“We can’t keep trying the same things and expecting different results”: RMIT expert on attracting, upskilling and retaining skilled workers in Australia

Mish Eastman, Deputy Vice Chancellor Vocational Education & Vice President

Topics: Jobs Summit, skills, training, education, workforce shortages, employment. 

“We need a policy and legislative framework that enables the national skills and training system to be more responsive in addressing immediate, emerging, and longer-term skills needs – but we can’t keep trying the same things and expecting different results.”  

“There is greater need than ever for a collaborative approach to ensure the education and training sector is working in partnership and at scale across jurisdictions, to ensure lifelong learning and job opportunities for all Australians in a rapidly changing workforce and economy.” 

“Governments and industry need to do more to set a benchmark that will not only attract but keep people in these sectors. In some of our most critical areas of workforce shortage, it is not skills that are lacking. Pay, job security, and satisfaction mean it is impossible to attract enough people to areas in such as education and the care economy.”

“We need industry to agree on what they want, government to agree on how to fund it, and education providers to provide high quality experiences and outcomes future employees need.” 

“We need an agile system which enables us to skill, upskill, and reskill, supported by genuine partnerships to enhance industry learning outcomes though micro-credentials, cadetships and work-integrated learning skills design.”   

“States and the Commonwealth Government need to work more closely to break down the separation and complexity within and between policy, regulatory, and funding parameters across the education and training system.”  

“We also need to look to dual sector universities for solutions. They are at the cutting edge of skills solutions and have an enormous role to play in workforce preparation, but also applied research, industry partnerships and helping to serve the needs of cities.” 

“There needs to be genuine government and industry partnership that is recognised not only though intent, but in co-investment, to improve job prospects for our most disadvantaged and vulnerable communities.”  

“There remain significant barriers to participation in the workforce and people are being left behind. For women, those from CALD and migrant backgrounds, and Indigenous communities, we are not yet doing enough, and the education and training system can’t be expected to tackle these challenges in isolation.”

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Mish Eastman is an experienced education and health leader in the higher education and training sector, with expertise in identifying and creating new collaborative models of education and training. Mish is developing and leading a renewed vision and strategic direction for Vocational Education at RMIT, including the establishment of the new College of Vocational Education and a five-year strategic roadmap for vocational and applied learning. 

For Interviews: Mish Eastman, Deputy Vice Chancellor Vocational Education & Vice President, 0400 699 574 or mish.eastman@rmit.edu.au

General media enquiries: RMIT Communications, 0439 704 077 or news@rmit.edu.au