At the PIE Live Asia Pacific event on the Gold Coast from July 29-30, Mark Raven, the General Manager of Revenue at IH Sydney Training Services, shared some great insights during a panel discussion about big changes happening in the ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students) and VET (Vocational Education and Training) sectors. They talked about how these sectors are tweaking their strategies to keep up with global shifts and what’s currently trending.
Enrolment Trends
The panel dug into how shifting government policies on visa approvals have been impacting enrolment patterns in both ELICOS and VET. Changes in visa processes, driven by policy shifts and job market demands, have led to adjustments in course offerings and academic levels. There’s been a noticeable drop in student numbers and some demographic shifts—like variations in student ages and countries of origin.
To deal with these changes, IH Sydney Training Services has been reworking their business model to explore new revenue streams and areas. They’re diversifying their course offerings within VET and higher education and aiming at new, lower-risk markets to boost visa approvals. They've also noticed shifts in where students come from and what they want to study, so they’re adapting their VET courses to include fields like early childhood, technology, and architectural drafting.
Business Strategy Adjustments
To navigate these changes, IH Sydney is making some strategic adjustments to support visa approvals. They’re now reviewing student applications and enrolments with a focus on forecasting visa approvals and managing risks. This extra scrutiny has increased their assessment costs and led them to expand their admissions team to tackle visa refusal rates.
To keep students engaged despite the changing policies, IH Sydney Training Services has come up with new recruitment strategies and support mechanisms. By diversifying their courses, setting up pathways agreements, and exploring new markets, they've managed to cushion the impact of reduced enrolments. They’re also trying out new course delivery methods to reach more people. They have had some successful case studies showing how they have adapted their business models to these challenges.
Vision and Future
Looking ahead, the panel talked about the ongoing challenges in the current policy environment, especially in the VET sector. The big takeaway was that adaptability and strategic planning are crucial to managing these challenges. As technology and job markets evolve, it’s important to ensure that the skills taught through VET and English language tests stay relevant and valuable to employers.
The event brings together an international audience of over 400 individuals, from over 16 countries. With more than 70 expert speakers and over 35 innovative sponsors and exhibitors sharing their knowledge and latest insights.
Mark Raven highlighted that the event was a fantastic chance for industry players to connect, share ideas, and talk about future directions. The discussion reinforced the strength of both the IH brand and the PIE network in tackling the challenges in education and training. Overall, the event underscored the need for ongoing adaptation and innovation to keep up with global changes and policy shifts.
Interested in speaking at an event but worried about the cost?
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