RMIT University Hosts Industry Forum To Address Australia’s Skills Crisis

Study in Australia: The RMIT University recently launched 'Earn and Learn' which is its industry-based learning model. Now, it hosted an industry forum to address the country's skills crisis.

RMIT University has hosted an industry forum which brought together civil society, government and industry to discuss Australia's skills crisis. The industry forum is titled - 'Addressing the Skills Crisis with Innovative Education Models'.

The experts discussed the role of the tertiary education sector in meeting the skills demands of the current and future workforce. RMIT Deputy Vice-Chancellor College of Vocational Education (VE) Mish Eastman and Vice-Chancellor Professor Alec Cameron and others attended the forum and heard from various industry leaders including the CEO of Victorian Skills Authority Craig Robertson.

Professor Alec Cameron, RMIT Vice-Chancellor and President, said, "Earn and Learn is a turning point for tertiary education at RMIT, drawing together knowledge and skills to create a dynamic, flexible and highly skilled workforce. Unlike other work-integrated learning models, Earn and Learn will see students complete their studies as part of their full-time, paid employment at a partner employer. This model allows them to acquire valuable workplace skills while attaining a tertiary qualification. It creates learning opportunities to address escalating skills shortages, improve workforce participation, and upskill and reskill large parts of the workforce at risk of unemployment.”

Over 1000 Students Enrolled In Vocational, Higher Education Pathways

RMIT statement says that more than 1000 students have enrolled in the higher education pathways and vocational courses. They have enrolled in the areas of cyber security, IT, aged care, engineering and nuclear medicine. They joined these courses while fully integrated into their workplace.

RMIT Deputy Vice-Chancellor College of Vocational Education Mish Eastman said, "The benefits for industry were numerous, contributing to a more dynamic economy and ultimately, a more prosperous Australia. Our partner employers share in the benefits of Earn and Learn. They have the opportunity to shape student learning and training according to their specific needs, closing skills gaps and improving productivity.”

“RMIT is shaping a new system to provide opportunities for those who need to work alongside their studies. In the current peak employment environment, there’s a need to bring in new cohorts of learners, and a model like Earn and Learn is an effective way to get people into jobs working immediately, boosting productivity in critical industries. The flexibility in each individual student’s training and experience will empower our workforce, helping Australia meet skills gaps and workforce challenges as and when they arise," added Eastman.

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