Australia’s demand for skills and knowledge is growing all the time and we need more skilled workers to keep pace in a fast-changing strategic and economic environment.

The National Skills Commission projects that nine out of 10 new jobs being created in the coming years will require a post-school qualification. More than half of these new jobs will require a university degree.

Failing to meet these targets will hurt Australia socially, technologically and economically.

Modelling commissioned by Universities Australia shows that undershooting the National Skills Commission’s target for university-educated professionals alone will cost the economy $7 billion by 2026.

Without these workers, we will also not have enough IT professionals, engineers, nurses, doctors, teachers, hairdressers, and mechanics, among so many other professions, to meet Australia’s skills needs.

The Australian Universities Accord presents an opportunity to facilitate greater engagement between universities and VET providers for the benefit of Australia and all Australians, regardless of their education qualifications.

Attributable to Universities Australia Chair Professor David Lloyd:

“Universities and the VET sector are vital to ensuring Australia has the skilled graduates required to deliver national priorities and underpin the safety and wellbeing of Australians as well as driving our economic prosperity.

“We see the two sectors as being complementary, rather than being in competition with one another.”

Attributable to Universities Australia Chief Executive Catriona Jackson:

“We have welcomed comments made recently by Skills and Training Minister Brendan O’Connor around the need for education providers to join with industry to deliver the skilled workforce Australia requires to succeed in meeting national priorities.

“This shows we are front of mind as our policymakers consider the multigenerational challenges before us – from AUKUS to renewable energy and aged care. How we navigate them will define our success, safety and prosperity in the coming decades.”

Attributable to TAFE Directors Australia Chief Executive Officer Jenny Dodd:

“We need to make sure we’re training and educating the people who will create the jobs and the new industries of the future.

“If we have a strong university system collaborating with well-funded TAFEs, we have a strong economy. It’s as simple as that.”

Attributable to Ai Group Head Education and Training Megan Lilly:

“So many sectors of the economy are grappling with skill shortages, and this is adding to Australia’s productivity problem and slowing the growth of our economy.

“It’s important that all education providers are engaging together and with industry to educate the skilled workers our economy and nation needs – now and into the future.”