Western Australian businesses have highlighted challenges with the state’s education system, calling for reform to ensure WA’s future workers have the skills they need for the jobs of the future.
The findings were detailed in a CCIWA report, titled Thinking Ahead, which was the result of detailed consultation and research over the course of the last 12 months.
The report identifies five themes that need to be addressed to help lift educational outcomes:
- 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.
CCIWA acting co-CEO, Aaron Morey, said employers are becoming increasingly frustrated by post-school employees who are not “job ready” and who lack the skills and knowledge needed to succeed outside of a school environment.
“It is extremely concerning that employers are, increasingly, finding school graduates are lacking basic skills and knowledge,” he said.
“Lower education outcomes are a handbrake on productivity and a barrier to young people getting a start in the workforce.
“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.”
The report also highlights the importance of explicit instruction for early years education, which provides a crucial learning foundation for future learning.
“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,” Mr Morey said.
“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.”
The report also recommended 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,” Mr Morey said.
“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.”
