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New Higher Education Strategy unveiled for New South Wales
Freya Lucas
Apr 04, 2025
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The New South Wales Government has unveiled a bold new strategy to ensure universities align with the state’s workforce and community needs over the next five years.
Public Partnerships for Public Benefit: The NSW Higher Education Strategy 2025-29 sets out a strategic framework to enable stronger collaboration between government and universities that targets workforce needs, student pathways, equity and effective public policy. The Government will now work with universities to ensure that academic programs are aligned with current and future workforce demands.Developed in partnership with the state’s public universities, the strategy is the only one of its kind in Australia.
Critical skills shortages in regional workforce development is a key focus of the strategy, which names early childhood education as a profession needed to support local economies and communities, along with aged and disability care, nursing and health related professions.
The NSW Government will now work with universities to streamline credit recognition and transfer systems between vocational and higher education, making it easier for students to move between different types of study and to tailor their learning to suit their career goals.
“This is an exciting step forward for NSW. Our universities are world-class, and with this strategy, we are ensuring they remain at the forefront of education, research, and industry collaboration,” NSW Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan said.
“We know NSW faces major workforce challenges, and this strategy ensures our tertiary sector is agile and responsive to those needs.”
By 2036, nine out of 10 jobs will require a post-secondary qualification, with around half requiring a university degree, and 44 per cent requiring a vocational education and training pathway. As such, the new strategy, along with the NSW Skills Plan, the Industry Policy and Innovation Blueprint, will ensure that the NSW workforce is ready for the future.
The NSW Government will collaborate with the Commonwealth, Jobs and Skills Australia, and education providers to deliver these reforms and create a higher education sector that provides the skilled workforce we need today and into the future.
Learn more here.
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