Industry-Innovation-and-Competitiveness-Agenda

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Co In Industry Innovation and Competitiveness Agenda TPO00007 Box B4: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics: Australia’s future — Chief Scientist of Australia In September 2014, the Chief Scientist released a paper calling for a strategic, whole of government approach to science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The paper argues that investment in STEM is a key contributor to boosting productivity, creating more and better jobs, enhancing competitiveness and growing an economy. For example, one estimate is that scientific and technological advances have produced roughly half of all United States economic growth in the last 50 years. STEM may become an even more essential component of jobs in the future. International research indicates that 75 per cent of the fastest growing occupations now require STEM skills and knowledge. The effectiveness of greater investment in STEM will depend on appropriate adaptation to the Australian context. Not all methods that have been successful internationally will find success here. Nevertheless, it is important that our level of STEM skills and knowledge, and the way they are utilised, does not hold back Australia’s competitiveness or economic prosperity. The evidence is mounting that Australia is not matching its overseas competitors on some performance measures: • just 1.5 per cent of Australian firms developed new-to-the-world innovations in 2011, compared with 10 to 40 per cent in other OECD countries; • fewer than one in three Australian researchers work in industry, which is half the OECD average and less than in the United States; and • Australia’s performance in mathematical literacy in schools has fallen in absolute and relative terms. Of the countries tested in 2003, only five significantly outperformed Australia in mathematical literacy. By 2012 we were outperformed by 12 countries. Around 40 per cent of our Year 7 to 10 mathematics classes are taught without a qualified mathematics teacher. The paper includes 24 recommendations across a range of areas, including competitiveness, education and training, research and international engagement. A key foundational requirement is that we have people with sound basic STEM capabilities. The Government recognises the importance of developing such capabilities. 46 Industry Innovation and Competitiveness Agenda
A number of the other themes raised by the Chief Scientist are reflected in the Competitiveness Agenda (under Ambition 4). For example, the Government will align Australia’s research priorities with our comparative advantages and foster collaboration between researchers and business; stimulate the growth of high-technology start-ups in Australia; and create a culture that is conducive to the commercialisation of good ideas. The Commonwealth Science Council, which is being established by the Government, will also consider several specific proposals raised by the Chief Scientist. Primary and secondary schooling While primary and secondary education are primarily the responsibility of the States and Territories, the Government made an election commitment to restore the focus on science and mathematics in primary and secondary schools. The Government is working with the States in four key areas: teacher quality; school autonomy; engaging parents in education; and strengthening the curriculum. The Government established a Teacher Education Ministerial Advisory Group, in February 2014, that will advise on how to improve STEM subject knowledge in teacher training. The Review of the Australian Curriculum has considered the robustness, independence and balance of STEM and other subjects. The Government is also providing funding for two science-in-schools programmes administered by the Australian Academy of Science. Its ‘Primary Connections: Linking science with literacy’ programme enhances primary school teachers’ confidence and competence in teaching science, and is designed to develop students’ knowledge, understanding and skills in both science and literacy from an early age. The ‘Science by Doing’ programme supports science teaching teams in secondary schools and is intended to increase engagement of secondary school students with science. The Government provided $5 million over four years in the 2014-15 Budget to maintain these programmes and, as part of the Competitiveness Agenda, will provide further support to foster STEM skills development in schools (see Proposal 9, below). Industry Innovation and Competitiveness Agenda In Co TPO00007 The Reform Agenda: Ambition 2 47
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Industry Innovation and Competitive
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Industry Innovation and Competitive
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Foreword Strengthening Australia’
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The Government’s economic vision
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Box 1: Key Initiatives • Encourag
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Ambition 1: A lower cost, business
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Ambition 2: A MORE SKILLED LABOUR F
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Page 113 and 114: Abbreviations AND References
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Business Council of Australia. (201
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Department of Infrastructure and Re
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Lignier, P., Evans, C., & Tran-Nam,
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Prime, P. B. (2012). Utilizing FDI
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United Nations Food and Agriculture
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© Commonwealth of Australia 2014 9
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Co In Industry Innovation and Compe
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