Content
Training and Education Partnerships on the Sunshine Coast
10 September 2005
The workforce needs of the Sunshine Coast are becoming
increasingly complex as the region's population grows and its
economy develops and diversifies. We are part of one of the most
rapidly growing regions in Australia. Our University will play a
pivotal role in supporting workforce development and in providing
the community with access to a wide range of career paths. The
University, however, is only part of the larger educational
picture.
In addition to the demand for higher education qualifications at
the degree and postgraduate levels, there will be parallel growth
in, and demand for, graduates from the TAFE sector. National skills
shortages have received much political and media attention of late.
Within Queensland, the recently released Green Paper - Skills for
Jobs and Growth prepared by the Department of Employment and
Training, sets out to define a new vision for vocational education
and training in this State.
In recent times the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) and
the Cooloola Sunshine Institute of TAFE (CSIT) have been jointly
addressing the training and education needs of the region and how
cooperation can provide enhanced outcomes for students, the
community and the region. A growing list of combined diploma/degree
programs is becoming available. Articulation of the University's
programs with CSIT programs involves a structure that allows
students to integrate their TAFE studies with a relevant university
degree. They achieve TAFE and higher education qualifications
concurrently and in less time than it would normally take to
achieve the qualifications separately.
In many employment areas, the outcomes of vocational and higher
education are being seen as complementary. This is well
demonstrated in the sports area where we currently offer a combined
Diploma of Fitness (CSIT) and a Bachelor of Science in Exercise
Therapy (USC). The Diploma of Hospitality Management (CSIT) and
Bachelor of Business (USC) is another example of complementary
qualifications. From 2006 there will be opportunities to combine a
Diploma of Photo Imaging or Diploma of Visual Arts with a Bachelor
of Arts.
From the University's perspective, we also know that about half
our students do not enter university directly from high school.
Many of these people come to us with TAFE qualifications. In a
region of rapid population change, many new arrivals are looking to
build on their current qualifications and the region's capacity to
retain its workforce depends, in part at least, on opportunities
being available for further education. The University recognises
this cohort as an important stakeholder group. We need to cater to
their needs if we are to fulfill our mission to be a major catalyst
to the development of the region. This year the University has
completed a major review of its articulation arrangements with the
TAFE sector so that information on pathways and credit transfer is
readily available.
With the hospital and allied heath infrastructure of the
Sunshine Coast set to grow exponentially in the next few years,
CSIT and USC are already engaged in strategic planning that will
address workforce needs and ensure the programs of the TAFE
Institute and University interface effectively and
innovatively.
We live in an age of life-long learning where up-skilling,
retraining and career changes are transforming the workforce and
our individual lives. The education system needs to reflect this
environment starting with the schools and incorporating TAFE and
universities. The University is a key partner in this learning
community and we can enrich, as well as be enriched by,
partnerships with the schools and TAFE colleges of the region. The
positive and growing partnerships currently in place suggest that
the Sunshine Coast will be well prepared to meet the education and
training challenges of the future.
Professor Greg Hill is Acting Vice-Chancellor of University
of the Sunshine Coast in the absence of the
Vice-Chancellor