The House Employment, Education and Training Committee will hear evidence from the Department of Home Affairs and the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) today as part of its inquiry into adult literacy and its importance.
Committee chair Andrew Laming said it was concerning that many migrants and indigenous Australian may not be able participate fully in employment, education and training, and social and civic life because of literacy and numeracy challenges.
“The committee looks forward to hearing from the Department of Home Affairs and the National Indigenous Australians Agency about a range of Commonwealth-funded programs that support adult literacy and numeracy among vulnerable migrant and Indigenous populations,” Laming said.
The Department of Home Affairs delivers a range of programs to assist migrants to improve their English language and other skills, including the adult migrant English program, the humanitarian settlement program and the settlement engagement and transition support program.
The NIAA plays a key role in ensuring the outcomes of the national agreement on closing the gap are achieved and delivers a range of programs that support skills development, including literacy and numeracy in Indigenous communities.
