Skills shortages ‘risk national security’, scientists warn

A ‘spreadsheet management approach’ to university education is creating skills shortages that threaten national security, professional organisations have warned.

Engineers and scientists have warned of skills shortages. Picture: istock

Scientists, mining professionals and psychologists have warned of critical skills shortages as universities cut costs by scrapping niche degrees.

The Australian Institute of Geoscientists has criticised cuts to teaching and research at the Australian National University, as well as Macquarie, Newcastle and Wollongong universities.

It has warned that universities’ “spreadsheet approach’’ to course provision is fuelling skills shortages.

“Australia’s ability to meet future technical and societal challenges is being lost,’’ the institute’s president, Dale Sims, has told the Senate inquiry into university governance.

“Our sovereign capability is being undermined by business models that reward university management for prioritising short-term dollar returns over long-term future benefits to Australians.

“Geoscientists … are an example of the high risk posed to Australia’s future technical capabilities and national security by a spreadsheet management approach, rather than a strategic approach, to education in our tertiary sector.’’

The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (Ausimm), the peak body representing professionals in the resources sector, has also complained about universities cancelling some courses with low enrolments.

“There is significant concern across the sector regarding the cancellation or substantial restructure of low-demand/high criticality courses in specialised areas such as mining engineering, mining, geology, metallurgy, earth sciences and materials engineering,’’ Ausimm chief executive Stephen Durkin has told the inquiry.

“Students and new professionals entering the sector consistently report that this uncertainty, including the prospect of major restructures for mid-degree students, is a disincentive for students pursuing specialist mine qualifications.’’

Mining professionals have blasted a “spreadsheet approach’’ to higher education, warning of skills shortages. Picture: iStock

The mining and metallurgy profession also wants universities to involve the industry more in curriculum and course design.

It calls for the expansion and recognition of new qualifications, apart from traditional university degrees.

These would include “higher apprenticeships’’, which combine a degree with on-the-job training, as well as undergraduate certificates and associate degrees.

“All higher education providers delivering mining-related programs (should) ensure their governance bodies include individuals with relevant industry experience,’’ Mr Durkin wrote in his submission.

“We need governance structures that incentivise higher education providers to provide courses that align with industry needs.’’

The industry’s concern follows revelations in The Australian that academics have blown the whistle on “soft marking’’ and falling academic standards in some university degrees.

Aside from the Senate inquiry, Federal Education Minister Jason Clare is awaiting recommendations from a new expert advisory council on university governance, which has met twice this year.

He said the council’s advice would help “make universities better places to study and work’’.

“The council is looking at everything from how universities pay staff, to the remuneration settings of senior university staff, and will report to education ministers later this year,’’ he said.

A spokesman for Mr Clare said the expert council had asked universities, state and territory governments, student groups, the National Tertiary Education Union and the Australian Higher Education Industrial Association to identify improvements to university governance by April 7.

He said the council had met twice, although “to allow the parties to talk freely and openly about governance matters, minutes have not been taken at these meetings’’.

Federal Education Minister Jason Clare is seeking advice on university governance from a panel of experts that he says has not kept minutes of meetings. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

Opposition education spokesman Senator Sarah Henderson said Mr Clare was now “conducting several matters in secret’’.

“It is ironic that a council of experts established to consider governance matters would not be the most forthright with their own governance processes, like publishing minutes,’’ she said.

Australian Association of Psychologists executive director Tegan Carrison raised concerns on Wednesday about the shortage of university places for psychologists.

“There are not enough courses or university places to support the psychology workforce,’’ she said.

In response to industry pressure, RMIT University has launched a unique “earn and learn” degree, so students gain their qualification while working full-time with an industry partner.

More than 1000 students have enrolled in courses IT and cyber security, engineering, aged care and nuclear medicine, which they study on the job.

The qualifications are co-designed and delivered with Victorian government and industry partners including the Suburban Rail Loop Authority and Ixom.

RMIT University’s deputy vice-chancellor, Mish Eastman, said the new learn-and-earn model is the first of its kind at degree level in Australia, ensuring that “more people have access to post-secondary education and our graduates are job-ready.“