Educational pathways are more diverse and accessible with the traditional areas of higher education, vocational (VET)and lifestyle learning providing plenty of choice, improved pathways and fee assistance.

 

Best known for its specialist offerings in lifestyle programs and short courses WEA Hunter has continued to evolve and expand to meet the ever changing needs of its customers and the wider community.

 

WEA Hunter General Manager, Rowan Radvan, said that most recently this included expansion into the Mid North Coast, Hunter Valley, the introduction of specialised qualification training and further expansion of the highly regarded Alesco School model across the state.

 

"WEA Hunter is a competitive and quality provider of education that is diverse, affordable, flexible and multimarket suitable," Ms Radvan said.

 

“WEA is very proud of its role within the larger education landscape.

Our aim is to provide options that might not be offered by others and to work with other VET providers to provide the right education and training pathways for our community,” Ms Radvan said.

“This means finding niche markets and meeting areas of skills demand,’ she said.

 

WEA Hunter provides education to thousands of people and has introduced a range of new VET and higher education products that are designed to meet emerging skills area needs while at the same time creating WEA Hunter centers of excellence in skills markets not already offered in the region.

 

This year the first cohort of the Diploma of Musical Theatre students will graduate with many students already wining roles in productions locally and nationally. Demand for the course continues in 2016 with the second cohort of students already well into their second term of study.

 

In 2016 WEA also introduced a number of additional accredited courses in aged and independent living skills to meet industry demand.

 

Part of this work has also been to become approved to offer students VET FEE-HELP. VET FEE-HELP is a Commonwealth supported loan scheme that helps eligible VET students pay their tuition fees for higher-level VET qualifications. It is now available to WEA Hunter's existing and new students, for all full qualifications at Diploma level and above.

 

WEA also offers quality higher learning options in the areas of business, marketing, naturopathy, nutritional medicine, herbal medicine, training design and development, as well as a range of lifestyle courses and quality secondary education programs through Alesco.

 

WEA Hunter (Workers Educational Association Hunter) is the 5th largest provider of community based adult learning in NSW.