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

In this episode Claire is joined by QUT's Dr Natasha Arthars to discuss her recent research on VET in Schools enrolments and the questions that arise for students labour market prospects and future study pathways.  Dr Arthar's research paper can be accessed at: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1360080X.2025.2478962 [https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1360080X.2025.2478962] The OECD research Claire mentions on high school students' career aspirations is available at: https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/the-state-of-global-teenage-career-preparation_d5f8e3f2-en/full-report.html [https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/the-state-of-global-teenage-career-preparation_d5f8e3f2-en/full-report.html] And the SaCSA (Services and Creative Skills Australia) report on their 'Creative Workforce Scoping Study' is available at: https://sacsa.org.au/our-projects/creative-workforce-scoping-study/ [https://sacsa.org.au/our-projects/creative-workforce-scoping-study/] Contact Claire: * Connect with me on LinkedIn: Claire Field [https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-field-and-associates/] * Follow me on Bluesky: @clairefield.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/clairefield.bsky.social] * Check out the news pages on my website: clairefield.com.au [https://clairefield.com.au] * Email me at: admin@clairefield.com.au 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 [http://www.johnbriggs.net.au/]

In this episode Claire unpacks some of the changes happening in the tertiary sector as both regulators (ASQA and TEQSA) start thinking about how AI is changing the world of work and what that means for what providers teach. Claire references the following reports, frameworks and research in the episode: * NSW Audit Office (2025) Universities 2024 https://www.audit.nsw.gov.au/our-work/reports/universities-2024 [https://www.audit.nsw.gov.au/our-work/reports/universities-2024] * TEQSA GenAI toolkit: https://www.teqsa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-11/Gen-AI-strategies-emerging-practice-toolkit.pdf [https://www.teqsa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-11/Gen-AI-strategies-emerging-practice-toolkit.pdf] * Claire's latest public commentary on GenAI and TEQSA and ASQA's recent directions to providers: https://clairefield.com.au/australias-tertiary-education-sector-takes-a-significant-step-into-the-future-on-genai/ [https://clairefield.com.au/australias-tertiary-education-sector-takes-a-significant-step-into-the-future-on-genai/] * Upcoming TEQSA webinar on GenAI: https://www.teqsa.gov.au/about-us/news-and-events/latest-news/gen-ai-and-tomorrows-professionals-upcoming-webinar [https://www.teqsa.gov.au/about-us/news-and-events/latest-news/gen-ai-and-tomorrows-professionals-upcoming-webinar] * New practices in GenAI in the UAE: https://clairefield.com.au/what_australian_higher_education_should_be_learning/ [https://clairefield.com.au/what_australian_higher_education_should_be_learning/] * Dr Selena Chan (2025) Artificial Intelligence in VET: Understanding Learner and Teacher Perspectives on the Integration of Generative AI through Participatory Action Research  https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-981-96-6001-8 [https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-981-96-6001-8] * Dr Mark Bassett The S.E.C.U.R.E. GenAI Use Framework for Staff https://secureframework.ai/ [https://secureframework.ai/] Contact Claire: * Connect with me on LinkedIn: Claire Field [https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-field-and-associates/] * Follow me on Bluesky: @clairefield.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/clairefield.bsky.social] * Check out the news pages on my website: clairefield.com.au [https://clairefield.com.au] * Email me at: admin@clairefield.com.au 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 [http://www.johnbriggs.net.au/]

In this episode of the podcast Claire is joined by the Vice Chancellor of Charles Sturt University, Prof. Renée Leon to discuss why funding for universities, and not institutional governance, is the biggest issue facing the sector. Prof. Leon also points out the substantial challenges facing regional universities and their students - who are often first-in-family, low SES, mature age and First Nations students needing much greater support to succeed.  Prof. Leon also shares why she's so pleased Minister Clare has been returned to the Education portfolio, to finish what he started, and highlights how CSU is engaging with AI to ensure students are not left behind. A copy of the Charles Sturt University submission to the Senate Committee into higher education governance is available to download [https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Education_and_Employment/UniversityGovernance/Submissions] (submission no. 52). The AI framework developed by Charles Sturt University is at: https://secureframework.ai/ [https://secureframework.ai/] And Claire's notes from the QS Middle East Higher Education Summit (which she mentions briefly in the introduction to the episode) are at: https://clairefield.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/April-2025-Reflections-on-QS-Higher-Ed-Middle-East-Summit.pdf [https://clairefield.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/April-2025-Reflections-on-QS-Higher-Ed-Middle-East-Summit.pdf] Contact Claire: * Connect with me on LinkedIn: Claire Field [https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-field-and-associates/] * Follow me on Bluesky: @clairefield.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/clairefield.bsky.social] * Check out the news pages on my website: clairefield.com.au [https://clairefield.com.au] * Email me at: admin@clairefield.com.au 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 [http://www.johnbriggs.net.au/]

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 [https://www.dewr.gov.au/australian-apprenticeships/strategic-review-australian-apprenticeship-incentive-system] and the government's interim response to the review [https://www.pm.gov.au/media/building-australias-future-investing-our-apprentices]. Erica has appeared on the podcast previously (episode 68 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/345782/episodes/10742560]) 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/10.1080/02692171.2024.2336546 [https://doi.org/10.1080/02692171.2024.2336546] * Smith, 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-overview [https://www.voced.edu.au/vet-knowledge-bank-landmark-documents-apprenticeships-and-traineeships-historical-overview] * Smith, 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/10.1080/13636820.2021.1894218 [https://doi.org/10.1080/13636820.2021.1894218] Contact Claire: * Connect with me on LinkedIn: Claire Field [https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-field-and-associates/] * Follow me on Bluesky: @clairefield.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/clairefield.bsky.social] * Check out the news pages on my website: clairefield.com.au [https://clairefield.com.au] * Email me at: admin@clairefield.com.au 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 [http://www.johnbriggs.net.au/]

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/Submissions [https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Education_and_Employment/UniversityGovernance/Submissions] The SuperFriend data mentioned in the episode is at: https://www.superfriend.com.au/research/workplace-mental-health-statistics [https://www.superfriend.com.au/research/workplace-mental-health-statistics] And 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 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-field-and-associates/] * Follow me on Bluesky: @clairefield.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/clairefield.bsky.social] * Check out the news pages on my website: clairefield.com.au [https://clairefield.com.au] * Email me at: admin@clairefield.com.au 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 [http://www.johnbriggs.net.au/]