Council today endorsed its Education and Training Industry Sector Plan 2018-2023, which supports the delivery of Council’s Economic Development Framework 2014-2041(EDF).
With the education and training industry being Redlands Coast’s third largest employer, contributing 4.5 per cent of the Coast’s economic output, the Education and Training Industry Sector Plan focuses on three areas:
- Fostering collaboration and strategic partnerships
- Growing higher education and alternative learning pathways and supporting emerging industries
- Growing international education
Mayor Karen Williams said the plan recognised the strength of the education and training industry sector in the Redlands Coast economy and the potential for further growth, with detailed actions to realise the economic benefits.
She said strategies and recommendations included growing international education and a university sector, establishing a centre of excellence in education for the ageing, developing a health and education precinct, and engaging the community in education and life-long learning.
“Redlands Coast is well placed to benefit from the education and training industry sector,” she said.
“We have an abundance of features that would be attractive to international students, including a beautiful, natural environment and access to Aboriginal culture, and we have significant goodwill from commercial and government organisations in growing international education.
“As our population grows and also ages, ensuring we have education and training facilities here will help retain our students as their needs expand.
“It will also meet the education needs of older people, the training needs for the workforce caring for a rapidly ageing population, and increase demand from outside the Coast.
“Our ageing population also offers significant opportunity to be a national leader in the provision of education and training services for older populations, particularly active and involved ageing in which life-long learning is embraced.”
Chair of the Redlands Economic Development Advisory Board Sam Kennedy said that the economic development framework, endorsed by Council in 2015, provided clear direction for business and economic growth and development on Redlands Coast.
“The EDF focuses on the key industry sectors of health care and social assistance, education and training, tourism, manufacturing, construction, retail trade, high value-add services and rural enterprises,” Ms Kennedy said.
Through the EDF, Council is committed to local economic growth, local employment opportunities, and ensuring the Redlands Coast community benefits from any improved local economic capacity.