Learning Points the Way as CCNI’s Inverell Campus Celebrates Adult Learners Week

Students put their skills to work

For students completing the Certificate II in Workplace Skills, the celebration became a real-world opportunity to practise much more than making coffee.

With just three weeks remaining in their course, students stepped into the role of barista and acted as hosts at CCNI’s Pop-Up Café, welcoming guests, preparing and serving coffee and food, and helping with the clean-up at the end of the event.

Trainer and Assessor Rachel Cox said inviting friends and family to the celebration was a significant step for some of the students, and she was particularly pleased to watch them interacting confidently with guests throughout the morning.

“I was very proud of them,” Rachel said.

Practical learning continued with Trainer and Assessor Ean Muhs, who gave guests an opportunity to see health skills in action.

Visitors were invited to participate by having their blood pressure and blood glucose levels checked by Ean, with their readings recorded on individual Vital Signs Records to take away.

Celebrating a learner — and a leader

The morning also provided an opportunity to recognise Tahnee Capon, who was selected as a 2026 Adult Learners Week Learning Ambassador.

Tahnee completed a Certificate III in Community Services traineeship through CCNI before continuing into Certificate IV in Community Services, with learning becoming an important part of rebuilding her confidence, direction and future.

Speaking at the event, Tahnee acknowledged the support she had received from CCNI, her workplace and the people around her throughout her learning journey.

Inverell Mayor Kate Dight congratulated Tahnee on becoming a Learning Ambassador and on using her experience to encourage others.

“We need leaders like you,” Cr Dight told Tahnee. “It’s a really important part of the process.”

Deputy Mayor Jo Williams also joined the celebration, alongside CCNI CEO Melanie Squires, students, trainers, families and other community guests.

Following the compass

Adult Learners Week is a national celebration of adult learning, coordinated by Adult Learning Australia and held each year from 1–8 September.

Through events and activities held across the country, the week celebrates the achievements of adult learners and promotes the opportunities that learning can create at every stage of life.

CCNI welcomes the opportunity Adult Learners Week provides to celebrate and promote adult learning and the achievements of its learners.

This year, the Inverell campus received a $200 early bird prize from Adult Learning Australia to help support its Follow Your Compass – Bring a Friend to Learn event.

Local support also came from Northaven Ltd, with The Haven Floristry & Giftware donating a gift hamper for the lucky door prize, won by Rina Dailey.

For CCNI CEO Melanie Squires, the week reflects something fundamental to the work of community education.

“Adult Learners Week is what we’re all about — celebrating lifelong learning, the achievements of our students and the people who support them,” Ms Squires said.