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A knowledge region is our most secure future
4 August 2007
Regions and nations around the world, concerned about the most fundamental issues bearing on their long-term sustainable futures, are overwhelmingly focusing on the growing shortage of skilled professionals, tradespeople, and leaders of innovation. They are wrestling with ways of how they have to position themselves to optimise their future quality of life and create more high-level jobs and careers for their inhabitants, young and old alike.
The most economically advanced nation in the world, the U.S., needs to educate an additional 15.6 million people to degree level to remain globally competitive. This represents a 37 percent increase over and above its current levels. The same report states unequivocally that high educational attainment, state or regional strength, and high incomes all correlate positively.
Scotland has just announced a renewed commitment to regional and national growth through building “a learning nation for the future” and further investments in higher education.
The European Union is pouring huge sums of money into research, innovation, regional support, and increasing access for the socio-economic disadvantaged.
Controversial steps are being taken in England to address the education and skills shortages, and new legislation is changing the relationships between universities and further education (TAFE) colleges, to ensure the enhanced flow of more and varied graduates.
Across the world advanced nations are facing supply crises particularly relating to health, and we are experiencing our share of that in Australia.
In the last week or so the Graduate Careers Council has again reported on the Australian position for graduates: a person with a degree can earn 25 percent more across a lifetime (approx. $250,000, depending on the subject) than a school graduate. Most get employment within three months, have higher starting salaries, especially in the regions and progress their careers faster. There has been no erosion of the ‘graduate premium’.
Within the region and within the nation, we cannot afford to divert our gaze from what ought to be the main issues for our sustainable future.
Professor Paul Thomas AM is Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Sunshine Coast.