The establishment of an industry-based education program in public health

Commonwealth reforms have led to staff of the Department of Health and Aged Care needing a greater knowledge of public health, to more effectively eva luate evidence and to quickly acquire competence in new emerging areas. The department's requirements of a training program could not be met by existi ng university-based public health courses. A consortium of five universitie s and the department worked together to develop an industry-based course th at would meet the Commonwealth's needs. The course was constituted within u niversity regulations; had an incremental and articulated structure with ex it points at certificate, diploma and Masters levels; was relevant to the w ork of staff; offered subjects which complemented the staffs existing skill s, training and career aspirations; drew upon expertise across the universi ties; and was flexible in its delivery. The Commonwealth's and universities ' experience has been sufficiently positive to conclude that a corporate pu blic health postgraduate program has a place alongside university-based pro grams.