School system needs ‘urgent change’ – experts

Last year, around 70% of bachelor graduates and only a third of VET graduates found full-time employment in fields they had studied and trained in. Megan O’Connell from the Mitchell Institute has reported unless schools broaden learning objectives, many students will fail to become capable, successful adults – putting Australia’s social and economic well-being at risk. “Our education system was formed in the manufacturing era, it was not designed to teach students how to navigate complex environments and multiple careers,” O’Connell said in a statement. “Young people need different skill sets to what is taught in the traditional curriculum if they are to thrive in high-tech, global, competitive job markets. Many young people are being left behind, and without significant change, we can expect to see more missing out in the future.”