RMIT celebrates completion of first phase of initiative to upskill local council workers

RMIT celebrates completion of first phase of initiative to upskill local council workers

Last week, RMIT University celebrated the completion of the pilot phase of our ‘Earn and Learn’ model for the local government workforce.

The model is a flagship initiative funded by the Department of Government Services (DGS), who invested $6.3 million to facilitate the program. Led by RMIT University, it was delivered in partnership with Swinburne, Victoria University, and Federation University.  

Phase 1 of the initiative focused on development of training solutions that address key workforce skills gaps identified by councils, and the Australian Services Union (ASU), in their current workforce.  

Four bespoke courses were developed and offered through each individual participating tertiary institution, via a fully funded pilot program.

Mish Eastman, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Vocational Education at RMIT, said the initiative responded directly to ongoing evidence of skills gaps, recruitment challenges, and workforce shortages in Victorian local government, highlighted by sector surveys and consultations.  

“Key aims of this initiative include supporting workforce development, bringing new workers into the sector and developing pathways to fill critical role shortages, and strengthening industry partnerships through harmonised tertiary approaches and innovative pathways,” she said.

17 December 2025

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Mish Eastman, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Vocational Education at RMIT. Mish Eastman, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Vocational Education at RMIT.

Hearing from program participants

To celebrate the completion of the pilot phase of this initiative, RMIT hosted a celebration event on City campus. 

Attendees heard from The Hon. Nick Staikos, Minister for Local Government in Victoria, RMIT Deputy Vice-Chancellor Vocational Education Mish Eastman, and Vice-President Strategy & Community Impact Tom Bentley. 

Eastman announced that while Phase 1 courses will continue to be delivered in 2026, the initiative was simultaneously moving into Phase 2, marking the transition from piloting upskilling programs to a deeper, robust co-design approach.  

“This phase focuses on addressing critical workforce shortages in local councils by developing and piloting innovative ‘Earn and Learn’ training solutions tailored to specific council needs,” she said.

Following the announcement and keynote remarks, Eastman and the Minister co-hosted a panel discussion with learners and educators who participated in the first phase of the initiative.

Panellists discussed their expectations and experiences of these unique learning models and how it is helping their career journey as well as touching on their time in the local government workforce, ongoing learner journey and future career aspirations. 

The Hon. Nick Staikos, Minister for Local Government in Victoria, and RMIT educator Tina Manolitsas. The Hon. Nick Staikos, Minister for Local Government in Victoria, and RMIT educator Tina Manolitsas.

Earn and Learn at RMIT

RMIT, in collaboration with industry and government, has developed the ‘Earn and Learn’ model - a nationally recognised work-based-learning qualification that combines vocational and higher education, co-designed and delivered with industry.

It combines Vocational and Higher Education to create learning opportunities to address looming skills shortages, improve workforce participation, as well as the need to upskill and reskill large parts of the workforce.

The model is the first of its kind for a Victorian university at degree level. It sees students complete their studies as part of their full-time, paid employment at a partner employer, allowing them to acquire valuable workplace skills while attaining a tertiary qualification.

This initiative in the local government workforce, first announced in 2024 is one of several Earn and Learn initiatives the University has launched in the last few years, in areas such as nuclear medicine, cybersecurity, IT and Systems Engineering. 

The Australian Universities Accord – released by the Federal Government in early 2024 – called for significant reform of the tertiary education system to underpin a strong, equitable and resilient Australia.

Eastman said the Accord presented the University us a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to shape a new tertiary education system.

“As the largest dual-sector university in Australia, RMIT is challenging the status quo by creating new and innovative learning and teaching models,” she said.

“We need an education system aligned with both vocational and higher education that rethinks learning and teaching models to address current and looming skills shortages – one that provides adult learners with education solutions that accommodate their need to work alongside study.”

Find out more about Earn and Learn at RMIT.

 

Story: Finn Devlin

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17 December 2025

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