For universities and schools like, one of the key challenges of our times is how they we empower younger workers while at the same time valuing and respecting the experience of older generation workers.
To address this, Swinburne University’s Centre for the New Workforce recently welcomed Millennial workforce champion and PwC director Dr Ben Hamer as an adjunct industry fellow.
As an advocate for the millennial workforce and as a part of the centre, Dr Hamer will focus his expertise on issues around the gig economy, and the disruption and multigenerational differences in the workforce.
Hamer says disruption is happening at an “unprecedented pace” and that Australia is already falling behind while organisations “shy away from the necessary conversations”.
“The year 2020 will be a defining one for Australian universities as they seek to address three key challenges,” Hamer told The Educator.
“Firstly, with over half of employers suggesting graduates aren’t ‘job ready’, universities need to better prepare students by closing the skill gap, with a focus on enterprise [soft] and entrepreneurial skills.”
Hamer said these skills are most commonly embedded and developed through arts and humanities programs, which are most susceptible to funding cuts.
“Secondly, universities must challenge conservative traditions as they seek to maintain relevance and pursue alternative service offerings and delivery models, which includes challenging the incentives for universities and associated funding mechanisms,” he explained.
“And finally, they must partner and collaborate with industry to survive, as well as vocational and non-traditional providers to enhance student and social outcomes”.
Hamer is advocating for increased collaboration across government, industry, and education.
“Solving these issues cannot be done alone and there are some great things being done in pockets,” he said.
“A focus on precincts, for example, has increased collaboration. Governments are also seeking to better understand and support emerging industries through engaging with education [supply of talent] and industry [demand]”.
Hamer said that some organisations are investing in building “future grass roots talent pools”, with organisations such as the Commonwealth Bank supporting cyber security programs and courses for school students.
“However, more needs to be done at a systemic level and we need to start holding people, governments, and organisations accountable for collective action,” he said.