Australia will need hundreds of thousands of skilled, knowledgeable workers in the next two decades to support Australia's economy and our community.
The Australian Universities Accord - released by the Federal Government in early 2024 - called for significant reform of the tertiary education system to underpin a strong, equitable and resilient Australia.
As part of the sector's response, RMIT is shaping a new tertiary education system to better address Australia's critical skills shortages and provide education opportunities for those who need to work alongside their studies.
Deputy Vice Chancellor Vocational Education and Vice President Mish Eastman said the Accord presented the University us a "once-in-a-generation opportunity" to shape a new system.
"As the largest dual-sector university in Australia, RMIT is challenging the status quo by creating new and innovative learning and teaching models," she said.
"We need an education system aligned with both vocational and higher education that rethinks learning and teaching models to address current and looming skills shortages - one that provides adult learners with education solutions that accommodate their need to work alongside study.
A learning model co-designed and delivered with industry
The University has developed the 'Earn and Learn' model - a nationally recognised work-based-learning qualification that combines vocational and higher education, co-designed and delivered with industry.
It combines Vocational and Higher Education to create pathways to address looming skills shortages, improve workforce participation, as well as the need to upskill and reskill large parts of the workforce.
The model - the first of its kind for a Victorian university at degree level - will see students complete their studies as part of their full-time, paid employment at a partner employer, allowing them to acquire valuable workplace skills while attaining a tertiary qualification.
Eastman said it was exciting for RMIT to be the first Victorian University to offer an industry-based learning model.
"Earn and Learn is a fundamental shift away from the outdated distinction between knowledge and skills that's built into our current post-school education structures."
"The University has developed nationally recognised industry-based learning qualifications that combine vocational and higher education, co-designed and delivered with industry," she said.
"Earn and Learn gives RMIT the ability to offer targeted skills and education solutions in direct response to industry needs. It will deliver life-changing experiences for our students, and tangible benefits for industry partners."
RMIT is already leading a consortium of Victorian dual-sector universities to help identify skills gaps among the state's local government workforce and subsequently deliver 'Earn and Learn' training programs to address these challenges.
The University will also collaborate with Queensland-based public and private stakeholders to offer Queensland's first nuclear medicine degree, addressing critical workforce shortages and shoring up cancer services across the state.
Earn and Learn will be implemented at RMIT through a five-year Mechanical Engineering pathway.
A double qualification while gaining valuable experience
Earn and Learn will be implemented at RMIT through a five-year Mechanical Engineering pathway, beginning in the College of Vocational Education (CoVE), commencing in 2025.
Students will undertake two years of vocational training with the Advanced Diploma of Engineering (Mechanical) before transferring to the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mechanical Engineering) in STEM College, while employed at an industry partner.
In this part of the model, students will complete the final three years of their tertiary qualification in the higher education stream, earning both a vocational and higher education qualification while attaining valuable skills and experience in the workplace.
Suburban Rail Loop Authority (SRLA) is one of the industry partners who will be taking on students through the Mechanical Engineering Earn and Learn program.
From 2025, five engineering students will work for five years in the SRLA team building the 16-kilometre southern section of the SRL East twin tunnels - which will be constructed by leading global consortium Suburban Connect.
SRLA CEO Frankie Carroll said SRLA was excited to be participating in RMIT's Earn and Learn Program.
"Suburban Rail Loop will help train the next generation of highly skilled workers, with opportunities for hundreds of cadets, trainees and apprentices - and this program is a fantastic opportunity to give young Victorians a leg up in the industry," he said.
Another key partner, BAE Systems Australia, Chief People Officer Angela Wiggins said graduating apprentices would step into the company's workforce with five years' experience applying theory into practice.
"BAE Systems is an enthusiastic supporter of degree apprenticeships because we know they work," she said.
"We already have two programs in South Australia, and we have 15 years of UK experience across 26 different disciplines that demonstrates how successful this program can be with partners such as RMIT University."
"This program is a world-class example of industry, the education sector and governments working together for the benefit of Australia."
Ixom Senior HR Business Partner Rebecca Williams said as an industry leader in chemical manufacturing and distribution, Ixom had a "critical interest" in addressing engineering skills shortages.
"The Earn and Learn model gives us access to much-needed early career mechanical engineering apprentices in the short term, while supporting a future pipeline of highly qualified graduates and a strong future for STEM education in Australia," she said.
"IXOM is very proud to be working with RMIT as an industry partner to deliver this outcome."
