The release of the Australian by the federal Minister for Education has been welcomed by the Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA), the peak body representing independent providers in the higher education, skills training and international education sectors.
“The proposed Australian Universities Accord offers a pathway to a more integrated tertiary education system. The goal is where the higher education and skills training sectors operate as one but retain their separate strengths and identities,” said Troy Williams, ITECA Chief Executive.
Given that ITECA’s membership span both the higher education system and the skills training system, the views of its members will be critical to the development of the accord.
“Australia needs an environment that supports lifelong learning. Australia needs an integrated tertiary education system where people can enter higher education and skills training throughout their working lives. Sadly, the institutional roadblocks in the tertiary education system make this harder than needed,” Mr Williams said.
ITECA will use the consultation process leading to the proposed Australian Universities Accord to set out the case for reform to the regulation and funding of not just the higher education sector, but the broader tertiary education system.
“ITECA wants to put students at the centre of tertiary education. Right now, they are faced with a baffling array of advice on study options, different funding options and even two different tertiary education loan programs. Australia can do better by its students,” Mr Williams said.
With the release of the Australian Universities Accord Discussion Paper, ITECA will provide advice and guidance on the reforms that are needed to best support students.
“The Minister for Education is right to look for reforms that span one, two and even three decades. With bold ambition, we can ensure that higher education is more accessible and easier to navigate than is presently the case. It’s a discussion that ITECA members are very much looking forward to,” Mr Williams said.
The importance of a more integrated system is critical to independent providers that support around 10% of the 1.6 million students in higher education and independent Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) that support more than 87% of the 4.3 million students in skills training.
Mr Williams is a member of the Australian Universities Accord Ministerial Reference Group that acts as a sounding board and a source of advice to the Minister for Education throughout the development of the Universities Accord.
