CUC Boosts Regional Workforce in NSW, Says UNSW Report

The Country Universities Centre (CUC) is making a significant impact on the regional NSW workforce, as highlighted in the recently released independent UNSW Evaluation Report, commissioned by the NSW Government. The report underscores the vital role CUCs play in expanding access to higher education in regional, rural, and remote NSW. 

With 11 centres across 13 locations in NSW, CUCs are community-driven, not-for-profit organisations dedicated to supporting local students in accessing higher education. These centres provide essential study spaces, support, and celebrate academic achievements, all tailored to meet local community needs. 

The evaluation reveals that CUCs are strengthening the regional workforce by producing graduates in critical fields like Nursing, Education, and Social Work. Since 2019, 560 students in NSW have graduated with the support of a CUC, with 89% staying in their local communities to work in essential sectors such as NSW Health and the Department of Education. 

The report recommends continued government funding, noting that 55% of CUC graduates are employed by NSW Government agencies. The CUC model is proving successful in retaining talent within regional areas, creating a pipeline of local graduates who contribute to regional development. 

CUC alumna Samantha “Sammy” Campbell, attested to the flexible support she received in her studies at the CUC Macleay Valley in Kempsey on the Mid North Coast of NSW.   

“I worked 25 hours a week on top of being a full-time student to support myself when I moved out of home, so I used the Centre at all different times. Whether I needed a quiet space with good internet, or a chat with staff, I never felt alone in my studies”.   

Sammy graduated at the end of 2022 from Southern Cross University with a Bachelor of Nursing and now works for NSW Health at Kempsey District Hospital as a fulltime Registered Nurse in the Emergency Ward after 12 months of rotation in their New Grad program.    

“I feel so proud that I have gone from being disengaged at school, to smashing uni, and now I am working fulltime in a job that I absolutely love and have been able to make a life here in Kempsey”, said Sammy reflecting on her journey post school. “I never thought I’d have such a rewarding job in my own town that I look forward to turning up each day”. 

The report concludes that the NSW Government’s investment in CUCs not only enhances the local workforce but also boosts lifetime earnings, reduces debt, and supports regional populations by producing locally based professional graduates. The CUC Network is playing a crucial role in making regional NSW a vibrant and viable place to live, offering the same opportunities as metropolitan areas. 

Photo by Janayah Burnett. Pictured: Samantha Campbell at CUC Macleay Valley 

Media Enquiries

Chris Ronan, CEO
Phone: 0412 573 754
Email: chris.ronan@cuc.edu.au