[Sydney, AUSTRALIA] Australians must commit themselves to “life long learning” if the country’s
IT&T skills shortage is to be addressed, according to a report launched by
Telstra group managing director Gerry Moriarty.
The report, “The New Australian Learning System” was produced by
professional organizations including the Victorian division of the
Institution of Engineers Australia (IEA), following the innovation summit
held in February this year where education was highlighted as a key issue
for national prosperity.
Moriarty, speaking on the issue at a higher education conference in
Melbourne, said that the future strength of Australia’s economy was
inextricably linked to the nation’s ability to re-invent itself as a leader
in the digital marketplace.
“The development of new training systems will also help transform the
perception among global currency traders about the strength and future
potential of our economy,” he said.
The IEA report recommends the establishment of a statutory office of
knowledge and a Federal Minister of Knowledge, supported by appropriate
funding, and a shift in focus from “a provider focused notion of education
and training to a client focused notion of learning.”
“Universities are organizations steeped in tradition, heavily dependent on
government and wary of change. However, new times demand new thinking and
tertiary organizations must now seriously reconsider their service provision
if they are to remain relevant to the industry sector,” said Moriarty.
