Australian education and employer bodies call on adaptability for the future workplace

Education and employer bodies in Australia have called on the country to change the way they approach learning so as to better prepare the workforce for future requirements.

“COVID-19 has created sudden and drastic disruptions within Australia’s economy, workplaces and education sectors. In just six months, it has triggered higher unemployment, accelerated digitisation, and a shift towards growth industries, such as health, technology and advanced manufacturing,” the report by the Australian Technology Network of Universities, TAFE Directors Australia, the Australian Industry Group and AlphaBeta said. 

Among the actions suggested that the country should take include putting in place strategies, funding, and partnerships that grow high-value jobs and industries, and supporting these with innovative education and training models.

This would include aligning investments from the tertiary education and training sector, government, and industry to high-value industries and jobs. The report also suggests to build collaborative learning hubs that can co-locate industry, education and training sector organisations. 

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The report also called for the expansion of education and training products to ensure that learner needs are met, and to improve the opportunity to gain new skills and maximise employability. 

This can be done by encouraging shorter, targeted courses, such as micro-credentials, to encourage continuous learning that is relevant to work needs, it said.