Industry Applauds Progress in Unified Tertiary System
“The Australian Government’s announcement of a new Tertiary System Advisory Council to help drive the work of the Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC) in delivering a joined up tertiary education system is strongly supported by industry,” said Innes Willox, Chief Executive of the national employer association, Australian Industry Group.
“As our nation’s labour market evolves and more than 9 out of 10 new jobs in the next decade will require a tertiary qualification, it is very welcome that industry calls for greater harmonisation are being heeded. The vocational education and higher education sectors each have unique strengths and both are critically important to our future, not in isolation but as a cohesive and connected system working in partnership with industry.
“Recent research by the Australian Industry Group Centre for Education and Training ahead of the Economic Reform Roundtable highlighted that numerous structural barriers between the two systems remain. Employers remain hindered in their efforts to navigate the system.
“The main game for us as a nation is to bring together all parts of our tertiary education system, with eyes firmly fixed on growing the nation’s skills and capabilities to lift participation and productivity and meet future challenges. The work already undertaken by Jobs and Skills Australia provides a solid foundation.
“We welcome that cracking the code of credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning has been specifically called out as an area of focus. Our Centre for Education and Training has consistently identified that this system does not currently function well and reform is needed to enable more people to engage with lifelong learning.
“It is also welcomed that the new Council will include representation from industry. We have long advocated that strong industry involvement in system reforms and new initiatives is critical to the way they translate into improved productivity.
“Australian Industry Group looks forward to working through ATEC and the new Council to ensure that the golden opportunity we now have to drive meaningful and lasting tertiary education system reform is not wasted,” Mr Willox said.
https://www.aigroup.com.au/news/media-centre/2025/industry-welcomes-further-progress-towards-a-joined-up-tertiary-education-system/