TAFE Outreach programs are closely aligned to the Federal Social Inclusion Agenda ensuring NSW education is accessible to people who face barriers to learning including geographical and social isolation, language and cultural factors, financial hardship, lack of educational confidence, being unaware of opportunities to learn, a disability or family commitments.
The participants are female parents; mostly from Arabic backgrounds (Pakistani, Bangladeshi) but also from Asia. Many are socially isolated and walking is the predominant transport. Few have licences and access to cars. Some have professional qualifications from overseas but these are often not recognised in Australia. Some of the students have limited English language skills. Access to work and study is also impeded by cultural barriers, extensive caring responsibilities and lack of childcare. They mostly live in units so have little access to open space to develop their own gardens although opportunities for growing on balconies are explored. They also have little previous experience of growing food as many lived in urban areas before coming to Australia.
