What now? What next? Insights into Australia's tertiary education sector

Available Episodes

5 of 132

Prof. Erica Smith - "Nothing for the girls" in apprenticeship reforms
In this episode of the podcast Claire speaks with Emeritus Prof. Erica Smith on the state of apprenticeships in Australia and how a raft of recent reforms are privileging traditional male trades over apprenticeships/traineeships in feminised industries.Claire and Erica discuss the recent Strategic Review of the Australian Apprenticeship Incentive System and the government's interim response to the review.Erica has appeared on the podcast previously (episode 68) with Prof. Andrew Norton.In this current episode, Erica also discusses some of her recent research (noting that her yet-to-be published paper focuses on the Strategic Review of the Australian Apprenticeship Incentive System):Smith, E. (2024). Rescue and recovery: The COVID and post-COVID responses of apprenticeship systems. International Review of Applied Economics. 38:3, 337-356. https://doi.org/10.1080/02692171.2024.2336546Smith, E. (2022) Landmarks in the Australian apprenticeship and traineeship system. Online, National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER). https://www.voced.edu.au/vet-knowledge-bank-landmark-documents-apprenticeships-and-traineeships-historical-overviewSmith, E. (2021). The expansion and contraction of the apprenticeship system in Australia, 1985-2020. Journal of Vocational Education and Training.73:2, 336-365 https://doi.org/10.1080/13636820.2021.1894218Contact Claire: Connect with me on LinkedIn: Claire Field Follow me on Bluesky: @clairefield.bsky.social Check out the news pages on my website: clairefield.com.au Email me at: [email protected] The ‘What now? What next?’ podcast recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as Australia’s traditional custodians. In the spirit of reconciliation we are proud to recommend John Briggs Consulting as a leader in Reconciliation and Indigenous engagement. To find out more go to www.johnbriggs.net.au
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25:06
Claire's summary of submissions to the University Governance inquiry - who argued for what?
In this episode Claire gives a summary of the submissions to the Senate Committee's inquiry into the Quality of governance at Australian higher education providers.During the episode Claire references her interview in episode 123 with NTEU representatives Emily Foley and Tony Williams about their experiences working as casual academics in Australian universities.The submissions to the Senate Committee's inquiry can all be read and downloaded from the inquiry webpage: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Education_and_Employment/UniversityGovernance/SubmissionsThe SuperFriend data mentioned in the episode is at: https://www.superfriend.com.au/research/workplace-mental-health-statisticsAnd Claire forgot to include the submission number for Prof. Gavin Nicholson's submission - it's number 21.Contact Claire: Connect with me on LinkedIn: Claire Field Follow me on Bluesky: @clairefield.bsky.social Check out the news pages on my website: clairefield.com.au Email me at: [email protected] The ‘What now? What next?’ podcast recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as Australia’s traditional custodians. In the spirit of reconciliation we are proud to recommend John Briggs Consulting as a leader in Reconciliation and Indigenous engagement. To find out more go to www.johnbriggs.net.au
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1:34:10
Do governments "overlook" the English language sector? NEAS Australia's Adam Kilburn shares his thoughts
In this episode Claire speaks with Adam Kilburn, CEO of NEAS Australia.They discuss:NEAS' 2025 conference: https://neas.org.au/conference-25/The ASEAN Australia Education Dialogue: https://www.aseanaustraliadialogue.com/aaed-2024 Claire's initial analysis of the Coalition's proposed international student caps: https://clairefield.com.au/unpacking-the-coalitions-plans-for-international-education/Further analysis by Claire of the proposed caps - in The Koala News: https://thekoalanews.com/getting-the-message-right-on-the-coalitions-caps/Contact Claire: Connect with me on LinkedIn: Claire Field Follow me on Bluesky: @clairefield.bsky.social Check out the news pages on my website: clairefield.com.au Email me at: [email protected] The ‘What now? What next?’ podcast recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as Australia’s traditional custodians. In the spirit of reconciliation we are proud to recommend John Briggs Consulting as a leader in Reconciliation and Indigenous engagement. To find out more go to www.johnbriggs.net.au
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27:22
"Lifting the bonnet on jobs and skills" - insights from Megan Lilly and Trevor Gauld
In this episode of the podcast Claire is joined by Jobs and Skills Australia's Deputy Commissioners, Trevor Gauld and Megan Lilly.There are references throughout their conversation to a number of JSA reports and data available on the JSA website. If you don't already visit the site regularly then these links may be useful to you:Monthly labour market data at the regional level: https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/data/employment-region-dashboards-and-profilesGenAI Capacity Study (and opportunity to engage in current consultations): https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/studies/generative-artificial-intelligence-capacity-studyTertiary Harmonisation: https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/publications/opportunity-and-productivity-towards-tertiary-harmonisation-roadmapClean Energy Capacity Study: https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/research/studies/clean-energy-capacity-studyFirst Nations People Workforce Analysis: https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/studies/first-nations-people-workforce-analysisFoundation Skills Study: https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/studies/foundation-skills-study Gender Economic Equality Study: https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/research/studies/gender-economic-equality-studyInternational Students Pathways and Outcomes Study: https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/international-students-pathways-and-outcomes-studyVET Workforce Study: https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/studies/vet-workforce-studyContact Claire: Connect with me on LinkedIn: Claire Field Follow me on Bluesky: @clairefield.bsky.social Check out the news pages on my website: clairefield.com.au Email me at: [email protected] The ‘What now? What next?’ podcast recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as Australia’s traditional custodians. In the spirit of reconciliation we are proud to recommend John Briggs Consulting as a leader in Reconciliation and Indigenous engagement. To find out more go to www.johnbriggs.net.au
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35:53
RMIT's Mish Eastman - cross-sector innovation that delivers
In this episode of the podcast, Claire is joined by RMIT University's Deputy Vice Chancellor Vocational Education and Vice President, Mish Eastman. Mish explains how the university's College of Vocational Education is partnering with Australian and international businesses and governments to deliver impact for learners.During the episode Mish references:RMIT's new 'Earn and Learn' model: https://www.rmit.edu.au/partner/recruit-students-and-graduates/earn-and-learnThe new model was written up by the Australian Financial Review: https://www.afr.com/work-and-careers/careers/how-this-engineering-student-will-graduate-debt-free-from-rmit-20250320-p5ll3tAnd RMIT's cyber safety/resilience programs in Indonesia are detailed here: https://www.rmit.edu.au/news/all-news/2025/feb/indonesia-cyber-securityContact Claire: Connect with me on LinkedIn: Claire Field Follow me on Bluesky: @clairefield.bsky.social Check out the news pages on my website: clairefield.com.au Email me at: [email protected] The ‘What now? What next?’ podcast recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as Australia’s traditional custodians. In the spirit of reconciliation we are proud to recommend John Briggs Consulting as a leader in Reconciliation and Indigenous engagement. To find out more go to www.johnbriggs.net.au
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36:08