TAFE NSW has joined hands with Adobe to bolster digital literacy skills across the state of New South Wales (NSW). This makes it the first vocational education and training (VET) provider in Australia to secure the esteemed title of Adobe Creative Campus.
This partnership grants full access to TAFE NSW students and staff to a comprehensive range of tools such as Express, Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. These tools cover a diverse array of skills including graphic design, video editing, web development, and photography.
The timing of this collaboration coincides with the increasing demand for digital literacy across various job sectors. A McKinsey report suggests that today's Australian workforce demands digital literacy in 87 percent of the jobs.
Richard Cass, TAFE NSW Director Media, Art, Design & Entertainment, commented on the partnership, "As an Adobe Creative Campus, TAFE NSW joins an exclusive group of global education providers who share a commitment to ensuring students and employees have the digital literacy skills required in today's digital world.” He believes that this is a crucial step towards preparing the students for a technology-driven future.
He further emphasized the broader impact of this collaboration, “Having access to innovative and creative technologies is helping to transform our classrooms, improve collaboration and efficiency in our workforce, and opening doors for new and exciting educational opportunities."
TAFE NSW Head Teacher of Photography, Screen and Media, and Games Development, Craig Daalmeijer-Power, shared his hands-on experience, "It’s a great opportunity to not only be the first vocational education and training provider to achieve the status of Adobe Creative Campus but also to be able to further help students excel in their digital literacy skills and enhance their employability and creativity."
He stressed the vital role of creativity and digital literacy in current times, "Creativity isn't for the select few but is an essential skill that allows for the development of ideas, improved productivity, and looking at challenges from new and innovative perspectives. By unlocking access to digital literacy and creativity, we can help meet the skills needs of businesses across the state."
Notably, the Director for Strategic Initiatives in Higher Education at Adobe, Sebastian Distefano, remarked, "In the age of Generative AI, Digital Literacy and Creativity emerge as the cornerstone skills for the modern workforce." He expressed his enthusiasm about the transformative partnership between Adobe and TAFE NSW, which marks a significant stride forward in the sphere of digital literacy and creative education across NSW.
He concluded with his view on the collaboration between Adobe and TAFE NSW, "By integrating Adobe's cutting-edge tools into TAFE NSW's curriculum, we are setting a new standard for educational excellence, ensuring students are not only career-ready but also equipped to lead with innovation and creativity in a digital-first world."