TORRENS University Australia – part of the global Laureate group of universities – is seeing success from its revitalisation of certain course areas that are showing strong jobs growth.

In mid-2017, Torrens University Australia revealed innovative study programs in Sports Management, Health, Design and Hospitality.

The programs were developed to prepare students for jobs in industries which are expected to perform well in the years to come, according to the university’s extensive research.

“At a time when young people are making plans for their professional futures, it’s critical they analyse potential study programs that will lead to genuine, relevant employment opportunities upon graduation,” Torrens University Australia vice chancellor Justin Beilby said. 

“All of the programs offered by Torrens University Australia have been meticulously researched to ensure there is strong evidence indicating there will likely be demand for professionals in the industry and its various occupations for many years to come.

Professor Beilby said Sports Management, Health, Design and Hospitality were industry sectors set to enjoy employment growth in coming years – “which is the starting point from which all Torrens programs are developed”.

HEALTH

Covering a broad spectrum ranging from health and welfare services to caring for the ageing and disabled, Professor Beilby suggested there would be plenty of scope for employment in health-related professions in the years to come.

“Qualified students will be able to contribute to preventing and controlling disease, develop sensitive policies to care for and accommodate our ageing population and those with disabilities,” he said.

Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics underlines this trend, with the healthcare sector called out as a key driver of jobs growth, currently employing 1.6 million Australians – or 14 percent of the national workforce. The ABS noted there were 366,000 more jobs in Australia’s healthcare sector today than back in 2010, with analysts forecasting an additional 243,000 jobs will be added over the next few years on the back of Australia’s ageing population and the rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Prof. Beilby said government data predicted health and welfare services professionals would number 23,000 by 2020, up from 19,000 last year. IBISWorld research anticipated 4.4 percent annual growth in the aged care services industry in the five years to 2022, adding more than 20,000 jobs and estimating an exceptional 10.1 percent annual growth for the retirement village sector.

Employment in the personal welfare services field, incorporating disability services, was tipped to grow from 178,000 in 2017 to more than 200,000 by mid-2022.

“With compelling data demonstrating the potential of these growth industries for our graduates, some fuelled partly by growth in the workforce funded by the National Disability Insurance Scheme and an ageing population, it’s clear demand for specialised professionals in these areas will remain high for the foreseeable future,” Prof. Beilbysaid.

“At Torrens we’ve developed several targeted programs to equip students to address pressing issues in each of these fields.

“Our Bachelor of Applied Public Health focuses upon developing and managing public health policy and preventing and controlling disease – essential skills for those interested in working in public health administration, NGOs, private health care providers and overseas aid organisations; while our Bachelor of Human Services (Ageing) and Bachelor of Human Services (Disability) aim to meet the needs of leaders, planners and practitioners in the human services community keen to tackle the challenges of caring for an ageing population and improving the experience of those with a disability,” Prof. Beilby said. 

Torrens University Australia also recently established the Torrens Centre of Positive Ageing and Wellbeing. The centre aims to be a leader in the field of positive ageing by addressing the challenges and opportunities of an ageing population and by collaborating more closely with aged care communities and service providers.

The centre will conduct its own research and aims to improve social justice and wellbeing, including improved health outcomes, stringent governance and quality controls, economic prosperity and international development.

For those already working in the industry, Torrens offers postgraduate programs in Public Health and Human Services Management.

Torrens University Australia is a member of the peak national organisation representing public health in universities, the Council of Academic Public Health Institutions Australia (CAPHIA). In addition to this, the pioneering Public Health Information Development Unit (PHIDU), which collates and graphically represents health and other lifestyle data, also calls Torrens home. This means students have access to leading data to use freely in research, study, planning, teaching, policy-making, communications and conversation.

SPORTS MANAGEMENT

Sports administrative services will enjoy annual jobs growth of 4.9 percent in 2019-20, according to business analysts IBISWorld, with roles ranging from negotiating broadcast rights and brokering sponsorship deals to managing member services and becoming involved with team management.

Similarly, the Department of Employment foresees strong sports-related growth with the number of people working in the amusement, fitness and sports centre management category tipped to double to 18,000 between 2012 and 2020.

“The Bachelor of Business-Sports Management at Torrens University Australia teaches students to identify business opportunities for sports organisations, analyse the role of professional sport in society, consider sports’ impact on developing community, and examine the impact of governing bodies on sports regulation,” Prof. Beilby said. 

“Preparing them for careers in professional sports team management, sports event marketing and management or planning and running high-level sporting facilities.”

For those already working in the industry, Torrens offers a MBA in Sports Administration in partnership with Real Madrid Graduate School – a program that has seen strong uptake from a broad range of existing professionals since it was launched in July 2015.

HOSPITALITY

ABS data showed accommodation and hospitality as two of the industries enjoying the fastest rate of jobs growth in 2017. Each segment added 40,000 jobs in the year to May 2017.

Statistics from the Department of Employment indicate excellent prospects for hotel, conference and event management professionals, with hotel managers already enjoying 16.5 percent employment growth in the five years to 2015, while employment numbers in the conference and event management field are predicted to reach 25,400 by 2020, up from 13,500 in 2005.

The luxury hotel and serviced apartment sectors have also recorded solid annualised growth on the back of strong demand from foreign tourists, especially Chinese visitors.

“Torrens University Australia has developed a range of hospitality-related programs to target skills gaps in the sector, including the Bachelor of Business (International Event Management) and Bachelor of Business (International Hotel and Resort Management) at the Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School (BMIHMS), and the Bachelor of Business (Event Management) at APM College of Business and Communication,” Prof. Beilby said.

“From hotel and resort managers to guest services professionals, event coordinators and conference managers, our hospitality programs offer extensive, and often paid, professional work placements to help our graduates secure those sought-after jobs as soon as they complete their studies – if not before,” Prof. Beilby said.

“For those already working in the industry, Torrens offers postgraduate programs in International Hotel Management and Global Business Management. The Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School at Torrens University Australia has an enviable reputation in the hospitality industry.

“Particularly, the school’s industry partnerships lead the field, counting Accor, Four Seasons and Sofitel among its partners,” he said.

“In 2016  the careers team sourced over 750 industry placements for students in Australia and around the world, in part contributing to the school’s superb employability record: 70 percent of BMIHMS students obtain jobs prior to graduation and 95 percent within three months of graduation.

DESIGN

Technology-related design fields are likely to enjoy sustained jobs – and revenue – growth in coming years as industry continues to seek fresh ways to harness technology, “especially the mobile variety” Prof. Beilby said.

According to IBISWorld data, software publishers will enjoy eight percent annual revenue growth over the next five years, computer system design services will grow by 3.9 percent per year, while smartphone app developers will experience accelerated growth of 10.6 percent in the years to 2022.

“Our Bachelor of Software Engineering (Game Programming) and Bachelor of Creative Technologies (Game Art) programs at Media Design School at Torrens University Australia have been specially developed to equip student with the skills they need to become specialist software engineers and game developers across platforms including online, mobile and console environments,” Prof. Beilby said.

“We’ve partnered with Sony Computer Entertainment Europe’s PlayStation First Academic Development Program to enable program students to develop games for the iconic PlayStation, and to collaborate with fellow programmers and game artists to take commercially viable game concepts from the drawing board through to live prototype stage, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to crafting programs based around hands-on learning and developing students with the real-world skills employers seek – before they graduate.”

For those already working in the industry, Torrens offers postgraduate programs in Design, and UX and Web Design. The Bachelor of Software Engineering (Game Programming) and Bachelor of Creative Technologies (Game Art) programs at Media Design School at Torrens University Australia have been developed in conjunction with New Zealand’s most awarded provider of digital and creative technology programs of study.

Media Design School gained additional international recognition in 2016 when the school was ranked by The Rookies as the world’s top tertiary provider for both graphic design and photography by a panel of internationally renowned judges, beating 479 other schools from 77 countries for top honours.

Torrens University’s campuses are in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane.

Each location is led by a team of research- and career-oriented academic staff who, combined with a carefully selected group of global industry partners, help students to bridge the gap between study and work, Prof. Beilby said.

Torrens University Australia is part of the global Laureate International Universities network, with more than a million students at 70 institutions in 25 countries.

www.torrens.edu.au

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NEWS CORP Australia and cloud accounting software group Xero, have produced a six-part podcast series – unearthing and discussing the biggest pain points faced today by Australia’s 2.1 million small-to-medium businesses (SMEs) – to help them find pathways to success.

With the survival rates of small businesses reported as being just two in three, News Corp and Xero decided to partner together to improve these statistics.

This is the first time podcast content is being driven by the News Corp Australia umbrella brand, supported by all metro mastheads, The Australian, news.com.au and News Xtend.

Hosted by Lauren Moloney of News Corp’s SME digital marketing solutions division, News Xtend, the Mentor Next Door podcast series, addresses the key challenges in running a small business.  

Ms Moloney said small businesses faced common challenges: struggling to find the time to work on, not in the business; managing cash flow; and how to attract and retain customers.

“We decided to partner with Xero to deliver content that would address key pressure points from experienced business owners,” Ms Moloney said.

“I’ve been working one-on-one with small business owners for years helping them build their brands and reach their goals with creative digital marketing solutions and I know how important it is for small businesses to continue learning and evolving.

“Together with Xero, we saw a gap in the market to provide valuable business tips by utilising mentor and mentee talent through the medium of podcasts.

“Now, with an incredible line-up of real, everyday people matched as mentors and mentees, audiences will hear invaluable insights and expertise, helping them overcome the most common pain points, whether it’s managing cash flow and attracting more customers, or getting on top of your business metrics,” Ms Moloney said.

“Mentor Next Door is designed to feel like a private mentoring session, listening to some of the industry’s top minds, sharing authentic stories and insights about how to overcome obstacles, avoid mistakes, and stay on the path to success.”

In her role at News Xtend, Ms Moloney is well known within the small business sector, having strong product, digital marketing and sales knowledge, and finding creative solutions to build brands and grow businesses.

“At News Corp, we are committed to providing an agile, innovative and market-leading product suite for SMEs to achieve their business goals through News Xtend digital marketing solutions.”

Small business director of Xero Australia, Penny Elmslie said, “Partnering with News Corp Australia is an incredible opportunity for us to facilitate conversation about small business pain points and success stories, so that small business owners can learn and continue to grow.

“We do more than just provide beautiful accounting software. We have built a platform that aims to connect, inspire, encourage and support the business community to overcome obstacles, solve problems, kick-start businesses, and reach their full potential. And for the mentors and mentees involved in the podcasts, it’s a great opportunity to gain wide exposure through the News Corp network.”

The News Corp Australia and Xero podcast series is an extension of a wider Xero marketing campaign, hoping to create a deeper level of engagement with small business owners.

The series includes six podcasts, supported by print and digital marketing, a content marketing campaign for News Corp and Xero’s small business customers, social media and public relations campaign.

Supporting the podcasts are stories written by News Corp’s network of small business experts.

“We have the audience reach and the access to business writers, and Xero have the tools to help small businesses succeed. It’s a great partnership,” Ms Moloney said.

The first podcast – ‘Growing your Pie’ – features mentor Taryn Williams, CEO and founder of theright.fit and WINK Models, sharing her recipes for success with mentee Brooke Rudzis of Sunday Minx.

Ms Williams talks about reaching new markets, growing your customer base, and keeping them happy so they’ll come back for more.

Episode two features mentor Alexandra Tselios, commentator, writer, keynote speaker, board director and founder and CEO of The Big Smoke discussing ‘Mitigating Financial Risk’ with mentee Courtney Sanders, co-founder of Well Made Clothes. Ms Tselios shares some of her early mistakes and provides practical advice on how to get on top of the accounts and finances, allowing more time to look at the bigger picture.

Other episodes in the subscription service focus on time management, smartphones and business, managing cash flow and knowing how business is performing.

www.newsxtend.com.au/mentornextdoor

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QUEENSLAND’s resources sector is laying claim to powering jobs growth across the state, using Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data showing an increase of close to 10,000 jobs in the February quarter as evidence.

Queensland Resources Council (QRC) chief executive Ian Macfarlane said the number of jobs created in just one quarter was more than the number of athletes competing at the Commonwealth Games. 

“Over the coming days around 6,600 athletes from around the world will settle into the official Games village for two weeks. However, 9,095 resources sector jobs have been created which have the potential to be lifetime careers,” Mr Macfarlane said.

Queensland Minister for Employment, Shannon Fentiman said the latest ABS figures "show we are right on track with our commitment to more jobs for Queensland".

“This is fantastic news for Queensland and it’s pleasing to see the fast growing resource sector is providing more jobs for the regions," Ms Fentiman said.

“Since the Palaszczuk Government was elected we have worked with business and industry to create more than 160,300 new jobs in Queensland.”

QRC's Mr Macfarlane said 'on the podium for jobs growth' was "gold for resources, up 16 percent, silver for manufacturing with 14 percent and bronze for wholesale trade rising 8 percent.

“Most resources sector careers are highly paid and highly skilled and this data again demonstrates the sectors regional reach, with more than 85 percent of the jobs outside south-east Queensland,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“Resources belong to all Queenslanders and these new jobs lift our common wealth.”

The ABS quarterly labour force data showed:

• Exploration and mining support services jobs up 63 percent
• Coal jobs up 23 percent
• Metal jobs fell 15 percent but still up 98 percent over the 12 months.
• Oil and gas jobs rose 3 percent and up 61 percent over the 12 months.

Employment growth in the sector is leading to greater diversity. Indigenous employment in the Queensland resources sector has outstripped growth across the total resources sector workforce, doubling in 10years, the ABS figures showed.

“In 2006, Indigenous people comprised 3 percent of the State’s workforce in resources, whereas in 2016, it had grown to 4 percent. Queensland’s Indigenous population is 4 percent which places the resources sector as one of the few industries with a genuine representation.” Mr Macfarlane said.

The sector now provides one in every $6 in the Queensland economy, sustains one in eight Queensland jobs, and supports more than 16,400 businesses across the State – with almost 7000 businesses in the Greater Brisbane region – all from 0.1 percent of Queensland’s land mass, acco5rding to the QRC.

Resources jobs in Queensland this financial year include:

• New coal leases for Stanmore Coal – 210 jobs
• Santos to invest $900m in gas developments – 400 construction jobs
• New Century Resources and Santos gas supply deal – 240 jobs
• BMA apprentices start work in central Queensland – 40 jobs
• Hastings Deering apprentices – 48 jobs
• Rio Tinto’s Indigenous workforce across Cape York – reaches 574 jobs
• Batchfire Callide – 450 jobs
• Metallica Minerals Bauxite Project – 26 jobs
• Glencore’s Lady Loretta restart – 250 jobs
• Glencore Copper – 200 jobs
• Arrow and Shell’s QCLNG sales agreement – 1000 jobs
• Senex wins petroleum tender – 150 jobs.

www.qrc.org.au

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