The quality of human capital produced by our education and training system is critical to labour force participation and productivity. Access to high quality education and training is also a ladder for social mobility, especially for disadvantaged groups. The education and training system is also a growing employer, and education is also a major export earner.
We now know from brain science that the early years before school are in fact critical for a child’s subsequent learning and wellbeing, especially for those from vulnerable families. The availability of child care is also a major factor driving increased workforce participation. However, the quality, funding and accessibility of these services generally do not match that of the school sector.
Human capital is becoming more important as technology change and our maturing economy shifts employment more towards service sector and knowledge based jobs. STEM education and training will be critical, but so will key skills like creativity, critical thinking, learning, communication, interpersonal skills, career-management, self-awareness, confidence, and entrepreneurship.
Our schools and higher education institutions are struggling to meet this demand in a rapidly changing world. At the same time, the population is increasing rapidly and this is also putting a strain on the system. Government has a major role in funding, regulating and operating the education and training system, and will also increasingly need to rethink best practice and consider systemic changes to better serve all Australians. Technology and new ways of working will also provide alternative avenues for life-long learning outside of traditional systems.
The higher education system is also a major sources of R&D that can be used for innovation to improve Australia’s productivity as well as social outcomes. However, we have a poor record in translating and commercialing this R&D. We will need to consider new models to achieve this.
Team experience includes:
University of Melbourne – developed a digital strategy for Faculty of Business and Economics with a 10 year horizon
Commonwealth Government – a series of projects over seven years to review early childhood programs serving regional and remote areas and Indigenous communities across Australia, and to help implement major reforms
Victorian Government – a review of best practice approaches to education asset management including comparisons with organisations facing similar challenges
Australian Science Innovations – an evaluation of the Australian Science and Mathematics Olympiads programs and development of an optimal business model for the Olympiad Program
Monash University – development and implementation of a commercialisation strategy for the University, aiming to a achieve a step change in commercialisation outcomes