Adult Community Education
Program
Grant Funding Guidelines
2015-2016
Table of Contents
Adult Community Education Program Grant Funding Guidelines 2014-2015 ............................................................. 1 Table of Contents .............................................................................................................................................................. 2 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................................................... 3 ACE Program Structure .................................................................................................................................................... 3 Foundation Skills Grant Funding ..................................................................................................................................... 4 1. Foundation Skills Non-Accredited Grants.............................................................................................. 4 2. Foundation Skills Accredited Grants ..................................................................................................... 4 Joint Applications ........................................................................................................................................... 5 ACE Program Funding and Outcome Priorities ............................................................................................................. 7 Funding priorities............................................................................................................................................ 7 Outcome priorities .......................................................................................................................................... 7 Targeting of Projects ...................................................................................................................................... 7 Participant Eligibility ......................................................................................................................................................... 8 Adult Community Education Program: Foundation Skills Non Accredited .................................................... 8 Adult Community Education Program: Foundation Skills Accredited ............................................................ 8 Temporary Visa eligiblity for Skills for All funding .......................................................................................... 9 Annual Foundation Skills Grant Funding Application Process .................................................................................... 9 2014-2015 Foundation Skills Grant Funding Round...................................................................................... 9 Applying for Foundation Skills Grant Funding ............................................................................................... 9 Foundation Skills Grant Funding Application Forms...................................................................................... 9 Completing a Foundation Skills Grant Application Form ............................................................................. 10 Triennial Foundation Skills Grant Funding ................................................................................................................... 10 Selection Process for Foundation Skills Grant Funding Applications ....................................................................... 11 Notification of Selection Process Outcomes ................................................................................................ 12 Review Process ........................................................................................................................................... 13 Contracts and Reporting ................................................................................................................................................ 13 Contracts ...................................................................................................................................................... 13 Marketing ..................................................................................................................................................... 14 Reporting ...................................................................................................................................................... 14 Counting of Reported Data .......................................................................................................................... 15 Enrolment Forms.......................................................................................................................................... 16 Auspicing Arrangements .............................................................................................................................. 16 2015-2016 ACE Program Guidelines
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Introduction
These guidelines are designed to advise Listed Adult Community Education (ACE) providers of the principles relating to the ACE Program and application process by providing information on: 
ACE Program structure

Foundation Skills grant funding

Funding and outcome priorities

Application and selection process

Contracts and reporting
Only providers who have applied and been approved for inclusion on the ACE Program Provider List are eligible to apply for Foundation Skills grant funding. Approved ACE Program Providers may lodge separate applications for both Accredited and Non‐Accredited Foundation Skills grant funding in each region. More information about regions can be found at www.rda.gov.au. For information on how to become a a Listed ACE Program provider please refer to the Guidelines, Criteria and Application Form to determine eligibility to be included the ACE Program Provider List which are available from www.skills.sa.gov.au. ACE Program Structure and Intent
The ACE program is the community learning gateway for people to improve their foundation skills – literacy, numeracy, ditital literacy and employability skills. This engages people to start a pathway to transition into training further education and work. The ACE Program, which provides grant funding for Foundation Skills non‐accredited and accredited training, is a program within the Employment Directorate, in the Department of State Development. Foundation skills nationally are defined as the combination of: 
English language, literacy and numeracy – listening, speaking, reading, writing, digital literacy and use of mathematical ideas; and 
Employability skills, such as collaboration, problem solving, self‐management, learning and information and communication technology required for participation in modern workplaces and contemporary life. The importance of strong foundation skills in a modern, knowledge‐based society is well established. These skills underpin workforce participation, productivity and social inclusion. People with higher language, literacy and numeracy skills are more likely to be employed, participate in their community, experience better health and engage in further training. Specific language, literacy and numeracy learning programs provide a key element of the overall provision of adult literacy skills development. Activities which attract and engage adults in learning can be designed to help address their skills development needs and may have a focus on: 
Functional literacy ‐ Including reading, writing, spelling, grammar and basic mathematics operations that underpin other learning. 2015-2016 ACE Program Guidelines
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
Digital literacy ‐ Knowing how to use computers, automatic teller machines and other modern technologies in our everyday lives. In addition to these core skill areas, the program helps to build social inclusion, community capacity and individual aspirations and wellbeing as learning programs are delivered in non‐threatening community‐
based settings. Function literacy underpins every course. ACE providers are not for profit, community‐based organisations, funded to deliver accredited and non‐
accredited foundation skills training, based on the Certificate 1 in Education and Skills Development (ESD1) curriculum. ACE programs are the first step towards other training and educational opportunities and ACE Program Providers are especially well placed to create learning experiences that engage learners at all stages of life. Target Groups The ACE Program is available to support all members of the South Australian community who want to increase their literacy and numeracy skills. Targeted participants may include any persons of working age who are on a pathway to VET or seeking employment:  unemployed or underemployed 
young people (17 to 24 years) 
Aboriginal people 
people with Disability 
people who are Long Term Unemployed 
parents returning to the Workplace 
people from a Non English speaking backgrounds 
mature age (45‐59 years) 
mature age (60+ years) Foundation Skills Grant Funding
The ACE Program has two Foundation Skills grant funding streams. The following outlines the funding requirements for each: 1. Foundation Skills Non-Accredited Grants
Foundation Skills Non‐Accredited Grants fund individual applications up to $25,000 or joint applications up to $50,000. Foundation Skills Non‐Accredited projects must use the Certificate 1 in Education and Skills Development (ESD1) curriculum. as a quality framework for learning and to develop language, literacy and numeracy capabilities and build learner confidence. The use of the curriculum provides a natural progression (pathway) from Foundation Skills Non‐Accredited projects to Foundation Skills Accredited projects. 2. Foundation Skills Accredited Grants
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Foundation Skills Accredited Grants fund individual applications up to $50,000 or joint applications up to $100,000. This option is for projects designed around an area of vocational interest or intent that is relevant to the learner and are structured to integrate the development of literacy and numeracy skills to improve and explore pathways to further learning and work in a highly supportive environment. Foundation Skills Accredited projects must deliver and assess training using a select number of highly relevant units from the Certificate 1 in Education and Skills Development (ESD1) curriculum. ). The aim is to improve learner literacy and numeracy skills and build learner confidence to move into pathways to further learning and work. As ACE Providers are not Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), accredited training through foundation skills grant funding is undertaken through an auspicing arrangement between the ACE Provider and TAFE SA or a preferred private RTO. Under this arrangement the training and assessment is undertaken by the ACE Provider in their community centre environment and the RTO issues statements of attainment to participants and has responsibility to ensure that the training and assessment meets the national registration standards and requirements of the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA). The ACE Provider can only enter into an auspicing arrangement with an RTO that is an approved Skills for All RTO with Certificate 1 Education and Skills Development on both their national and Skills for All scopes of registration. Further information about auspicing arrangements are described later in the guidelines. Joint Applications
If your organisation intends to submit a joint application, i.e., 2 or more providers partnering to deliver a Foundation Skills Project, the following conditions apply: 
All project partners must be an approved Listed ACE Provider.

Each project partner must be able to clearly articulate their role in the project.

Each project partner must sign the application form to acknowledge their roles and responsibilities in the
delivery of the project.

One organisation must be identified as the lead organisation.

The lead organisation will sign the funding contract and will be responsible for all legal requirements
outlined in the contract.

Grant funds will be paid to the lead organisation only. Organisations in a joint application are strongly
encouraged to have an agreement in place on how the funds will be allocated and the responsibilities of
each party in the delivery of the project.

If the lead organisation needs to change or vary any partnering arrangements during the course of the
year they must seek the prior written approval by the Department of State Development.
Foundation Skills Course Development
When preparing the ACE Foundation Skills Grant Funding application, the following principles must be applied to the design of your Foundation Skills Accredited and/or Non‐Accredited Course. 2015-2016 ACE Program Guidelines
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
The course is to be based on the Language, Literacy and Numeracy skills to be developed, then include the activity element that will be used for the course (e.g. basic addition, subtraction, multiplication and using scales and reading recipes and instructions, the activity will be cooking). 
Primary purpose is to develop functional literacy. The experiential element to program design is secondary to the intent 
Identify which ACSF core skill area is to be developed in the course (e.g. numeracy). 
The course delivery time must be comparable to the nominal hours for the unit selected from the Certificate 1 in E&SD. 
Participants must be enrolled in all of the units listed for a course as outlined in the application form. 
All participants must complete the Language, Literacy and Numeracy assessment at enrolment to ensure the people with the highest need participate in the foundation skills program. 
Accredited applications require the endorsement of the auspicing RTO to demonstrate that the units selected from Certificate 1 in E&SD curriculum are appropriate and the learning outcomes can be achieved in the time allocated in the course delivery plan. What the ACE Program Won’t Fund

Valid community centre activity that aligns itself with a fee for service opportunity rather than a Department of State Development Foundation Skills funding arrangement 
Courses that have a focus on vocational or experiential content rather that functional literacy development. 
Target Groups that are not on a pathway to VET or seeking employment 
Programs that don’t have clear learning outcomes 
Courses that contain modules from curricula other than Certificate 1 in E&SD (eg. First Aid and Child Safe Environments). 
Independent one off workshops that do not allow for opportunity to learn, practice and consolidate new skills. 
Interest programs already funded by government agencies. Variations to Contracts
The course delivery plans submitted by ACE Providers in their funding application become part of the funding contract and therefore all training delivered must be in accordance with these plans. It is a breach of the contract to use Foundation Skills grant funds to deliver other programs run by the organisation which were not included and approved in the funding application. Should circumstances change and there is a need to deliver courses differently, organisations must apply in writing to the department for approval by submitting a variation application form. Variation applications will be assessed to ensure the revised 2015-2016 ACE Program Guidelines
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course delivery plans still meet the ACE Program requirements. Variation applications that request a change to participant numbers and student contact hours may have impact on the funding received. ACE Program Funding and Outcome Priorities
The directions of the ACE Program in the new Skills for All environment are outlined in the Statement on the ACE Program in South Australia, and is available from www.skills.sa.gov.au. It is highly recommended that all existing and potential ACE Program providers read this document. The annual Foundation Skills grant funding selection process will focus on the highest quality applications and providers in each region with the capacity to deliver quality foundation skills programs. The overall distribution of funding to be aligned to the ACE Program funding and outcome priorities for 2015‐16. Funding priorities

People facing barriers to participation and supporting the engagement of hard to reach learners.

Raising awareness and engagement in developing digital literacy skills by ensuring 25% of projects
funded deliver digital literacy training. For the purposes of this grant, digital literacy is having the skills
and confidence to use the internet and online resources to access opportunities in training further
education and work. Ensuring there is an equitable funding allocation between metro and non-metro
areas, with a minimum of 25% of projects approved in non-metropolitan areas for both accredited and
non-accredited funding.

Prioritising funding to areas and regions that have a high proportion of their population with low levels of
educational attainment and high levels of unemployment (source: CDATA 2006, ABS, calculations
SACES).
Outcome priorities

Increasing the number of priority target group individuals accessing Foundation Skills training.

Increasing literacy and numeracy levels in Foundation Skills participants.

Increasing learner engagement into pathways to training further education and work.through Foundation
Skills training.

Embedding a 25% digital literacy target in Foundation Skills training.
Targeting of Projects
The ACE Program is available to support all members of the South Australian community who want to increase their literacy and numeracy skills. Targeted participants may include any persons of working age who have the following experiences: 
low educational attainment, including low Language Literacy Numeracy skills and low digital literacy
skills

unemployed or underemployed

South Australian residents (for Accredited Foundation Skills programs)–

people of mature age (45-59 years)

people of mature age (60+ years)

young people (17 to 24 years)

Aboriginal people
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
People with Disability

People who are Long Term Unemployed

Parents returning to the Workplace

People from a Non English speaking backgrounds.
Commonwealth and ACE Program Participant Eligibility
Adult Community Education Program: Foundation Skills Non Accredited
To participate in an ACE Foundation Skills Non‐Accredited course, participants must meet the following minimum criteria: 
Be aged 17 years and over and not enrolled in school (including FLO programs), and

Be experiencing barriers to participation in learning and work, i.e.:
-
low level Foundation skills – literacy and numeracy -
low educational attainment -
no post school qualifications -
unemployed or not in the labour force, but willing to work. Adult Community Education Program: Foundation Skills Accredited
To participate in an ACE Foundation Skills Accredited course, participants must meet the following minimum criteria: 
Aged 17 years and over and not enrolled in school (including FLO programs),, and

Either live or work in South Australia, and are:


-
an Australian or New Zealand citizen -
a permanent Australian resident -
the holder of a state sponsored visa on a pathway to permanent residency (Visa types as below). Be experiencing barriers to participation in learning and work, i.e.:
-
minimum level of Foundation skills – literacy and numeracy -
low educational attainment -
no post school qualifications -
unemployed or not in the labour force, but willing to work. Participants entering Accredited training will need to meet a minimum level of language, literacy and
numeracy (Australian Core Skills Framework Level 1 for reading, writing and numeracy).
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Temporary Visa Eligibility for Skills for All funding
For information on visa eligibility for Foundation Skills Accredited training programs please visit the Skills for All website at Eligibility Explained: www.skills.sa.gov.au/training-learning/check-your-eligibility/eligibilityexplained E
Commonwealth Government’s Work for the Dole Eligibility in ACE Programs.
Work for the Dole is the primary component of the Commonwealth Government’s mutual obligation
requirements in which jobseekers must participate in work-like activities in return for receiving income
support.
On 1 July 2015, the program will be expanded to include all jobseekers up to the age of 50 who have been
unemployed for 6 or 12 months or more (depending on Stream). Participation will be mandatory, and involve
between 15 and 25 hours per week (depending on age) for six months out of every 12, in not-for-profit
organisations and local, state and federal government agencies.
Unemployed people subject to a Work for the Dole obligation which will fall due during the proposed time
period of the South Australian Government ACE program activity, will be deemed ineligible for the South
Australian Government program activity, unless –
(a) It is determined, through negotiation with the person’s employment services provider, that the person will
be able to meet the weekly hourly requirements of both the Work for the Dole activity and the ACE
program activity concurrently; or
(b) It is determined, through negotiation with the person’s employment services provider, that the ACE
program activity will contribute towards the person’s Work for the Dole obligation.
In the instance of either (a) or (b), there is an expectation that there will be an understanding between the
employment service provider and the ACE program provider, that the participant will not be at risk of being
required to withdraw from the State Government ACE program activity as a result of the Work for the Dole
obligation.
Annual Foundation Skills Grant Funding Application Process
2015-2016 Foundation Skills Grant Funding Round
The 2015‐2016 ACE Foundation Skills Grant Funding round opens on 14 March 2015 and closes on 17 April 2015. Applying for Foundation Skills Grant Funding
Only providers who have applied and been approved for inclusion on the ACE Program Provider List are eligible to apply for ACE Foundation Skills Grant funding. Please refer to the Guidelines, Criteria and Application Form to determine eligibility to be included the ACE Program Provider List which is available from www.skills.sa.gov.au. Foundation Skills Grant Funding Application Forms
The ACE Foundation Skills Accredited and Non‐Accredited Grant funding application forms are available from www.skills.sa.gov.au on the application process opening date. Completed applications must be submitted electronically to dsdacec@sa.gov.au and attachments either included electronically or noted in the application form and sent in by mail to the address provided on the application form. 2015-2016 ACE Program Guidelines
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On electronic submission of the completed application form an e‐mail receipt will be sent to the same e‐
mail address it was received from. The onus is with the applicant to follow up with the ACE Program on 8463 5537 if a receipt has not been received by return e‐mail on the same day the application was submitted. Applications will not be accepted or considered for assessment after the closing date. Completing a Foundation Skills Grant Application Form
There are two application forms and the onus is on the applicant to ensure they use the correct form for their application. The two types of application forms are: 
Foundation Skills Non-Accredited Grants

Foundation Skills Accredited Grants.
The different funding requirements for Foundation Skills Non‐Accredited and Accredited Grants are outlined previously in these guidelines and applicants are advised to make themselves familiar with these requirements and contact the ACE Program on 8463 5537 if they have any questions. Applicants are encouraged to contact their local Department of State Development Regional Manager to discuss their proposed project. The Regional Manager will be able to provide information on current regional activity and how your project could support the development of participants in your community. For contact details of your local Department of State Development Regional Manager phone 8463 5541. Triennial Foundation Skills Grant Funding
The Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills through the Department of State Development has approved ACE Program Foundation Skills Grants triennial funding for the ACE sector from 2014‐15 to 2016‐17. This new funding arrangement enables providers with a proven track record of meeting established targets to establish long‐term plans, improve staff tenure, build community services and reduce red tape through: 
Adopting a master agreement for accredited and non‐accredited training funding streams. 
Reducing the re‐application processes for years two and three, so that only a course delivery plan will be required. 
Reducing the level of detail the process requires. The implementation of triennial funding will also reduce the amount of time needed by smaller not‐for‐
profit organisations to apply for grants across a number of State Government agencies. The process to obtain funding involves an initial cycle of triennial funding approvals where 60 percent of total ACE Foundation Skills Grants funding is committed to approved organisations. The remaining 40 percent of program funding is released annually through a contestable application process that began on 21 February 2014. This two‐step process gives organisations that were initial unsuccessful another opportunity to apply. 2015-2016 ACE Program Guidelines
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Approved applicants in receipt of triennial funding will receive annual funding, subject to the following conditions: 
continued listing as a Skills for All ACE Provider

submission and approval of annual project and course delivery plans

the achievement of annual targets for participants and student contact hours

compliance with contract schedules and reporting.
The grant funding amount provided over the three year period will be the same amount of funding that the ACE Provider receives in the 2014‐15 funding cycle, paid annually for the 2015‐16 and 2016‐17 financial year periods. Selection Process for Foundation Skills Grant Funding Applications
Foundation Skills Grant Funding is a competitive process that uses a panel to assess each application against established assessment criteria, and then additional considerations based on: 
assessment of each application on its own merits 
Assessment of each application in comparison to other applications 
Consideration of each application against the funding and outcome priorities for the ACE Program. The panel uses the following selection criteria to identify high quality applications. Target group


Target group is appropriate to funding requirements
o
all members of the South Australian community who want to increase their literacy and
numeracy skills
o
any persons of working age who are on a pathway to VET or seeking employment.
Target group learner needs and/or barriers to participation identified.
Project concept

Is appropriate to funding requirements.

Addresses the identified learner needs and/or barriers and the development of foundation skills.

Provides evidence to support the stated demand.
Partnerships to support the project

Specific partners have been identified.

The support each partner will provide is identified.

Support is relevant to learner needs and/or barriers.
Risk management

Potential or known risks have been identified (to both the project and organisation).

Strategies to manage the identified risks have been provided.
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Delivery plan

The length of course(s) and contact hours is appropriate to the identified target group(s). Accredited
course lengths must be no longer than 20 weeks.

Course content is relevant to the identified target group and learning outcomes are realistically
achievable for the learner and period of time.

Approach to delivery and monitoring learner progress or assessment is appropriate to learner needs
and/or barriers.

Where required appropriately experienced and/or qualified staff have been identified.

Learner pathways into training, further education and work have been identified.
Budget

Cost per student contact hour is congruent with resources required to deliver the project to meet the
identified learner needs and/or barriers, and achieve stated outcomes.

Where identified in the budget, information on contributions and in-kind support has been provided.

Any risks associated with not receiving expected contributions and in-kind support have been included
and addressed in the risk management plan.

Cost for Non-Accredited training is based on $500 per participant and Accredited training is based on
$1,000 per participant.

Note: Cost per Student Contact Hour is calculated at approximately $10 per hour for Non-Accredited
and $20 per hour for Accredited training. This however may vary depending on location of the project,
target group and type of training being delivered.
The panel will consider an applicant’s past or potential performance as a provider, based on the information they provided in their application to determine eligibility to be included on the ACE Program Provider List. This information will include a summary of: 
previous funding history with the Department of State Development

achievement of targets

participant outcomes.
Additionally, the panel will also consider in the funding allocation process: 
The proportion of population with low educational attainment and high unemployment across South
Australia

Metropolitan and non-metropolitan funding distribution

Priority target groups identified in the Department of State Development Strategic Plans for each of the
twelve State Government regions.
Notification of Selection Process Outcomes
The recommendations of the panel will be provided to the Minister for approval at the conclusion of the Foundation Skills grant funding selection process. 2015-2016 ACE Program Guidelines
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Upon approval, successful applicants will be notified in writing and a contract provided for the period of funding for execution. Following the execution of all contracts with successful providers the Minister will release a media statement on the outcome of the Foundation Skills grant funding selection process. If your application is not successful you will be advised in writing of that decision and given the opportunity to request specific verbal or written feedback on your application. Review Process
If you are not satisfied with the feedback given by the Department, you can submit in writing, a formal request for review of your application to: Manager, Foundation Programs Unit Department of State Development GPO Box 320 Adelaide SA 5001 Your application will be independently reviewed and you will receive a written response. The independent panel will consist of senior representatives from across the Department of State Development who will review the application against the program guidelines and criteria as well as compare your application to a representative sample of successful and unsuccessful applications. The Panel written determination will outline the reasons for upholding or rejecting the complaint. Contracts and Reporting
Contracts
Projects under $10,000 (Foundation Skills Non-Accredited)
Successful applicants will have a contract drawn up between their organisation and the Minister for the Department of State Development. The funds will be paid in one single instalment. Projects over $10,000 (Foundation Skills Non-Accredited and Accredited)
Successful applicants will have a contract drawn up between their organisation and the Minister for the Department of State Development. The funds will be paid in two instalments: 
First Payment – 80% of the total funds

Final Payment – 20% of the total funds
Successful applicants are expected to return their signed contract, fully acquit any outstanding grants and invoice the department for the first payment within 14 days of the funding offer being made, or the offer may be withdrawn by the department. If a contracted organisation is unable to achieve full acquittal of the funds or does not reach their targets as stated in the contract, they will be required to provide the Minister with a cheque for the full amount of the unexpended funds within 30 days of the completion of the funding period. The onus is on the contracted organisations to advise the Department of State Development if there are any changes to the organisational information provided following the application and/or contracting processes being finalised. Additionally, where contracted organisations have identified a sub‐contractor or 2015-2016 ACE Program Guidelines
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RTO to deliver training and/or assessment on their behalf, any proposed changes to these arrangements must be discussed with the Department of State Development and approval given prior to the implementation of any changes. Marketing
Contracted organisations are required to acknowledge the Government of South Australia’s Skills for All initiative in any pamphlets, booklets, publications, videos, educational and promotional material or other information produced using Foundation Skills project funds. Promotional material needs to reflect the foundation skills content of the course. Organisations delivering accredited training must comply with the Australian Skills Quality Authority Standards and must produce marketing material in consultation with their auspicing RTO, as appropriate ogos, unit and qualification codes must be included. All advertising material must be approved by the Senior Program Coordinator, ACE Program prior to public release. Please ensure you allow sufficient time for preparation of documents and approvals when planning advertisements. Material to be approved can be submitted to: Email: dsdacec@sa.gov.au
Phone: 8463 5537
Foundation Skills, ACE Program works to a 48 hour turnaround time for the approval of Non‐accredited advertisements and flyers. Accredited projects may require additional lead time for TAFESA and/or Private RTO approval Reporting
Contracted organisations are expected to complete the following report and acquittal processes. STELA
The Department of State Development requires all training organisations, receiving Government funding, to report their training data quarterly through STELA ( Student Training and Enrolment Logistics Application). The ACE Program will work with ACE Providers to meet quarterly reporting requirements. For assistance with STELA please contact the STELA helpdesk on 8226 3050. First ACE Progress Report
Contracted organisations are required to complete the template provided and report on: 
Project activity and successes to date

Participant numbers and student contact hours to date

Literacy and numeracy levels on entry and exit to each course (Non-Accredited only)

Pathway outcomes of all participants

Statement of expenditure to-date

Good news stories

Participant data entered into STELA for the full six month period.
Second ACE Progress Report
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Contracted organisations are required to complete the template provided and report on: 
Project activity and successes

Total participant numbers and student contact hours

Literacy and numeracy entry and exit levels (Non-Accredited only)

Pathway outcomes of all participants

Participant data entered into STELA for the full twelve month period

Good news stories.
Financial Acquittal Report
Contracted organisations are required to complete the template provided which includes: 
Itemised list of how the funds were expended

Signed off by a qualified Accountant/Treasurer (who is not a member of your organisation).
Invoices
You will be required to submit separate invoices to the Department of State Development for payment of your first and final payments of Foundation Skills Grants. Your invoice should include the following information: 
Name and address of your organisation

Your organisation’s ABN

Be addressed: Attention: Department of State Development, Contract Management

Identify your project as Foundation Skills Accredited or Non-Accredited

Identify whether the payment is a first or final payment

Clearly identify an Invoice Date and Unique Identification Number

Show the GST component of the grant, i.e., grant amount plus GST.

The final payment invoice must be dated before 30 June to ensure it is payed within the financial year.
Counting of Reported Data

Providers are contracted by the Department of State Development to deliver against their targets. These
targets are the number of module enrolments by participants who access courses and the number of
student contact hours delivered (both Accredited and Non-Accredited). These targets are determined by
the ACE provider and submitted to the Department of State Development in their application for
Foundation Skills Grant funds.

In order to receive final payment from the Department of State Development, providers must meet their
contracted module enrolments by Participants numbers.

Additionally, Student Contact Hours should be met by providers. However, this figure is slightly more
flexible. Providers are required to demonstrate they have made an attempt to achieve a minimum of
80% of their contracted Student Contract Hours in order to receive the final payment from the
Department of State Development.

Providers are required to attach either STELA or SIS summary reports to the final report to verify
achievement of Participant numbers and Student Contact Hours to claim their final payment.

If an ACE Provider fails to meet its target numbers, then the amount of funds and any final payment may
be reduced by the same proportion that it failed to meet its target.
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Enrolment Forms
All participants entering a Foundation Skills Accredited or Non‐Accredited course are required to complete an enrolment form to enable enrolment data to be collected. This enables ACE providers to make an informed judgement about the starting literacy and numeracy level of all participants. All providers delivering State Government subsidised training must collect the following specific enrolment data: Non‐ Accredited ‐ Participants must complete the Enrolment/ Consent Form template. This information must be entered into STELA and the forms forwarded to the Department of State Development, Contract Management. Accredited (ACE providers auspiced by TAFE SA) ‐ Participants must complete the STELA enrolment/consent form (as for Non‐Accredited training) and TAFE SA enrolment form and forward to the appropriate TAFE SA auspicing officer. It is a contract requirement that participants sign their consent and that this is forwarded to the Department of State Development, Contract Management and TAFESA. Accredited (ACE providers auspiced by other RTOs) – Participants must complete the enrolment form of their auspicing RTO which will contain the mandated questions, or alternatively the same enrolment template as Foundation Skills Non‐Accredited providers. ACE providers are also required to have participants sign the Enrolment/Consent form that is attached to the funding contract. The enrolment details on this form do not need to be completed as it is captured in the RTO enrolment form. It is a contract requirement that participants sign their consent and that this is forwarded to the Department of State Development, Contract Management. Please note Enrolment /Consent Forms must be forwarded to the Department of State Development, Contract Management within 30 days of enrolment at dsd.foundationskills@sa.gov.au. Auspicing Arrangements
ACE Providers are required to formalise accredited training auspicing arrangements with their preferred RTO or TAFE SA. The delivery of quality auspicing arrangements must be in accordance Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) standards and Skills for All contract requirements, during the term of the auspicing agreement. The ACE Provider is required to provide the Department of State Development with a signed training agreement as per the RTO’s required templates prior to the commencement of accredited training. ACE Providers are also required to endorse the STELA or SIS report from their preferred RTO or TAFESA, validating the number of participants enrolled in and completing accredited units each quarter. ACE Providers must work with their auspicing RTO or TAFE SA to understand the requirements for enrolment and resulting and ensure that necessary practices are in place to record the assessment of training delivered. For further information or advice on your application please contact the Senior Program Coordinator, ACE Program on 8463 5537. 2015-2016 ACE Program Guidelines
www.skills.sa.gov.au
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Definitions
The following definitions have been determined to ensure consistency of data reporting across the streams of funding for the ACE Program. 
Module – a single unit from the Certificate I Education and Skills Development curriculum.

Course– A series of structured classes, workshops or training sessions designed to develop the foundation
skills of participants using the Certificate 1 in Education & Skills Development curriculum. The implementation
of a delivery plan submitted through this application..

Participant – an individual who undertakes one or more courses. For reporting purposes an individual is
counted as a participant for every course they undertake.

Module Enrolments By Participants – The total number of modules enrolled in by participants for all
courses delivered by an ACE Provider as documented in the Delivery Plan for the course/s.

Student Contact Hour – an hour of study undertaken by a participant. Student contact hours can be
both accredited and non-accredited and are recorded for the purposes of AVETMISS reporting in either
the STELA (not-for-profit community based education and training providers, private RTOs) or SIS
(TAFESA).

Pathway – a pathway is defined as the way an individual navigates their learning, skill development and
life experiences through education and training, and through community and personal life. This may
consist of training, volunteering, entry-level work, further skill development and/or job advancement. For
the purposes of the ACE program, the following are considered pathways:
-
Moved onto other Non‐Accredited training1 -
Progressed to Accredited training2 -
Progressed to VET3 -
Became a volunteer -
seeking employment -
Enrolled in Adult Re‐Entry (SACE) 1
2
3
Non-Accredited pathway only
Non-Accredited pathway only
Accredited pathway only 2015-2016 ACE Program Guidelines
www.skills.sa.gov.au
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