Aspire Foundation
 | About the Aspire Foundation Aspire has long recognised that not everyone has the opportunity to access high-quality training and education and that many institutional, circumstantial and financial obstacles exist in Australian society. |
In a time when skills shortages and social inclusion are high on the national agenda, Aspire supports the view that all people should have access to training that not only leads to enhanced employability, but also imparts a lifelong desire for learning.
Since 2001 the Aspire Foundation has been providing grants for charitable organisations to run innovative and inspired initiatives which engage people in meaningful education and training. Remember every dollar you spend on Aspire’s resources help makes the Foundation happen!
2008/09 Major Projects
In 2008/09 the Aspire Foundation is proud to continue its relationships with a number of organisations and is excited about commencing a new interstate partnership. We are delighted to be supporting some very worthy initiatives that are providing vocational support for people seeking to make important changes in their lives.
Please read below to find out about the programs we are supporting in 2008/09.
Hotham Mission: Asylum Seeker Vocational Training Assistance and Vocational Training Access Program
 | In 2008 the Aspire Foundation is continuing its partnership with Hotham Mission to provide vocational training opportunities for asylum seekers awaiting news on their residency visas. |
Part of the funding has already been used to assist asylum seekers in pursuing some form of study in Australia by providing financial assistance for course fees and associated costs. Due to the complex nature of asylum seeker policy in Australia, work and study rights are changing and Aspire has ensured that the Foundation funding can be used in a flexible way to meet the evolving needs of Hotham Mission clients.
The remainder of the grant from the Aspire Foundation will go towards cooking classes and skills scoping for the organisation’s Men’s and Women’s Groups. The Men’s group will have their existing skills assessed and be encouraged to pursue training in order to refresh or upskill their abilities in areas of interest. The Women’s Group will be provided with an information session about training and career pathways in hospitality and community services. Tailored group training will provided in these areas through a Registered Training Organisation.
The program will impart valuable employability skills within the Australian context so that, regardless of visa outcomes, these community members will gain life skills which they can utilise now and in the future.
Rockdale Community Services Inc
Visions, Foundations and pathways
“Have a Vision for the future
Lay the Foundation
Follow the Pathway”
 | Rockdale Community Services has been providing valuable services in this Sydney community for 37 years. A need has been identified to provide educational opportunities for community members in order to raise employment rates and alleviate poverty, loneliness, ignorance and oppression. |
In 2008/09 Rockdale has been granted Aspire Foundation funding to run a project titled “Visions, Foundations and Pathways”. The program will assist disadvantaged individuals in the Rockdale community develop skills and knowledge through structured training in vocational areas such as community and health, business administration, food services, retail and trades. The program will target young people at risk, people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds and parents returning to the workforce.
Participants will partake in training sessions to set goals for the future and attend accredited training in areas of interest specially designed to meet their Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) needs. This will be supported by mentoring and counselling services to help them attain their goals during and beyond the program. This initiative will empower people to move forward by developing new skills and break poverty cycles in a community with low socio-economic status.
2008/09 Scholarship Fund
Every year the Aspire Foundation runs a scholarship program in conjunction with selected organisations.
Ardoch Youth Foundation
 | Ardoch Youth Foundation facilitates projects to keep young people in danger of disengaging from education and training on the right track. The Aspire Foundation provides assistance to financially disadvantaged young people pursuing a vocational qualification through the provision of course fees and associated material costs.
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Kids Under Cover
 | Kids Under Cover is fighting youth homelessness and keeping families together by providing young people at risk of experiencing homelessness with safe, secure homes. The Aspire Foundation is proud to build on this support through the provision of financial assistance for course fees and learning resources to enable these young people to build a brighter future through vocational training. |
TAFE SA - Adelaide North Institute
 | TAFE SA is the largest VET provider in South Australia with over 52 campuses. The Aspire Foundation provides an annual scholarship to financially disadvantaged students pursuing a Business or Business Administration qualification at the Port Adelaide campus. The scholarship assists with course fees and associated costs. |
Note: These scholarships are not directly available to the student from Aspire. Students should apply to their training organisation for more information about the scholarship program.
If organisations would like more information about the Aspire Scholarship Program please forward enquiries to national@aspirelearningresources.com.au.
Past Projects
Over the past seven years, the Aspire Foundation has funded a variety of organisations and projects including:
- Odyssey House
- Business Admin students in remote schools
- Business Admin VCEVET students
- Blackwood Centre for Adolescent Development
- New Trax Program
- Thuringowa Job Training Centre
- Bundaberg Skills Centre
- Afghanistan Book Drive
- East Timor Development Agency
- Ecumenical Migrant Centre
- Asylum Seekers Resource Centre - Job Ready in Australia
- Thornbury Neighbourhood Women's House - I'm going back
- UnitingCare Wesley (South Australia) - The Green Tree Frog Group Program
- The Fitzroy Learning Network
- Australian Afghanistan Volunteers Association - Vocational Training Courses in Kabul
Applying for Aspire Foundation Grants
Applications for funding grants are invited from not-for-profit community organisations with an educational focus. Grants are not made to individuals, state and federal government bodies or political parties. Priority is given to community organisations which operate on a limited funding base, and which share the aims of the Aspire Foundation.
If your organisation would like to help us in our goal to facilitate excellence, innovation and equity in the VTE sector, you may be eligible for an Aspire Foundation Grant. We are looking for projects that assist disadvantaged groups and individuals to access vocational and technical education.
Organisations with innovative approaches and projects that target groups or individuals with restricted or problematic access to education services are encouraged to apply for an Aspire Foundation Grant.
2008 Aspire Foundation Grant Criteria
2008 Aspire Foundation Grant Application Form
To request further information, please contact the Aspire Foundation at national@aspirelearningresources.com.au.
Aspire endeavours to acknowledge receipt of your application within five working days.
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