RMIT’s College of Vocational Education prepared to lead the way for tertiary harmonisation

RMIT’s College of Vocational Education prepared to lead the way for tertiary harmonisation

RMIT’s College of Vocational Education (CoVE) has recently launched EVOLVE @ RMIT – its new strategic roadmap through to 2031 – designed to ensure RMIT leads the way in industry-connected, learner-centred education.

The new roadmap will see CoVE lead by example and demonstrate the impact and benefits of a joined-up system.  

At the internal launch event for EVOLVE, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Vocational Education and Vice President Mish Eastman spoke with Professor of Practice, Workforce Skills and Innovation, Brendan O’Connor about the key priorities for the vocational education sector in Australia.  

"Australia’s education system needs to evolve at a pace that matches our national priorities, both social and economic. The integration of vocational education, higher education and industry is vital to not only address workforce challenges, but also to provide high-quality and flexible education solutions for future learners," Eastman said.   

"EVOLVE recognises that a dynamic and fast-changing world requires cutting edge skills and knowledge. Collaboration between vocational education, higher education and industry is pivotal which is why these partnerships are a key part of our roadmap for the future."

O’Connor reiterated that the labour market is changing at an unprecedented rate and it was vital for government, industry and education providers to keep up. 

"If you think about the digitisation of old sectors of our economy, or you think about how AI is disrupting the labour market generally and you look at the way jobs are being reconfigured, it includes evolved conceptual knowledge and technical skills. Previously these would have been separated by university and VET and that’s no longer the case," he said. 

"RMIT is one of the very few places that can say it has all of those skills under its own roof, and that is the knowledge that they are providing to students."

Speaking to RMIT’s strengths, O’Connor noted that it was the perfect testing ground for new models of learning that will help the labour market. 

"The government needs to be working with institutions that have the breadth of learning, especially when looking at piloting new forms of learning in our education system and RMIT is as good as any institution in this country to help with those reforms," he said. 

Brendan O'Connor, Mish Eastman and Alex White, Chief Executive Officer, Victorian TAFE Association. Brendan O'Connor, Mish Eastman and Alex White, Chief Executive Officer, Victorian TAFE Association.

EVOLVE @ RMIT was developed through extensive consultation with staff, students, alumni and key industry partners. It builds on the foundations of CoVE’s first roadmap, ALiVE (2020–2025), which established the College under a new operating model. 

To achieve the College's vision and contribute to RMIT’s overarching Knowledge with Action strategy, five core actions have been identified: 

  • Offer transformative education experiences: Embedding industry-aligned experiential learning for all students. 
  • Connect across RMIT and industry for applied research: Positioning CoVE as a catalyst for research that informs new approaches to learning. 
  • Respond at pace and scale: Co-creating innovative models like Earn & Learn to address productivity and workforce needs. 
  • Grow our regional impact: Advancing RMIT as the leading multi-sector provider in South and Southeast Asia. 
  • Invest in our people: Fostering a culture of innovation and excellence where staff feel valued and inspired to innovate. 

From the rapid acceleration of AI and technological disruption to workforce shortages in critical sectors, the demand for adaptable skills has never been higher. Learners are increasingly looking to flexible and employment-linked pathways to education.  

As the largest dual-sector University, RMIT is in a unique position to set the standard and lead the way in showcasing the benefits of a joined-up system.  

The full EVOLVE @ RMIT Roadmap is available here. 

05 March 2026

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05 March 2026

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