The Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA) has taken a historic leadership stance by setting an agenda to revolutionise the higher education and skills training systems through seamless integration, empowering individuals, and driving economic growth. In a submission to an Australian Government review to support the development of the Australian Universities Accord, ITECA has boldly recommended a radical rethinking of the support provided to students.
"It is significant that the remit of the review includes an examination of how the higher education and skills training systems can work together. Given that ITECA is the peak body representing both independent skills training and higher education providers, it's natural that our members have made some strong recommendations in this area," said Troy Williams, ITECA Chief Executive.
ITECA's members have set a path for a radical rethinking of student loan and funding models and an ambitious red tape reduction agenda.
"ITECA's members have set out a path where the higher education and skills training systems can operate as one, but retain their separate strengths and identities. The current higher education and skills training funding models have been criticised for limiting student choice and creating red tape, something that acts as a barrier to innovation by independent tertiary education providers," Mr Williams said.
According to ITECA members, if the Australian Universities Accord is to achieve its goals, a radical rethinking of student support needs to be undertaken.
"The Australian Universities Accord will only achieve its goals if there is an end to the delineation between funding and regulatory models of the two sectors. As a nation, we need a system that places students at the centre without sacrificing the separate strengths and identities of the higher education and skills training sectors," Mr Williams said.
With the Australian Government's focus on budget sustainability, ITECA's submission has been realistic about the Australian Government's ability to significantly invest more in the higher education system.
"While welcoming larger government investment to support students, ITECA has been pragmatic in its recommendations, setting out a reform agenda that can largely be achieved within the existing funding envelope.," Mr Williams said.
According to ITECA, the review of higher education comes at a critical time.
"The review presents an opportunity to rectify the disadvantages faced by students and build a truly student-centric tertiary education system that is a model for the world to emulate," Mr Williams said.
As a member of the Universities Accord Ministerial Reference Group, ITECA's Chief Executive, Troy Williams, emphasises the review's significance, which includes examining how the higher education and skills training systems can work together. With around 10% of the 1.6 million students in a higher education awards program studying with independent providers, ITECA's submission is a historic call to action for the Australian Government to revolutionise the higher education and skills training systems.
