South Regional TAFE Managing Director Blair Marsh and ECU Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Regional Futures) Professor Cobie Rudd.
Students studying in the South West will benefit from clearer pathways between vocational education and university through a new partnership between Edith Cowan University (ECU) and South Regional TAFE.
The two institutions today signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Bunbury, establishing the South West as an exemplar for a more connected, place-based approach to tertiary education.
The partnership aims to improve access, participation and qualification attainment by making it easier for students to move in both directions between TAFE and university, and by opening up options that currently do not exist and that meet industry needs.
By bringing together education, training and industry, the partnership will also help develop the skilled workforce needed to support the South West's changing economy and growing communities.
The partnership will include a coordinated approach to industry engagement, incorporating identifying priority workforce and skill development needs, as well as devising joint initiatives to advance regional development.
The two institutions also intend to progress shared learning and engagement spaces at South Regional TAFE campuses in Bunbury, Margaret River, Harvey and Collie.
ECU Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Regional Futures) Professor Cobie Rudd said the partnership would help break down the idea that students must choose between TAFE or university.
"ECU and South Regional TAFE are the two largest tertiary education providers in the South West, and we already physically work side by side in the Bunbury Education Precinct," Professor Rudd said.
"Where you live shouldn't limit where education can take you. By working together, we are giving regional students more choice and stronger connections with local employers. A more joined-up model will deliver a sustainable, larger and stable education and training system for the South West.
"We also want to create new opportunities for students to gain employment while they study their degree, by creating easier pathways that bridge TAFE and university. This will give students more opportunities to learn from employers and give employers a greater role in developing their workforce. We aim to be the innovative, industry-connected partnership provider – right here in the South West."
South Regional TAFE Managing Director Blair Marsh said the partnership would create a more seamless system for students exploring what their career looks like.
"By partnering with ECU, South Regional TAFE is demonstrating a commitment to creating greater and more supported study pathways for regional students across the South West.
"The opportunity to stack vocational and higher education credentials will benefit students and future employers with a unique combination of academic knowledge, vocational skills and real-world industry experience.
"The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding is just the beginning, and we look forward to exploring future opportunities across learning pathways, industry engagement, and facilities in our key regional towns."
Australian Government Minister for Education, the Hon Jason Clare MP, welcomed the partnership and the opportunities it would create for students across the South West.
"I want to see more of this across the country, breaking down the artificial barrier between TAFE and university.
"This will create more opportunity for the South West and make it easier for people to get the skills they need," Minister Clare said.
From tertiary harmonisation to harmony
ECU Vice-Chancellor Professor Clare Pollock said the partnership was an important step towards a more connected tertiary education system.
"Australia's tertiary education pathways remain fragmented. The result is a system that demands students adapt to its structures, rather than enabling their aspirations," Professor Pollock said.
"A coherent tertiary system is not simply an educational aspiration. It is national infrastructure, central to Australia's economic resilience, equity and productivity."
The unique partnership aligns with the Australian Universities Accord's call for greater integration and coordination across Australia's tertiary education system.
ECU and South Regional TAFE will now work together on governance, implementation priorities and the development of specific initiatives under the partnership.
