Building stronger economies in regional New South Wales: Country Universities Centres supporting a pipeline for local workforce.

The Country Universities Centres (CUCs) play a vital role in tertiary education, supporting the local workforce supply for Regional NSW.

A recent report by Regional Australian Institute (RAI) acknowledges the contributions of CUCs in creating local workforce pipelines into regions across NSW, highlighting the impact of CUC students. The vast majority studying courses that will equip them to work in the sectors where demand for employees is high and projected to grow further.

The report recommends that the NSW Government continue its partnership with CUC as an essential and effective strategy to build and maintain the workforce it needs to deliver services in regional NSW.

Local CUC Centre Manager Kinne Ring commented, “this is an outstanding outcome, and demonstrates students connection to this community is made stronger through living, studying and enjoying their life here. The CUC Macleay Valley is integral in building this connection.”.

CUC Macleay Valley student, Samantha Campbell acknowledged the support of CUC, allowing them to remain and work in the Macleay Valley community.

“Recently I had been offered a new graduate position locally at Kempsey hospital which I am beyond excited about, this is finally going to let me put all the years of practice into play. One thing I’m really happy for is that I can practice locally and help care and improve the health of my fellow community and really give back to those who have supported me over the years”, she said.

The CUC Macleay Valley students are studying in areas expected to contribute to the State Government workforce. For 2022 there are 7 out of 8 of graduates remaining and employed in the local community including 5 Nursing and 2 teaching with 1 paramedicine student expected to move.

Currently, the 11 CUCs in regional NSW support more than 1,000 students enrolled in tertiary studies. These students represent the future workforce of the Macleay Valley community, who can deliver services locally where there is high (and growing) demand. State governments are counted among the employers in intense competition to meet these regional staffing needs.

The full report available here: RAI report into CUC student pipeline

For media contact:
Kinne Ring | CUC Macleay Valley | kinne.ring@cucmacleayvalley.edu.au | 0434 587 497