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Australia's threatened shortfall in science, engineering and technology professionals could choke Australia's competitive position in world markets – and threaten our living standards, according to the Australian Academy of Technological Science and Engineering (ATSE).
“The situation is becoming desperate, particularly in engineering education, and has the potential to choke our economy,” ATSE Chief Executive John Dodgson said today.
“The Academy is particularly concerned about the lessening interest in science topics in high schools and the perception that University science courses do not lead to careers that compare, for interest and reward, with other career streams.
“The Audit of Science, Engineering & Technology Skills, released last night by Julie Bishop, the Minister for Education, Science and Training, identified a looming shortfall of 35 per cent of the 55,000 additional science professionals required six years from now.
“In particular, Australia needs far more engineers, greater emphasis on engineering education and an overhaul of how engineering education is designed and delivered to maintain its international competitiveness and standard of living,” he said.
“Australia's comparatively low spending on science and engineering education and industry-based R&D threaten the nation's ability to achieve a sustainable, internationally competitive position in world markets.
“The June issue of our quarterly magazine Focus explored this topic extensively, with prominent ATSE Fellows, such as business leaders Peter Farrell and Jim Fox and leading engineering educators, including Professors Mark Wainwright and Archie Johnston, all calling for urgent action.
(The complete edition and each key article in Focus #141 are available on the ATSE website http://www.atse.org.au/index.php?sectionid=742)
“We applaud the Government for the initiative and the commitment of a further $18 Million to fund a further 50 research places within CSIRO, but the solution does not rest solely with government,” Mr Dodgson said.
“Industry and educators must recognise this looming crisis and move now to take the necessary steps to attract and fund more young Australians into science, engineering and technology careers.
“The alternative is unacceptable to Australia,” he added.
More information:
Focus QUOTES
Dr Peter Farrell AM FTSE, Chairman and CEO of ResMed Inc.
“Innovation is the essential link between an invention or discovery and the delivery of that invention or discovery into the marketplace. In essence, advanced societies require innovation to survive and prosper over the long term. Furthermore, innovation is invariably based on technology and although the individuals who drive innovation are entrepreneurs, those who make the best entrepreneurs are people with a basic training in engineering. Engineers are the drill-down backbone of wealth creation, without which we cannot have a truly equitable, fair and just society. Disappointingly, the Australian tertiary system under-produces engineers, across all engineering disciplines.”
Dr Jim Fox FTSE, Managing Director of Vision Systems Limited
“Engineers are at the backbone of our wealth creation with their targeted and outcomes-driven approach to the intersection of technology, science and commerce. Whether engineers remain in the profession or move to the business side of the ledger, without engineering-savvy bankers, business leaders and decision makers generally, our country will be disadvantaged and have a very much reduced participation in the ever-increasing pool of international wealth.”
Contact Bill Mackey, Communications Director
(03) 9340 1206 or 0418 923 370
billm@atse.org.au
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