What now? What next? Insights into Australia's tertiary education sector

In this episode of the podcast Claire is joined by Timmy Theopelus, Vice President Business Development and Strategic Partnerships at Axioo - part of the Indonesian technology company PT Tera Data Indonusa.

Timmy explains why PT Tera Data developed the Axioo Class program which now operates in almost 1,000 vocational colleges in Indonesia and why the program has been recognised by the International Labour Organisation for ...

In this episode Claire unpacks the recommendations of the Universities Accord Panel and the response of the key stakeholders in the sector.

In doing so she references the following:

• The Universities Accord Panel final report: https://www.education.gov.au/australian-universities-accord/resources/final-report
• My analysis of the challenges in implementing some of the Panel's recommendations: https://clairefield.com.au/...

In this episode of the podcast Claire is joined by Jennie Tax, Executive Director – Education at Experience Gold Coast. Jennine shares details of the really impressive work being done by Experience Gold Coast to support all tertiary students studying on the Gold Coast including their unique Kickstart Graduate Program.

Find out more about Experience Gold Coast at: https://experiencegoldcoast.au

Also find out more a...

In this episode of the podcast, Claire was joined by Jeffrey Lehrer,  National Compliance Manager at The Scout Association of Australia's RTO. He outlines why Scouts have an RTO and how both adult volunteers and young scouts benefit - as well as discussing the work being done (in Australia and internationally) to better recognise non-formal learning.

For international listeners interested in non-formal learning and/or...

In this episode Claire speaks with Russ Hawkins, CEO of Community Colleges Australia, about a range of VET issues. 

Find out more about what Russ and Claire discussed:

• Community Colleges Australia: https://cca.edu.au
• 2023 CCA conference: https://cca.edu.au/what-we-do/2023-cca-annual-conference/
• House of Representatives Select Committee on Workforce Australia Employment Services: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Busine...

In this episode of the podcast Claire is joined by Aurelia Eves a recent graduate of the University of Southern Queensland - who shares her experiences and ideas on what changes are needed to help rural students go back to study and transition into new careers

Contact Claire:

• Connect with me on LinkedIn: Claire Field
• Follow me on Bluesky: @clairefield.bsky.social
• Check out the news pages on my website: clairefield.com.au
• Em...

In this episode Claire explains the suite of reforms to international education announced in 2023 and what they mean for different providers and the sector overall. 

She refers to the following reports, publications and releases: 

• 2022 investigative reports by the SMH/The Age on Australia's migration system
• August 2023 SMH/The Age "ghost colleges" article 
• August 2023 joint media release
• August 2023 Ministe...

In this episode Claire looks at some of the important developments in VET in 2023 and looks ahead to 2024. In doing so she references the following reports and analysis:

• NCVER's 2023 Government-funded VET Student and Courses: https://www.ncver.edu.au/research-and-statistics/publications/all-publications/government-funded-students-and-courses-january-to-june-2023
• Fee Free TAFE in 2023 and 2024: https://clairefield.com.au/fee-...

In this episode Claire is joined by three of the founders of the International Education Sustainability Group (IESG) - Will Archer, Ailsa Lamont and Emily O'Callaghan. They've been working with  co-founder Nannette Ripmeester on developing the Climate Action Barometer for International Education (CABie): https://ie-sg.org/cabie/

The Barometer launched in late July and has the support of the following founding par...

In this episode, Claire is joined by Dianne Dayhew of the National Apprentice Employer Network (NAEN) which is the national peak body representing group training organisations. 

Di shares her insights (and those of some of the other keynote speakers from the recent NAEN conference) to explain how the labour market and therefore apprenticeships are changing and the vital role of group training organisations.

Contact Claire:

In this episode Claire is joined by Acumen's Chief Commercial and Partnership Officer, Marnie Watson. Marnie shares her insights on TNE opportunities in higher education and VET - as well as some great tips in managing high performing teams remotely.

Contact Claire:

• Connect with me on LinkedIn: Claire Field
• Follow me on Bluesky: @clairefield.bsky.social
• Check out the news pages on my website: clairefield....

In this episode of the podcast Claire is joined by ACTU Assistant Secretary, Liam O'Brien to discuss VET reform.

Claire also unpacks the skills and higher education initiatives outlined in the newly released Employment White Paper - which you can download from the Treasury website

Contact Claire:

• Connect with me on LinkedIn: Claire Field
• Follow me on Bluesky: @clairefield.bsky.social
• Check out the news pages on...

In this episode of the podcast, Claire is joined by Ukraine's Ambassador to Australia, His Excellency, Vasyl Myroshnychenko to discuss the impact of the war, particularly on Ukraine's  students - and what Australia's tertiary education institutions can do to help.

The exhibition the Ambassador discusses is Unissued Diplomas: Ukrainian Student War Victims: https://www.unissueddiplomas.org

And if you ...

In this episode of the podcast Claire explains why Skills Ministers are embarking on reforms to VET qualifications, where the process is up to, and what the changes are likely to mean for RTOs. She also explains why there's a demand for change and why the VET sector might go through all of this effort, only to find industry subsequently arguing (again) for more specificity and prescription.

If you haven't engaged...

In this episode of the podcast, international education expert Dirk Mulder joins Claire to discuss the changes the sector is currently undergoing and those still to come. He also discusses his new venture: https://thekoalanews.com where you'll find all the latest Australian international education news.

Contact Claire:

• Connect with me on LinkedIn: Claire Field
• Follow me on Bluesky: @clairefield.bsky.social
• Che...

Dr. Carina Garland is the Federal MP for the seat of Chisholm, as well as a member of the House of Representatives' Standing Committee on Employment, Education and Training.

She joined Claire on the podcast to discuss the Universities Accord Panel's work and its Interim Report. If you're wanting to provide feedback on the Interim Report, the Panel is accepting submissions until 1 September 2023: https://www....

In this episode Claire is joined by Anastasiia Horyslavets, a refugee who fled Ukraine last year and is now studying at RMIT University.  She is being supported in her studies by the new MEGT Foundation - and the Foundation Manager, Jodie Belyea also joined Claire on this episode of the podcast.

If you want to find out more about the MEGT Foundation and the ways it can assist students (or if you want to get involved) - you...

In this episode Claire is joined by Brian Wexham, CEO of Skills One and the Chair of National Skills Week, to discuss his efforts to help VET showcase all of the myriad, life changing opportunities it creates for students.

If you want to learn more about the different initiatives Brian mentions in the interview these are the links you'll need:

• National Skills Week: https://www.nationalskillsweek.com.au
• SkillsOne: ht...

In this episode of the podcast, Claire is joined by the CEO of Kallibr Training, Gerard Healy to discuss the risks associated with the constant level of policy churn in VET and some current programs which might provide potential solutions.

And more change is ahead - with the NSW government launching a new review of its VET sector (https://education.nsw.gov.au/about-us/strategies-and-reports/our-reports-and-reviews/nsw-voca...