Victorian Government Urged to Back Local Solutions to Workforce Pressures

The Country Universities Centre (CUC) has called on the Victorian Government to support community-led study hubs as part of its strategy to grow the regional workforce and strengthen student pathways into high-demand industries such as health, education and community services. 

In its submission to the Inquiry into Student Pathways to In-Demand Industries, the CUC outlined how its network of locally governed Centres is helping more regional Victorians access tertiary education and secure local employment in critical fields facing skills shortages. 

CUC CEO, Chris Ronan, said part of the solution the Inquiry is seeking already exists in regional communities. 

“Since 2021, 74% of graduating CUC students in regional Victoria have transitioned into the in-demand fields of health, education, and community services – filling vital roles in their communities, and nearly half of current students intend to work in the Victorian public sector. 

“Communities across Victoria are already showing what’s possible when locals are supported in their journey to upskill through their local CUC, and many more are ready to establish their own. The Victorian Government has an opportunity to build on this success,” he said. 

The CUC model is designed to support regional people to study any higher education pathway. Each Centre provides a welcoming, accessible environment that allows students to study flexibly while managing work, family, or caring responsibilities.  

Chair of CUC Ovens Murray, Jacqui Bramwell, said the model offers a sustainable way to grow local talent. 

“At CUC Ovens Murray, 58% of students utilising our Centres in Wangaratta, Mansfield and Corryong are studying in the in-demand fields of health, education and community services. These students live locally, and many are hosted for Work Integrated Learning (WIL) placements by local employers in the public sector, such as the Department of Education. 

“This offers a clear pathway into employment in in-demand roles, offering a sustainable way to ‘grow our own’ professional workforce, especially in the areas of skill shortage where jobs are hard to fill,” she said. 

Several Centres in Victoria are co-located with TAFEs, creating a natural bridge between vocational and university education. These partnerships offer flexible, local pathways for people to upskill or reskill while helping to align regional training with workforce needs. 

CUC Centres also deliver tailored outreach programs that build aspiration and connect students with career opportunities from an early age. 

The submission calls for a coordinated, statewide approach to support and expand the CUC model in line with community demand. Nine additional Victorian communities have expressed interest in establishing a Centre, and several missed out in the latest round of Commonwealth funding. 

The CUC model is already backed by the NSW, Queensland and Australian Governments to help regional communities address local workforce challenges. The CUC has invited further engagement with the Victorian Government and would welcome the opportunity to appear before the committee. 

 About the Country Universities Centre

The CUC is a network of 28 community-led Centres across Queensland, New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria and Norfolk Island. Each CUC provides face-to-face academic and wellbeing support from local staff, as well as high-quality study facilities, high-speed internet, and a strong local learning community. Every Centre is owned and operated by a local skills-based volunteer board, ensuring a tailored approach that meets the unique needs of each community.  

The CUC makes tertiary education accessible and achievable for students who may otherwise face significant challenges in pursuing university and vocational education. 

Media Enquiries

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