The 2050 Alliance has convened a summit seeking new solutions to drive university-TAFE collaboration, meeting at Griffith U today. It is a prelude to the Australian Centre for Student Equity and Access, conference this week.
George Williams, Vice-Chancellor of Western Sydney University and Chair of the Alliance said the workshop aimed to look at new models for closer collaboration.
“If we are to deliver on the ambitious goals of the Universities Accord for increased tertiary participation and equity by 2050, we need to work more closely with TAFE and industry partners,” Professor Williams said.
Some 18 universities will attend today’s “national conversation,” including members of the Group of Eight, the Australian Technology Network and Regional Universities Network. They will join ATEC Commissioner and training system veteran David Coltman plus representatives of tertiary admission centres, “industry partners” and the public VET system. There is no mention of private training sector participation.
Alliance CEO Paul Harris says his nine member universities enrol more students from training than any other university group.
Mr Harris says nursing and health are his members’ biggest courses for students moving from the training system and suggests they are likely disciplines to lead the joining-up of HE and training.
On today’s agenda are:
- TAFE-university partnerships
- Degree apprenticeships
- Dual-sector institutions
- Tertiary admissions
- Student support
- VET in schools
- Industry skills needs