In an innovation economy, Canberra will succeed or fail on its ideas and adaptability. My hope for Canberra is that it become the most vibrant and progressive life-long learning city in Australia.
In the next few years, Australia’s tertiary and training landscape will be transformed. In a new innovation economy it will be necessary to redefine education as an economic good, not just a social good.
The Territory will need a sophisticated export strategy for education that addresses new challenges.
We must attract more academics, teachers, lecturers, Phd students, Masters students, international students, trainees and apprentices to Canberra.
We must look to our region – and become an education and skills hub for regional and country New South Wales.
We must build on our strengths and our foundations.
Institutions such as the University of Canberra, Australian National University, Canberra Institute of Technology and many other private vocational and higher education providers will be the innovators who make this city into the knowledge and innovation capital of Australia.
It is the most sustainable growth we can ever imagine.
By 2050 I’d like to see more people employed in the education and training sector than the public service in Canberra. That is a significant challenge but something that can be achieved with the right policy settings and support from Government.
I want Canberra to be the first city in Australia to create a truly integrated, high quality, low cost and efficient tertiary and training education system.
To achieve this we must focus on students – delivering for them the courses and qualifications they want. And we must give industry what they need - skilled and flexible workforces for the future.
Last year I convened a Tertiary Taskforce to provide recommendations for reform. The Taskforce was made up of high-level representatives from our world-class education providers.
Some impressive ideas have emerged such as a one-stop online education portal.
In the long term, I want to see students mixing and matching courses between institutions in the Territory.
Administrative structures and funding systems should not be the red tape that gets in the way of students creating unique combinations of qualifications.
The University of Canberra and Canberra Institute of Technology will build on their collaboration in areas such as early childhood education and forensic science, and could introduce foundation degrees.
Foundation degrees are a higher education qualification that combines academic study with work-based learning.
Degrees are jointly designed by universities, training providers and employers.
Importantly, CIT and UC will work to investigate other innovative ways to collaborate and ensure that high quality tertiary education is a key economic driver in the Territory.
The University of Canberra is leading the way in innovative partnerships between schools and universities.
A partnership between Kaleen High School and Lake Ginninderra College – soon to be called the University of Canberra High School and University of Canberra Senior Secondary College – and the University will provide strong student transitions into higher education.
This partnership will also enhance research on teacher quality and student learning.
Vocational education and training in schools and career counselling will be enhanced.
Young people in the ACT will have individual pathways plans to support their transitions from school into further education, training and employment.
This initiative will be developed as part of our ACT Youth Commitment, which has been developed to ensure that no young person in the ACT is lost from education, training or employment.
The pathways plans will help young people identify their strengths, interests and goals and outline the steps needed to attain their goals.
It will also enable young people to explore the different learning pathways available to them, and manage change.
Every young person in the ACT will be learning or earning. The time has come for everyone in Canberra to take responsibility for our young people.
Our tertiary system must be easier to navigate, more connected and strive for an even higher quality.
Education in the capital must be seen as more than just good social capital – but as a key driver of economic growth.
