACE grant. Partnering with the Canberra Institute of Technology, the Building Brighter Futures project will empower young Canberrans to build the foundational skills needed to effectively participant in vocational training, apprenticeships and traineeships, higher education, and employment. This initiative supports their journey toward independence and achieving their learning and career aspirations with the guidance of experienced educators, youth workers and access to tailored support services."
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Michael Pettersson, MLA | Media Releases