Adult learners and regional communities across Wellington and East Gippsland are set for a digital upgrade following a successful grant from the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR).
Delivered by the Gippsland East Local Learning and Employment Network (Gippsland East LLEN), the newly funded project, “Gippsland East Tech Library: Supporting Lifelong Learning,” will bring specialised technology and digital training to adult learners in the region.
The initiative will deliver high-impact technology packages to a network of community-led Study Hub Outreach Centres across five regional townships: Mallacoota, Omeo, Orbost, Heyfield, and Yarram.
Rather than providing basic technology, the project focuses on cutting-edge tools designed to overcome the geographic and financial barriers that often restrict access to education and employment in regional areas.
Depending on what each community needs most, the outreach centres will be equipped with tools such as:
– Virtual Reality (VR) headsets: Allowing users to virtually step into different industries and explore potential career paths without the need for long-distance travel.
– Advanced devices for AI and digital literacy: Helping residents build up-to-date skills in artificial intelligence with modern devices and applications.
– Assistive learning tools: Tools like scanning pens and paper tablets to support adult learners facing literacy challenges or learning difficulties.
To ensure the project genuinely serves local residents, each participating Study Hub will host collaborative digital workshops.
These sessions will be led by facilitators alongside local “Tech Champions”, community members stepping up to support their communities to build practical skills for the modern economy, further study, and everyday life.
“Where you live or your financial background should never dictate your ability to master the digital tools required in today’s workforce,” Study Hub team leader, Rick Coleman said.
“By placing tools like virtual reality and assistive learning AI directly into our remote Study Hubs, we are removing major roadblocks. This project allows career-changers to virtually experience new industries and gives learners struggling with ‘blank page’ anxiety the confidence to start writing.
“It is about building long-term regional resilience and ensuring no one in our community is left behind as technology evolves.”
Gippsland East LLEN will act as the regional backbone for the initiative, managing software subscriptions, coordinating the equipment and providing technical support, while the local outreach centres will host and take the lead in local community engagement.
Workshops and technology rollouts are scheduled to begin shortly across the five partner communities.
If you would like to be part of the project, please contact the Gippsland East Tech Library based at the Study Hub (The Hub) in Bairnsdale.
