Silicon-Valley's EdTech unicorn Udacity doubles down on growing Australia’s tech and digital capabilities

The partnership between RMIT Online and Udacity aims to upskill Australians in critical fields for the future of workCourses include Flying Car and Autonomous Flight Engineer, Deep Learning, Ethical Hacker, and Ethical AI, for which students will receive a University-backed credential

RMIT Online today announces an extension of its industry-leading partnership with global education provider, Udacity, doubling down on its commitment to make upskilling in critical fields more widely accessible. 

The unique collaboration between Udacity and RMIT Online was designed to address skill shortages and help fill growing job vacancies by equipping Australians with the skills they need for the future of work. 

Udacity, which has collaborated with Silicon Valley powerhouses including Google, Facebook and NVIDIA, gives students skills to advance their careers through a series of online courses in hands-on technologies in high-demand subjects. 

Following a successful launch of courses in 2018, the newest suite of course offerings include Flying Car and Autonomous Flight Engineer, Deep Learning, Ethical Hacker, and Ethical AI.

Research from RMIT Online and Deloitte Access Economics, titled Ready, Set, Upskill, found the digital skills gap – the gulf between our current industry skill set and realising the true potential of a resilient, agile, Australian workforce – is costing Australian businesses $3.1 billion annually. 

Students will enjoy a world-class learning experience combined with personalised support from global experts, all while earning a University-backed credential.

RMIT Online CEO Nic Cola said: “The future of work is moving at increasing speeds. Jobs that literally didn’t exist 10 years ago are quickly becoming highly sought after, leaving professionals scrambling to update their skill set. At RMIT Online, we firmly believe the best chance we have to remain competitive on a global stage is to partner alongside the best to broaden our current skill set, with a focus on in-demand and emerging tech sectors.” 

Udacity Chief CEO Kai Roemmalt said: “We simply cannot ignore the marked shifts we’re already seeing unfold across the world, with industry leaders investing heavily in artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies. Being able to capitalise on these technological advancements means democratising education and upskilling for the next generation of workers.”

Udacity Regional Vice President Phil Duggan said: “Tech skills are now becoming the central nervous system for all organisations regardless of role types or functions. When these skills are in high demand yet low supply, it presents an opportunity for organisations to reskill or upskill their employees through an applied learning model supported by highly vetted practitioners. 

“RMIT Online has successfully collaborated with Udacity over previous years, and we are incredibly excited about this next phase. This partnership enables us to offer Udacity via a localised approach to all Enterprises and Organisations in Australia that wish to advance their digital strategies through a ‘learn-by-doing’ methodology to digital competency development.”

RMIT Online remains the only Australian University to offer internationally backed courses through Udacity. All courses are expected to open for enrolment from 15 August here.

About RMIT Online

RMIT Online was created by RMIT University to provide a world-class digital learning experience at the nexus of business, design and technology, leaning into future of work needs to equip students with in-demand skills and qualifications. RMIT Online teams up with industry thought leaders and experts to deliver the best in flexible education using the latest digital tools and technologies for a highly interactive, virtual cohort experience. RMIT Online is dedicated to achieving its mission of future-ready careers and creating a “community of lifelong learners, successfully navigating the world of work”. 

About Udacity

Udacity changes lives, businesses, and nations through radical talent transformation in digital technologies. Udacity's global talent transformation platform focuses on in-demand digital technologies, mentor support, and project-based learning taught by industry experts. Programs include real-world content for job-ready competencies in artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, autonomous systems, and cloud computing, among other disciplines. Udacity's global enterprise customers include Airbus, Bertelsmann, BNP Paribas, Leidos, Mazda, and the United States Air Force. Udacity collaborates with over 200 global industry partners, including Google, Mercedes-Benz, and NVIDIA, to power technical education.