RMIT University brings together industry and government to address Australia’s skills crisis

RMIT University brings together industry and government to address Australia’s skills crisis

This week, RMIT hosted an industry forum 'Addressing the Skills Crisis with Innovative Education Models', bringing together industry, government and civil society to discuss how the tertiary education sector can help meet Australia’s workforce challenges now and into the future.

The forum discussed the role of the tertiary education sector in addressing current and future workforce skills demands, with the Australian Universities Accord calling for sector reform to meet Australia’s skills shortages.

Alongside RMIT Vice-Chancellor Professor Alec Cameron and Deputy Vice-Chancellor College of Vocational Education (VE) Mish Eastman, attendees heard from industry leaders such as CEO Victorian Skills Authority Craig Robertson. 

There was also a panel discussion that Deputy Commissioner Jobs & Skills Australia Megan Lilly, General Manager Strategy & Policy Suburban Rail Loop Authority Sashi Balaraman and Diploma of IT student Vicki Kane.

21 March 2025

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CEO Victorian Skills Authority Craig Robertson speaking at lectern. CEO Victorian Skills Authority Craig Robertson.

Earn and Learn: a turning point for tertiary education

The industry forum was held after the University recently launched its industry-based learning model, Earn and Learn. The model is the first of its kind for a Victorian university at degree level.

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,” he said.

“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.”

RMIT is leading the nation in the size and scale of industry-based learning models like Earn and Learn. 

More than 1000 students have so far enrolled in vocational and higher education pathways in areas like IT, cyber security, engineering, aged care and nuclear medicine, while fully integrated in their workplace.

Addressing the skills crisis in Australia

As an industry-based learning model, Earn and Learn is co-designed and delivered with RMIT’s array of industry partners. 

The University has worked with state governments in Victoria, Western Australia and Queensland, as well as partners like the Suburban Rail Loop Authority and Ixom, to launch several qualifications so far. 

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,” she said.

“They have the opportunity to shape student learning and training according to their specific needs, closing skills gaps and improving productivity.”

Event speakers and panel members.Event speakers and panel members. From L to R: RMIT Vice-Chancellor Professor Alec Cameron, DVC College of Vocational Education Mish Eastman, CEO Victorian Skills Authority Craig Robertson, Deputy Commissioner Jobs & Skills Australia Megan Lilly, General Manager Strategy & Policy Suburban Rail Loop Authority Sashi Balaraman and Diploma of IT student Vicki Kane.

Eastman said Earn and Learn will play an important role in providing opportunities for creating a more dynamic workforce.

“RMIT is shaping a new system to provide opportunities for those who need to work alongside their studies,” she said. 

“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 students’ training and experience will empower our workforce, helping Australia meet skills gaps and workforce challenges as and when they arise.” 

Get involved in Earn and Learn at RMIT

Cameron said RMIT is “ready to scale” its Earn and Learn offering and encouraged industry partners to reach out to get involved in an existing Earn and Learn pathway, or co-design and deliver a new one. 

“It’s time to put aside outdated notions of tertiary education, to widen our lens to the bigger picture, and move forward together.” he said.

“I believe this is a once in a generation opportunity to make education truly lifelong and for the betterment of all.”

If you’d like to get involved in an existing Earn and Learn model, or help design and deliver a new one, please consider getting in touch with our partnerships teams:

You can learn more about Earn and Learn by visiting RMIT’s website.

 

Story: Finn Devlin

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21 March 2025

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