The recent release of the Australian Universities Accord’s final report marks a pivotal moment for tertiary education. This comprehensive review, the most significant in 15 years, lays out a 25-year blueprint for overhauling the university system – aiming for greater equity, accessibility, and a stronger alignment with Australia’s future skills needs by 2050.
The recommendations are far-reaching, from establishing new commissions to redesigning funding models. They acknowledge critical challenges within the current system, particularly around participation from underrepresented groups and the need to future-proof our workforce.
But while Australia’s university sector plans for a generational transformation, the question must be asked: Can we afford to wait until 2050 for Australia to have the skills it desperately needs today?
At Learning Online Group, we believe the answer is a resounding no. The very goals the Accord seeks to achieve for universities are already the foundational strengths of the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector – particularly through agile, online providers like us.
VET: Delivering the “Future” of Education, Today
The Accord’s vision for 2050 sounds remarkably like what high-quality VET is already providing:
1. Immediate Relevance & Job-Ready Skills
- Accord’s Vision: A tertiary system that meets Australia’s “future skills needs,” with closer ties to industry.
- VET’s Reality: VET is inherently designed for this. Our courses are developed in close consultation with industry to ensure every skill taught is directly applicable and immediately valuable in the workforce. Students graduate with practical, job-ready competencies, not just theoretical knowledge. We’re equipping Australians for careers now, not decades from now.
2. True Equity & Accessibility
- Accord’s Vision: Increase participation from regional, remote, and low SES students through suburban study hubs and improved financial support.
- VET’s Reality: Online VET is the ultimate equity and access solution. Our flexible, self-paced model removes geographical barriers entirely. Students can learn from anywhere, anytime, allowing them to balance study with work, family, and other commitments without needing to relocate or attend rigid campus-based classes. This empowers individuals who might otherwise be excluded from tertiary education.
3. Agility in Responding to Change
- Accord’s Vision: A tertiary system capable of adapting to rapid economic and technological shifts, supporting lifelong learning and stackable credentials.
- VET’s Reality: The VET sector is built for agility. We can rapidly develop and update courses to meet emerging industry demands – whether it’s the latest techniques in beauty, new photography styles, or evolving floristry trends. Our modular Certificate and Diploma structure perfectly supports lifelong learning, allowing individuals to gain specific skills as needed to advance their careers or reskill for new opportunities.
4. Outcomes-Driven Education
- Accord’s Vision: A system focused on student success and positive employment outcomes.
- VET’s Reality: From day one, VET is focused on a clear outcome: employment or career advancement. Our student support, practical assessments, and industry connections are all geared towards ensuring our graduates are confident, competent, and ready to step into their chosen fields.
Why Online VET is Australia’s Immediate Solution
While the long-term strategic thinking of the Universities Accord is crucial, Australia’s economy and its people cannot afford to wait 25 years for essential changes. The skills gap is here, and it’s growing.
Online VET providers like Learning Online Group are not just an alternative; we are the immediate, effective, and agile solution that directly addresses many of the challenges the Accord seeks to rectify. We deliver high-quality, industry-relevant education that transforms lives and careers, making a real impact on Australia’s workforce today.
A great example of this is how agile we are to help students capitalise on real world opportunities with our ability to launch new courses and schools fast! In the last 18 months, Learning Online Group has launched 5 new schools, with a 6th to come before the end of 2025. This has meant over 30 new courses covering in-demand roles throughout Australian and Canada. Can you imagine how long it would take to bring 5 new Universities to life, let alone a single University launching 30+ additional courses?
At the Learning Online Group, we are committed to providing accessible, outcomes-focused learning experiences that empower individuals and contribute directly to a more skilled, resilient Australia. The future of tertiary education is here, and it’s vocational.
