A vision that includes a web of links between industry and education is a step closer to reality.
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The University College held a business breakfast in Launceston in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday to help facilitate community conversations with the business sector.
University College chief executive Lee Whiteley spoke at the breakfast about the role the college has to play in igniting the spark of passion among Tasmania’s population.
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“We have identified a need to lift productivity, to grow people and skills in our regions, to make sure people are the best version of themselves they could possibly be,” he said.
“To do that, it’s really important we work with our employees to give them the opportunities some of them may not have gotten the first time.”
Mr Whiteley said the college’s range of associate degrees were developed in consultation with industry to ensure graduates were job-ready and had the skills and knowledge needed.
“The University College is opening up new pathways into higher education with a range of shorter, more flexible courses with a strong focus on gaining real-world experience,” Mr Whiteley said.
“Our students can go on to further education by transitioning into a bachelor degree and beyond, or they can graduate ready for a job in one of a number of industries vital for our state’s future.
The University College was launched in 2016 but has ramped up its efforts and offerings in 2017.
Professor Black said there were three areas the university had identified it needed to address to improve the state’s economy.
Those areas are participation, productivity and international competitiveness.
“Participation for a prosperous future absolutely matters. We have a huge opportunity, we see it as a challenge and an opportunity for human capital uplift for the state,” he said.
Professor Black said the university “absolutely” needed to play its part to improve those areas and the university colleges’ associate degrees was one feather in its cap.
“They [associate degrees] address those three areas we see as critical for the state’s future,” he said.
The business breakfast was held at the Tramsheds, Inveresk.
A business lunch will be hosted by the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Wednesday in Hobart.