Community Education Australia (CEA) is the peak national body that represents community-owned, not-for-profit education providers
Our vision is for dynamic and vibrant communities, informed and empowered through learning. To make our vision a reality, CEA works to empower Australia’s community education sector by increasing the awareness of the sector and its place in the economic and social fabric of our nation. CEA advocates at all levels of government on the value of the community education sector, and for our members’ activities and programs.
CEA assists its members to sustain and grow, promoting learning innovation, focussing especially on vulnerable and disadvantaged learners. They focus on student welfare and are strongly committed to employment outcomes for their learners.
Our members have been providing flexible and dynamic education and training opportunities to individuals, groups and businesses for a long time – in some instances more than 100 years.
As well as operating in accredited VET, CEA members offer a range of other learning opportunities, including non-accredited training, lifestyle and lifelong and cultural learning courses – education for which they are historically well-known. These educational activities help build self-esteem, re-engage “missing” learners and create and sustain social and community networks, all of which help to reinforce and sustain the communities in which our members operate.
Our sector’s history permits our members to be strategic and innovative in their flexibility to employ a wide range of tools.
Our sector plays a strategic role because our members have the freedom to take considered risks. They are not bound by government structures in the way that TAFEs are, nor are they beholden to private shareholders to supply cash returns in the way of for-profit private providers. Our members have an historic commitment to invest in their communities and respond to the needs of vulnerable and disadvantaged Australians, including a commitment to foundation skills. They do this through small class sizes, focussing on personal support, and creating connections to and collaborations with local non-government organisations, government agencies, social services and employers.
Culture and values
We will exemplify and foster the following culture and values:
Agility
CEA values the ability to move quickly and provide timely and responsive services. This includes appropriate and responsive communication with members and stakeholders on matters of importance or concern.
Care
We emphasise the importance of care in all interactions. CEA promotes respect, acceptance, empathy, and active listening, placing member well-being at the heart of our mission.
Collaboration
CEA recognises that success is vested in collaborative effort and encourages all members and staff to help and support each other to facilitate the achievement of collective goals.
Integrity
CEA will never compromise on professional and ethical standards. CEA will be honest and transparent with members and stakeholders while steadfastly upholding confidentiality and accepting responsibility for its actions.
Future Focus
CEA embraces the need for continual change and will act upon new opportunities as they arise. CEA encourages fresh ideas and follows them through. CEA aims to find smart ways to deliver the best results and uses collective experience to seek solutions to problems.
Member Commitment
CEA is committed to providing responsive and high level member services. CEA will continuously improve what it does, share its knowledge to support members and collaborate with members to achieve the right outcomes.
Our history
Community Education Australia (CEA) was launched in 2007 in Canberra and was established as the peak body for not-for-profit community-owned learning organisations across Australia.
As long-established learning organisations located in metropolitan, regional and rural locations, community education providers are strategically placed to focus on individual learners and enhance student welfare. Community-based providers are committed to both employment outcomes as well as personal development of our learners.
While CEA as an industry association is a relatively new entity, our members have been providing flexible and dynamic learning opportunities to individuals, groups and businesses for a very long time – in some instances almost 110 years. The community education sector delivers accredited vocational education and training (VET) to hundreds of thousands of people each year, from pre-vocational through to Advanced Diploma courses across a diverse range of skill requirements and industry areas.
As well as delivering vocational education and training, CEA members also offer a range of learning opportunities, including non-accredited training, lifestyle and lifelong and cultural learning courses – education for which they are historically well-known. These educational activities help build self esteem, re-engage ‘missing’ learners and provide social networks for older or vulnerable people.
Community providers offer an understanding of the learning and training needs of individuals, community groups and businesses. CEA members recognise that the result of encouraging and increasing individuals’ training needs can be more vibrant and cohesive communities.
Australia’s not-for-profit education providers deliver practical and relevant education and training with supportive learning environments. Any financial surpluses from their not-for-profit activities are reinvested back into the communities that they serve. Our members are all ‘for purpose’ organisations that enhance employment prospects, leisure aspirations and social inclusion.
CEA acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the traditional custodians of our land, and that our Sydney office is located on the traditional lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.
Thank you to our supporters
