Free catch-up courses and fast-tracked degrees in Universities Accord

‘Modular, stackable, transferable qualifications’’ will lead to Lego-like learning in a training revolution recommended by the Universities Accord.

The Universities Accord sets out a Lego-like approach to learning.

Free catch-up courses for Australians struggling to get into university, and fast-tracked degrees for students with work skills, are recommended in Universities Accord reforms hailed by business groups on Sunday.

Universities would be forced to compensate for a failing schooling system, by providing free “preparatory courses’’ to get struggling students up to speed with the knowledge and study skills required to start a degree.

“Currently, Australia’s higher education system does not do well at supporting some groups of students to succeed at university,’’ the accord report states.

The accord sets out a Lego-like approach to learning, through a “comprehensive system of modular, stackable and transferable qualifications’’. Workers would build bespoke qualifications by stacking together short “micro-qualifications’’ from TAFE, university or on-the-job training.

Students would be able to borrow from the federal government to pay for short university courses through the existing Higher Education Loan Program. University degrees would be blended with vocational training certificates and diplomas through TAFE, resulting in “degree apprenticeships’’ that mix formal study with paid on-the-job training.

“Australia should develop new and more flexible and efficient ways for individuals to attain the skills they need across their working life,’’ the report states.

“This would require more modular, stackable and transferable qualifications that address Australia’s emerging skill needs.

“This should include microcredentials that are funded, accredited and recognised by the ... government, and new combinations of earning and learning, such as degree apprenticeships.’’

Employer groups hailed the accord’s plan for a National Skills Passport, that would list a worker’s qualifications, including school results, short vocational courses, apprenticeships, degrees or microcredentials.

“The strong emphasis on work-integrated learning and placements is welcome, as is the focus on lifelong learning with upskilling and reskilling,’’ Business Council of Australia chief executive Brad Black said.

The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry) cheered the plan to integrate vocational training with university education. “Recognising the importance of work-integrated learning and the emphasis on lifelong learning is welcome, particularly ... recognition of prior learning,’’ ACCI chief executive Andrew McKellar said.

Trade and university qualifications would be blended under Universities Accord reforms.

The accord calls for free bridging courses to prepare school leavers or workers who failed to qualify for a university or TAFE course. Universities must cater to “more students who are less prepared for higher education’’.

Free bridging courses – lasting a few weeks or a year – would help struggling students “qualify for higher education without having to return to school’’.

Poor students, and those living outside capital cities, were less likely to study the high-level academic subjects at school, the report found, so were missing out on degrees in areas of skills shortage, such as engineering and medicine.

Federal Education Minister Jason Clare too many students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, were failing to even finish high school.

Education Minister Jason Clare at Western Sydney Universities new innovative Study Hub in Fairfield to release the Universities Accord Final Report. Picture: James Dowling/The Australian

“One in three kids from poor families fall behind the minimum standard we expect in primary school (in literacy and numeracy) and only one in five of those kids catch up by the time they’re in high school,’’ he said.

“We’ve got to fix that ... I want to make sure that we fund our public schools properly.’’