The path into education and compliance for Sukh Sandhu, with experience spanning over three decades, has been rather unusual. His enthusiasm surfaced when he began teaching a few IT modules to engineers working with HFCL and Bharti at the age of 14. “I was terrifiedtoo young, too inexperienced but something clicked: I loved solving problems and helping others grow,” Sukh remembers. That was the first of many experiences aimed at helping others striving to achieve defined goals through education.
From launching a global media startup to founding Career Calling International and CAQA, Sukh has educated himself on every sector on an intimate level, firmly accepting the belief that education changes people’s lives for the better. That passion still drives him today as he observes learners at Career Calling and CAQA shift from self-doubt to self-empowerment with the systems and resources provided, feeling more and more in control by the day. “Ashu is actually the fuel I draw strength from; my late mother always said, Rashpal Kaur Batth Sandhu, ‘Teach one, you teach a village,’” he conveys.
About Sukh Sandhu
Sukh Sandhu is an experienced educational professional and business owner, profoundly committed to transforming the domains of education, career counselling, and compliance. Based in Melbourne, Australia, Career Calling International and CAQA developed innovative models to meet the needs of a fast progressing global educational system.
Focusing on providing regulatory compliance requirements for educational institutions, Sukh’s work has ensured thousands of students, professionals, and organisations succeed within a borderless marketplace. His career illustrates the impact of bold vision, deep commitment, and relentless hard work on advancing education for the future.
Career Influence: Leadership Roles Across RTOs, TAFEs, and Universities
Drawn from RTOs, TAFEs and universities, Sukh’s leadership experience illustrates the interdependence of education and governance systems. “Each sector taught me something different. RTOs taught me agility—how to pivot quickly to meet industry demand. TAFEs showed me grit—delivering skills to neglected communities in the middle of budget austerity cuts. And universities opened my eyes to scale—trying to blend teaching, research and international influence while being shackled by compliance. And governance makes it too restrictive—a scaffold, not a cage.”
At present, he uses this perspective at Career Calling, directing his attention towards innovation within absolute quality standards.
Advocacy for Audit Reforms in Education
Sukh’s career took a distinct turn upon noticing how a small RTO was brought to its knees during an ASQA audit—not from a quality standpoint, rather from poor processes that lacked holistic thinking. The frustration he felt has driven his thinking towards audit reform. In his words: “Compliance should defend learners, not assault service providers.” Sukh has navigated different regulatory environments for more than 30 years; attempting, along the way, to advocate that audits be fair, swift, and rooted in outcome-based assessments, rather than arbitrary check-the-box for perceived neutral validation.
While at CAQA, he assisted in designing processes which, along with other measures, have reduced audit times and increased transparency. “I have an obligation to every learner to make compliance a passable road, not an obstacle,” he states.
Transforming Education & Compliance
Sukh has devoted decades to innovation in education, particularly with the introduction of digital compliance tools that reduce the audit burden by 40%. This enables RTOs to devote more attention to teaching than administrative tasks. He also brought forth innovations like outcome-based training through VR nursing labs, which enable students to apply their skills in actual employment settings. His sustained concern has always been ensuring that learners obtain more than mere certificates—that they possess essential competencies for real-world success.
Balancing Compliance and Innovation
Integrating compliance and innovation concurrently is a strange form of ‘dance.’ Sukh and his team seem to do it by defining strict boundaries with compliance and permitting creative freedom within those boundaries. “It’s compliance that sets the rhythm and innovation the steps,” he explains. CAQA’s capabilities and service offer quality assuring compliance alongside ever-evolving technologies such as AI and adaptive learning systems which facilitate unbounded innovation. “The regulations form the canvas and not the cage and therefore an audacious experience can be crafted while staying within the experience,” Sukh adds.
Addressing Key Compliance Challenges in Education
As a risk management specialist, Sukh points out several emerging issues impacting today’s educational institutions. He highlights the lack of comprehensive policies, breaches of data privacy, and the lack of policy resources as core issues. His responsive systems focus on constructed anticipation rather than hysteria. He further states, “when compliance is reactive, it is out of control.” Here he means to say institutions must anticipate compliance requirements well in advance.
The Future of Governance, Compliance, and Education Delivery
Sukh is of the opinion that technology will further transform education in the coming years. He explains that ‘AI will crunch data and predict risks before they flare’ and that ‘blockchain technology will permit the instantaneous verification of credentials across countries.’ He believes education will be immersive with VR labs and AI tutors in the learner’s environment.
At CAQA, they are currently developing solutions using AI to reduce the compliance burden and increase efficiency, advancing towards the next era of education.
Preparing for Future Compliance
Sukh advocates for a more acute futuristic approach to compliance planning. “The use of technology like AI dashboards allows compliance management to exercise foresight, thus requiring staff to be trained in advance,” he notes. “Institutions must map trends and build systems early to stay ahead of regulatory changes.”
Digital Transformation in Education
Sukh believes that the changing landscape of educational technology can be used to improve accessibility to quality learning. Educational technology, or ‘ed-tech’ as some prefer to call it, is both a blessing and a curse, but he urges that “Invest in platforms that reach remote learners without compromising quality,” could be its guiding motto. Sukh aims to transform learning accessibility through his varied global initiatives, such as developing VR tools and creating mobile-friendly resources, ensuring that education does not sacrifice depth or rigour.
Leadership and Advice for Future Educators
Sukh’s leadership style stems from lessons he learned in his formative years. He champions life-long learning and tells up-and-coming leaders to chase after knowledge with vigour. “Lead with heart and hustle,” he says, “care fiercely about learners, but grind to make it real.” His instructions? Assemble a team that is smarter than you, relish in the chaos that is education, and continue to learn perpetually.
A Vision for Global Education Reform
Sukh’s greatest wish for global education policy would be the establishment of a global skills passport. This blockchain-verified document would enable universal recognition of skills such that a Sydney-trained welder can effortlessly work in Seoul. “It’s about dismantling obstacles and allowing learners the freedom to pursue opportunities based on their ability and not where they are located,” he states.
Influence of Family and Early Entrepreneurial Ventures
Sukh’s initial entrepreneurship experiences instilled in him the lessons of hustle, problem-solving, and scaling solutions. These lessons now inform his approach towards education and compliance. “To me, compliance isn’t bureaucracy—it’s a tool to solve problems,” he reflects.
His family equally has had a significant impact on his professional development. His late mother’s motivational quote, “Help one, you help a hundred,” propels him at Career Calling and CAQA. His wife Raj Kiran and his children further shape his leadership, providing balance and vision.
The Most Unexpected Lesson of 30 Years
The lesson Sukh recalled as most surprising is that failure is often a better teacher than success. Reflecting on his business setbacks, he recounts, The strongest pillars are built on the deepest challenges; in life’s battles, it’s resilience that really matters.
Fostering a Culture of Innovation
By allowing his teams at Career Calling and CAQA to freely experiment and fail, Sukh has nurtured a culture of innovation at these organisations. Their “Innovation Lab” has yielded groundbreaking inventions such as the VR assessment tools. “We celebrate the process, not just the win,” he articulates as he emphasises that success is achieved through bold ideas and experimentation.
Impact on Underserved Communities
One of Sukh’s primary objectives is to increase accessibility to education for the marginalised. With the efforts of Career Calling and CAQA, remote learners are being equipped through the creation of mobile-optimised materials and micro-credentials. “I want underserved communities to regard education as an opportunity, rather than a privilege,” he states. His international initiatives are immensely bridging gaps and establishing routes for learners in rural and neglected areas.
A Global Perspective on Vocational Education
Sukh’s approach to vocational education is influenced by his work across continents, giving him a global perspective. Sukh has developed a model which adapts to international challenges while still preserving quality standards by integrating Canada’s flexible system with Australia’s rigorous ASQA.
Compliance isn’t a checkbox—it’s the key to unlocking excellence in education.
“We don’t just create systems—we empower futures, fuel dreams, and shape destinies.”
“I don’t just build education systems — I build legacies that empower generations.”
“Compliance isn’t about rules; it’s about responsibility — to students, to systems, and to the future.”
“My mother gave me purpose. Her belief in education is the fire that fuels every mission I lead.”
“Real leadership isn’t about perfection — it’s about turning every setback into a stronger comeback.”
“In a world chasing change, I create impact. Sustainable. Scalable. Transformational.”
