Our Vision
Changing lives through education
Who we are
Prace is a vibrant and diverse not-for-profit organisation focused on the delivery of English language, literacy and numeracy, vocational training and further education for adults.
We have been operating in Melbourne’s northern suburbs since 1993, actively creating education and training-based opportunities for people often excluded from mainstream education and employment.
Prace is a Learn Local, an Independent school and Neighbourhood House. Our work includes the delivery of pre-accredited and accredited training industry partnerships, publishing, support services and charitable activities.
Our philosophy
At Prace, we have created an inclusive and welcoming community, offering our learners a safe place to connect and grow. We focus on the delivery of responsive programs and services, designed to meet the needs of our local community.
We believe our programs and services should foster lifelong learning and empower learners to engage fully as members of the community and attain the skills they require for work and further study.
More than just a training organisation, we offer our learners a sense of acceptance and belonging.
Our programs and services
Prace delivers responsive programs and services aimed at fostering lifelong learning and empowering people to fully engage as members of the community and attain the skills they require for work and further study.
Our programs and services fall under four categories:
- Adult Community Education with a focus on English language, adult literacy, vocational training, engagement programs and accredited education support training.
- Prace College – an independent school for students who have disengaged from mainstream education.
- Reconnect – supporting people aged 17-64 to enrol in education, training and/or find employment through individualised support from a dedicated case worker
- Student support services that provide learners with guidance, accessibility and opportunities to reduce disadvantage and improve their quality of life.
Our community
For over 30 years, Prace has fostered a vibrant sense of acceptance and belonging. Our learners, teachers, staff and volunteers reflect the diversity of the local community.
In 2024, we had 591 learners aged 18-85 years enrolled in our programs and many more accessed our other services.
Statistically, our community is one of the most disadvantaged in Australia, with high levels of unemployment and social exclusion. Nearly half of our students are looking for work, and many have not completed secondary school.
Our impact
Everyday at Prace, you can see the positive impact of our programs and services with learners developing a sense of acceptance and belonging and increased wellbeing.
When surveyed, our learners are able to connect their time at Prace to a range of positive impacts including feelings of increased self-worth, confidence and social connection. And, research has shown that the Adult and Community Education (ACE) sector contributes significantly to community and personal development with students commonly citing satisfaction and confidence as significant benefits of ACE.
Working with the local community
Prace also manages the Merrilands Community Centre on behalf of the City of Darebin, supporting over 20 community groups who access the centre.
The Prace program, both education and community development, operates across two Prace managed sites, Merrilands Community Centre and Prace Mernda Campus, as well as in a range of other community venues within Melbourne’s northern growth corridor.
Our Values
PEOPLE
we value, support and encourage all the people involved with Prace; employees, service users, students, volunteers, and partners
RESPECT
we respect and celebrate the diverse life experiences that all bring to Prace
ACCOUNTABILITY
we use our resources intelligently, efficiently and effectively to work towards our vision
COMMUNITY
we work with and on behalf of the community to support the most excluded members, to respond to their learning and engagement needs and to enhance their participation in Prace
EVIDENCE, EVALUATION AND EXCELLENCE
we examine everything we do to ensure it is consistent with our values, vision and our focus, and is based on the best available evidence, information and best practice
Through the provision of accessible learning, community and work opportunities that build
skills, confidence and hope, we shape the community of tomorrow, break the cycle of poverty and disadvantage and enable people to improve their quality of life.
Prace acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woiwurrung people as the traditional owners and custodians of the unceded lands on which we work, teach and learn. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.
©2026 Prace Ltd. All rights reserved.
TOID: 4036 | ACN: 689 841 441