Innovation and creativity: a workforce for the new economy

AUSTRALIA’s international competitiveness in the post mining boom economy will depend on our capacity to promote and meet the workforce demands of innovative and creative industries. These industries include medical research and biotechnology, software development, clean energy, agri-business, food processing, finance, tourism and education.

The Standing Committee on Education and Employment has initiated an inquiry into how best to facilitate and coordinate investment in research, commercialisation and skills to promote these new and emerging industries. It looks at two key issues:

• the capacity of Australia’s education providers to offer the qualifications and skills needed to meet the needs of Australia’s new and emerging industries; and
   
• the relationships between tertiary education entrepreneurship programs and private incubators, and the factors that may discourage closer partnerships between small and medium sized enterprises, the research sector and education providers.

Committee Chair, Dr Andrew Laming MP, said that Australia is lagging behind other developed countries in terms of innovation performance.

“The Global Innovation Index has Australia ranked at number 17 in the world when it comes to our ability to innovate. Compared with other similar nations, Australia has a long way to go if we want to catch up and be able to support our future labour force,”

“Education is the strongest link when it comes to innovation and creativity. Our ability to deliver this effectively, in conjunction with industry for industry, is the premise of this inquiry.” Dr Laming said.

Dr Laming emphasised that the Committee’s work will closely complement the Government’s National Innovation and Science Agenda.

“The Committee’s inquiry will highlight the opportunities and the barriers to be overcome if Australia’s creative and innovative industries are to collaborate effectively and develop the necessary culture, capital, talent and skills. These key themes are the focus of the Turnbull Government’s Innovation Agenda.”

The Committee is currently accepting submissions addressing the terms of reference. Any interested individuals or organisations who wish to provide a submission are asked to email the secretariat by 19 February 2016 expressing their intention to submit.

For further information, including the full terms of reference and how to prepare a submission, please visit the committee’s website or contact the secretariat on (02) 6277 4573.

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