From Barriers to Belonging: Making Pre-Accredited Learning Work for Employment (Payton Reid)

From Barriers to Belonging: Making Pre-Accredited Learning Work for Employment

A VALBEC (Victorian Adult Literacy and Basic Education Council) Professional Learning session presented by Payton Reid.

Employment-focused training isn’t just about getting someone job ready. For many of our learners, it starts with building confidence, recognising what they already bring to the table, and making learning feel relevant to where they want to go.

In this presentation, Payton will share some of the practical approaches she uses when working with learners who face barriers to participation and employment. She will talk about how she gets to know her learners, adapts delivery to meet them where they’re at, and builds language, literacy, numeracy, digital and employability skills into practical, work-focused activities.

Payton will also share some of the activities and approaches that have worked well, some that she's had to change along the way, and how working closely with employers, employment services and community partners can help turn training into real employment opportunities.

Payton works as the Program & Social Enterprise Coordinator at Glen Park Community Centre, where sbe develops and delivers practical, employment-focused pre-accredited training for learners with a range of backgrounds and barriers to employment. 

Her approach is very much about meeting learners where they’re at, building confidence and creating learning that feels useful, relevant and connected to the real world of work. She works closely with employers, employment services and community partners to create opportunities for learners to build their skills and take their next steps towards employment.

In 2025, Payton was recognised as the ACFE Pre-Accredited Trainer of the Year – an achievement she is incredibly proud of, although she's the first to admit "I’m much more comfortable in the training room than talking about myself in a bio!"

We look forward to seeing you there.

VALBEC PL Forums Team

Who: Payton Reid

When: Thursday 15 October, 5:30pm - 6:30pm AEST

Where: Zoom

Cost: VALBEC Members Free. Non-Members $10