Keeping PACE with skills during and post COVID-19

Learn Fast, Grow Fast, Adapt Fast – this is the concept behind the new Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) unit at the University of Adelaide, which is helping Australians to reskill and upskill for a rapidly changing world.

PACE combines the expertise of the University’s previous long-running Executive Education and Professional & Continuing Education units, and provides focused, high-quality short courses, micro-credentials and customised learning programs for a range of personal and professional lifelong educational needs.

“PACE is developing new programs outside our normal degree offerings, providing more people access to our world-class expertise in different ways, and helping to address the skills needs of the future.”Professor Jennie Shaw

“The short courses and learning programs offered by PACE recognise that people can’t stay still during the pandemic – now is the time to develop new skills and competencies,” says Professor Jennie Shaw, the University of Adelaide’s Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic).

“As employees look towards post-pandemic recovery, PACE is working with organisations, industry associations, government agencies and experts to understand how organisations and individuals can ensure they’re on the right track for 2021 and beyond.

“PACE is developing new programs outside our normal degree offerings, providing more people access to our world-class expertise in different ways, and helping to address the skills needs of the future.”

With the challenge of employees working remotely during the global pandemic, PACE has been able to deliver online courses anywhere in Australia and the globe, as well as in face-to-face or blended modes.

“In our rapidly changing world, new norms relating to learning and skills development are emerging. The future of work is forever changing and advancing at a rate that requires individuals and organisations to learn, adapt and grow quickly. It is knowledge that will keep people moving forward in their careers,” says Craig McCallum, Acting Director, PACE.

“PACE will enhance the University of Adelaide’s longstanding reputation as an innovative, flexible provider of quality and relevant lifelong education. This will include responding to market demand.”

PACE programs that are already appealing to businesses and individuals this year are those dealing with resilience and emotional intelligence, both critical skills in times of crisis.

Sectors directly impacted by the pandemic, such as tourism and hospitality, can benefit from the courses available through PACE. One such example is Fundamentals of Spirit Production, offered in conjunction with the University’s School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, which is designed for the expanding market of boutique distillers.

Participants in this course gain the benefit of the latest knowledge from the University as well as interaction with local distilleries and South Australian industry experts. A number of successful distilleries have already started up in South Australia, Western Australia and Victoria as a result of attending the course.

More information about the range of short courses can be found on the PACE website.