Productivity Commission Interim Report a Promising Step Toward Adaptive Education System
The Australian Technology Network of Universities (ATN Universities) welcomes the Productivity Commission’s Building a skilled and adaptable workforce Interim Report, which echoes several key priorities from our submission in June, including the need for a more flexible tertiary education system that supports lifelong learning and skills mobility.
The Commission’s support for better coordination of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and course credit aligns with our call to remove structural barriers that prevent learners from accessing the credit system and building critical skills. ATN Universities’ existing credit transfer agreement demonstrates the value of coordination as we build towards more national consistency, and we urge government to work with us in further strengthening connections between vocational and higher education.
We also back the Commission’s focus on work-integrated learning and work-related training in areas where students and employers face barriers. Ensuring that students are equipped to meet the needs of our workforce is crucial to expanding national productivity.
ATN Universities support the Commission’s recommendations to help remove the roadblocks faced by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). As Australia’s most industry-engaged university grouping, ATN Universities has deep expertise in this area and is uniquely placed to partner with government and industry to allow more businesses to meaningfully participate in skilling and upskilling Australians.
We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the Productivity Commission, governments at all levels, and industry to design a more inclusive, adaptive and future-ready tertiary education system that boosts productivity and ensures all Australians can thrive in a changing economy.
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