Building resilience in our regional communities through education

For over four decades, VERTO has been creating better outcomes for our regions from our humble beginning as a community college in the NSW Central West. And although we have a large national footprint today, we’re still focused on how education and employment can improve lives and strengthen communities. So today, I want to return to those roots and talk about something close to my heart.?

Regional Australia is as diverse as it is terrific. However, one thing most regions share is tight-knit communities that pull together in good times and bad. It’s one of the things I love most about being based in the NSW Central West.

Unfortunately, many of our regions also share some challenges, particularly when it comes to access to education. A decade ago, we were staring down declining populations in many regions. Although many have recovered with people realising the joys of regional living in the remote work era, infrastructure and access haven’t kept pace with our cities.?

Education gaps persist

Inequality in our regions is having a particularly notable impact on education. To quote this ABC Radio National piece from 2024, ‘The biggest boost to regional economies won't come from investing in infrastructure projects or from higher grain prices – it will come from closing the education gap between rural and regional schools compared to schools in the big cities.’

The article also points out that this gap is costing the economy over $55 billion, so it’s an issue impacting every Australian.?

Education transforms communities

Here in the Central West, we have excellent schools doing outstanding, innovative work, such as Canobolas Rural Technology High School, Bowen Primary School and Glenroi Heights Public School with the Indigenous Youth Leadership program. It’s certainly not my intent to take anything away from the fantastic educators shaping young minds in our region. It’s about the systemic and infrastructure barriers. If we remove these, the possibilities are endless.

Education is a community affair. It's incredible how it can transform not just an individual but whole families and communities. Think about the local business that needs skilled workers or the health services that need trained professionals – education is the tide that lifts all boats.??

However, in many of our regional areas, students often face more hurdles in accessing quality education—from distance to lack of resources and economic barriers.?

How do we start bridging the divide?

So, how do we begin to bridge this educational divide? It's not just about creating equality but equity—providing the right support tailored to meet specific needs. For me, there are a few areas that could offer great starting points.?

1. Harnessing technology

Technology today can be the great equaliser, but only if used wisely and inclusively. Improving access to reliable, high-speed internet in regional areas is essential. Imagine the potential unleashed when students in the most remote parts of Australia can attend virtual classrooms, access vast online libraries, and engage with interactive learning tools.

2. Local contexts, tailored learning

Not every educational need fits into the box of the traditional curriculum, and local context counts. AI is giving us a broad scope to personalise learning, and it would be wonderful to see this harnessed more in our schools.?

3. Investing in regional teachers

I’ve mentioned earlier that we have some incredible educators in our regions, but it’s essential to continue to increase the number of experienced educators and build a strong future pipeline. There are already some great incentives for educators to live and work in regional Australia, and it would be great to increase these efforts to attract more educators at all career levels. By doing so, we’re not just filling vacancies but building communities and futures.?

4. Industry partnerships

As I mentioned earlier, our regions have close communities that pull together for a cause, it would be great to see more employers involved with educational partnerships that align with the economic needs and strengths of each region. Increasing these partnerships can enhance learning today and create local employment pathways – a real win/win for local people, employers and the economy.

Education should be a collaborative effort. By building strong partnerships between educational institutions, local businesses, and community groups, we can create internship, apprenticeship, and training opportunities that align with each region's economic needs and strengths. This not only enhances learning but also boosts local employment outcomes.

5. Fostering a culture of lifelong learning

As a backbone to all other initiatives, we must continue cultivating an environment where education is seen as a continuous journey rather than a destination. From adult education programs to community workshops and online courses, making learning accessible to all ages strengthens the fabric of our communities and encourages curiosity and growth.

A pathway to a strong future

The road to improving educational access in regional Australia is not without challenges, but it's one worth travelling. Education opens countless doors of opportunity, not just for individuals, but for entire communities and our nation as a whole.

Our regional students are the future innovators of industry. Investing in their education is key to building a strong future for us all.