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Lifelong Learning Has No Expiry Date: There Is No Right Age and No Right Subject

The story of a 96-year-old Kerala street sweeper who topped a state literacy exam, set beside three other lives that prove the same point across four countries and most of a century: that learning belongs to every decade of life, not one. A reflection on what these journeys, from a literacy exam to a Kenyan primary school to a Kansas graduation stage to a London translator's desk, ask of every RTO, trainer and educator who designs learning for adults returning to study after decades away.

Who Told Us Learning Has an Expiry Date?

She was 96. She had never sat in a classroom. She had spent her life sweeping streets and raising six children. And on her very first exam, Karthyayani Amma scored 98 out of 100 and finished first among more than 40,000 candidates.

Somewhere along the way, most people absorb invisible rules that sound like common sense but quietly shrink a life. Finish your education by 25. Study something practical. At your age, what is the point? If you were not good at it in school, you never will be. Amma never received that memo. Or perhaps she simply refused to read it. Her story, and three others like it, is a standing argument against the idea that learning has a use-by date, and a quiet challenge to anyone who designs education for adults.

The Day She Decided to Begin

At 96, Karthyayani Amma watched her own daughter pass a literacy examination at the age of 60. Something stirred. If her daughter could do it, why not her?

She enrolled in the Kerala State Literacy Mission Authority's Aksharalaksham programme in early 2018. Her tutors were her own great-grandchildren. There was no expensive course and no polished campus, just a great-grandmother learning the alphabet from children who had surely learned a few things about courage and persistence from her. She sat the exam alongside more than 40,000 other candidates, the oldest learner in her district, tested on reading, writing and mathematics. She scored 98 out of 100 and took first place among everyone who sat it. Her reaction, widely reported afterwards, flipped the usual script entirely: she remarked that she had studied far more than she needed, because the test had been easy. People often treat learning as something heavy, something reserved for the young, the privileged or the academic. Amma treated it as what it actually is, which is human.

Recognition followed. India's President Ram Nath Kovind awarded her the Nari Shakti Puraskar in 2020, the nation's highest civilian honour for women. She was appointed a Commonwealth of Learning Goodwill Ambassador, promoting distance education across the organisation's member states. The state's education minister gave her a laptop. A tableau honouring her appeared in India's Republic Day parade, and the chef and filmmaker Vikas Khanna directed a documentary about her life, Barefoot Empress. She died in October 2023 at the age of 101, still learning and still inspiring...

Read more: https://caqa.com.au/blogs/news/lifelong-learning-has-no-expiry-date-there-is-no-right-age-and-no-right-subject

Announcing our official sponsor partnership !!

We are proud to support the Australian VET Conference 2027.

Taking place at the Sydney Masonic Centre on 18–19 March 2027, AVC 2027 will bring together professionals from across Australia's VET, skills and workforce ecosystem for:
✅ 40+ sessions
✅ 6 specialist streams
✅ 2 full days of learning, discussion and connection

The program will explore key issues including training and assessment quality, AI and digital innovation, leadership, learner experience, workforce capability, First Nations VET and national skills priorities.

If you are considering attending, the Early Bird rate closes on 31 August.
Register before the deadline for $699 face to face, saving $250 on the standard registration price.

➡️ Register here: https://australianvetconference.org/conference

We look forward to being part of VET Forward 2027 and connecting with colleagues from across the sector.

See you there! 👋

Stay Ahead with CAQA Compliance

At CAQA Compliance, we make compliance simple, practical, and stress-free for RTOs. From independent audits to policy reviews, validation services, and risk management planning — we’ve got you covered.

Why choose us?

- Expert guidance on the Standards for RTOs 2025
- Independent validation and audit services
- Tailored policies, procedures & compliance frameworks
- Support that goes beyond “ticking the boxes”

Let us take the complexity out of compliance so you can focus on what matters most — delivering quality training and assessment outcomes.

Partner with CAQA Compliance today and ensure your RTO is future-ready.

Visit us at: https://caqa.com.au/
Email us at: [email protected] or call 1800 266 160

Why Choose CAQA?

1. Comprehensive RTO & CRICOS Expertise
2. Deep Industry Experience
3. End-to-End Support
4. Success-Driven Approach
5. Customised Solutions
6. Reputation for Excellence
7. Risk Mitigation
8. Focus on Quality Assurance
9. Breadth of Services
10. Commitment to Client Relationships
11. Time and Cost Savings
12. Peace of Mind
13. Strong Regulatory Experience
14. Proactive Updates
15. Validation and Moderation Expertise
16. Focus on Staff Development
17. Support with Rectification
18. Flexible and Scalable Solutions
19. Accessible Pricing
20. Data-Driven Recommendations
21. Market Awareness
22. Industry-Specific Knowledge
23. Focus on Learner Outcomes
24. Ethical Approach
25. Nationwide Presence

Read more: https://caqaresources.com.au/blogs/news/why-choose-caqa

CAQA Resources – Your Partner in Quality Training Materials

Looking for ready-to-use, fully compliant training and assessment resources?

At CAQA Resources, we design and develop high-quality materials aligned to the latest training packages and the Standards for RTOs 2025.

What we offer:

- Comprehensive learner guides
- Assessment tools with mapping documentation
- PowerPoints, e-learning materials & LMS-ready resources
- Regularly updated to meet compliance requirements

With CAQA Resources, you can save time, reduce compliance risks, and deliver training that’s engaging, accurate, and industry-relevant.

Trusted by RTOs across Australia.

Explore our full range today: https://caqaresources.com.au

Universal Design for Learning in Practice: Reducing Barriers Before They Arise

Universal Design for Learning starts from a simple premise: there is no average student, so training should be designed for the full range of learners from the outset rather than retrofitted one adjustment at a time. New guidance from the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, the ASQA practice guides under the Standards for RTOs 2025, and national capability programs are pushing the framework into mainstream VET practice, and what it means for RTOs, trainers, assessors and every learner who has ever been designed around rather than designed for.

Design First, Adjust Second

There is a question that sits beneath every discussion about supporting students with disability in vocational education and training. Should training be designed for a hypothetical average student and then adjusted when someone does not fit, or designed from the outset for the broadest possible range of learners? Universal Design for Learning gives an unequivocal answer. Design for variability first, and adjust individually only where universal design is not sufficient.

UDL is not a new concept, but its application in Australian VET has accelerated. The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) guidance, released through the Supporting Students with Disability in VET project, embeds UDL as a foundational framework across every practice guide. ASQA's practice guides under the Standards for RTOs 2025 expect RTOs to build accessibility into training design and delivery, not merely respond to it at the point of assessment. And national initiatives, including the ADCET UDL in Tertiary Education e-learning course and South Australia's UDL Leaders Program, are building sector-wide capability to translate the framework into everyday practice.

This article provides a practical deep dive into UDL's three principles, explains how each applies specifically to VET, and sets out a systematic approach for RTOs to embed UDL across curriculum design, development, delivery and assessment...

Read more: https://caqa.com.au/blogs/news/universal-design-for-learning-in-practice-reducing-barriers-before-they-arise-1

Thank you for visiting us at VDC

A big thank you to everyone who stopped by, had a chat, asked questions and connected with the CAQA team at VDC.

It was wonderful to catch up with familiar faces, meet new people and be part of such a valuable event for the VET sector.

CAQA was proud to sponsor and support an event that encourages connection, discussion and ongoing improvement across the sector. We look forward to continuing the conversations.

Build Skills. Build Futures.

At CAQA Skills, we deliver industry-focused training and professional development programs designed to empower learners and strengthen RTO capabilities.

What makes us different?

- Short courses & skill sets tailored to industry needs
- Programs aligned to the Standards for RTOs 2025
- Flexible delivery: face-to-face, online & blended options
- Expert trainers with real-world industry experience

Whether you’re an RTO looking to upskill your team or an individual ready to take the next step in your career, CAQA Skills provides the knowledge and support you need to succeed.

Start your learning journey today: https://caqaskills.com.au/
Email us at: [email protected] or call 1800 266 160

We’re here at VDC!

CAQA is excited to be here as a proud VDC sponsor!

We’re looking forward to a great event filled with sector insights, meaningful conversations and opportunities to connect with RTOs, trainers, compliance professionals and others working across vocational education and training.

Come and say hello to the CAQA team — we’d love to chat about resources, compliance support, professional development and what’s happening across the sector.