Aspire Foundation

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The Aspire Foundation was established in 2001.

The aim of the Foundation is to help facilitate excellence, innovation and equity in the vocational and technical education (VTE) sector. A key objective is to assist disadvantaged groups and individuals access relevant, high-quality VTE and lifelong learning. To do this the Aspire Foundation supports innovative and inspired approaches to engaging people in meaningful education and training.

In the past, we have proudly supported the following projects/organisations:

• 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

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2007/08 Aspire Foundation projects

In 2007/08, we are excited to be supporting some very worthy initiatives that are providing vocational support for people seeking to make important changes in their lives.

Hotham Mission: Asylum Seeker Vocational Training Assistance and Vocational Training Access Program

After a successful project in 2006/07, the Aspire Foundation has expanded operations with the Hotham Mission, a Melbourne based organisation working with the most disadvantaged of Asylum Seekers, those prevented from working, studying or volunteering while their asylum applications are under consideration.

This year’s programs will be twofold, consisting of a scholarship fund as well as a vocational training program for the Men’s Group. 

The Scholarship fund will assist those asylum seekers who are able to pursue some form of study in Australia by providing financial assistance for course fees and associated costs. Without financial assistance, even those Asylum Seekers who have gained study rights could miss out on valuable training, and Aspire is dedicated to ensuring vocational training remains an option for everyone.

The Men’s vocational training program intends to expand on this ideal, as those Asylum Seekers who have not been granted the right to study in Australia while awaiting their visa outcome will be given the opportunity to gain vocational skills in areas such as first aid, hospitality and carpentry and other trades training. The program will also impart vital employability skills within the Australian context so that, regardless of visa outcomes, this valuable community will gain life skills to use for the rest of their lives.

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Australia Afghanistan Development Organisation (AADO): Vocational Training Project

The Aspire Foundation has been enthusiastically supporting projects in conjunction with the AADO for several years. A current project is working to assist 20 unskilled women in developing basic literacy and numeracy skills, which will enhance the knowledge and employment capacity of the beneficiaries.

The Aspire Foundation looks forward to continuing this partnership, which has seen the development of crucial employability skills in hundreds of Afghanis who would otherwise have no access to training. 

Asylum Seeker Resource Centre: Small Business Mentor Program 

The Small Business Mentoring Program is continuing to run through the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC). This program is offering clients of the ASRC the chance to develop skills in developing and operating small businesses within the Australian context.

The Aspire Foundation has worked with the ASRC, who are the largest provider of aid, advocacy and health services in Australia for asylum seekers, for several years and appreciates all of the hard work and support they offer through their team of over 700 volunteers.

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Aspire Scholarship Program

Aspire's Scholarship Program began in 2005.

The Aspire Scholarship Program provides assistance to financially disadvantaged or geographically isolated students through the provision of funds for tuition fees and learning resources. The Foundation is pleased to maintain scholarship programs with the following organisations.

Ardoch Youth Foundation

The Aspire Foundation provides assistance to disadvantaged young people pursuing a vocational qualification through the provision of course fees and associated material costs. Ardoch works to keep youths in danger of disengaging from training on the right path, and Aspire is proud to maintain a relationship with this non-profit community group.

Kids Under Cover

Kids Under Cover works to provide 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 

The Aspire Foundation provides annual scholarships to students facing a particular financial disadvantage who are pursuing vocational qualifications in the area of Business or Business Administration at TAFE SA.

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@aspiretraining.com.au.

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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.

Aspire Foundation Grant Criteria
Aspire Foundation Grant Application Form

To request further information, please contact the Aspire Foundation at national@aspiretraining.com.au

Aspire endeavours to acknowledge receipt of your application within five working days.

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