Western Australia’s education system is falling short of equipping students with the skills and knowledge for the workforce, causing frustration among many employers, according to a landmark new CCIWA report.
The Thinking Ahead report highlights the challenges in the education system and calls for reform to ensure the State’s next generation of workers have the skills needed for future jobs.
“It is extremely concerning that employers are, increasingly, finding school graduates are lacking basic skills and knowledge,” says CCIWA Acting co-CEO Aaron Morey.
The report is the result of extensive research and consultation with educators and businesses over the past 12 months.
It makes 16 recommendations to help lift educational outcomes and support future industry. These are grouped into five themes:
- A renewed focus on explicit and deep learning;
- Addressing the bloated curriculum;
- Empowering independent public schools;
- Improving student equity support; and
- Better collaboration with industry and community.
Read the Thinking Ahead report
WA student performance drags national average
Australia’s NAPLAN results show WA is leading a national downward trend in student performance. Data from August 2023 indicates 30-40% of WA students needed ‘additional support’ or were deemed ‘developing’.
CCIWA’s report finds the impact on industry is widespread, affecting both trades and professional services sectors.
“Basic digital skills remain lacking in graduates … simple things such as writing emails and being comfortable communicating over the phone,” said a representative from the health and community services sector.
Change needed in the way students learn
The report highlights the importance of explicit instruction for early years education, which provides a crucial learning foundation for future learning.
Explicit learning is a teacher-led approach where information is taught directly and reinforced until students demonstrate understanding before progressing.
While the method was once a widespread practice, student-led inquiry is now more the norm and has strong union support.
However, the report states some schools have turned back to using explicit learning, with successful results. Edith Cowan University has also reintroduced it as a core topic.
“The clear message from employers is that schools need to get the fundamentals right and ensure students are leaving school with adequate numeracy and literacy skills,” Morey says.
“The range of subjects on offer to school students are a smorgasbord, which seems like a good thing at first glance, but does not align with industry needs.”
Connecting schools with industry
The report also recommends a renewed focus on connecting schools with industry to help better prepare young people for the types of jobs they will enter after school.
“Businesses tell us they find it easier to connect with private schools and they’d welcome the opportunity to better engage with local schools in the public system,” Morey says.
“We’ve heard of some great outcomes when schools engage with their local community, small and medium-sized businesses, and volunteering organisations.
“Independent Public Schools (IPS) are well placed to seize these opportunities and build that connection to community, but to see the dividends we need to see the full rollout of the IPS system continue.”
Concern of economic impact if no action taken
The report states that industry and education stakeholders alike are concerned that WA’s economy and productivity will be heavily impacted if the State Government does not consider solutions to address these issues.
“Lower education outcomes are a handbrake on productivity and a barrier to young people getting a start in the workforce,” Morey says.
“If WA can lift the standards achieved by students when they finish high school, it will lead to better outcomes for those students and boost our economy.”
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