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14th Nov 2012, 04:27
Clifford: More maths, science grads needed
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November 14, 2012 3:26PM
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AUSTRALIA needs more maths and science graduates and tradespeople to combat the skills shortage in the resources sector, a leading businessman says.
Former Rio Tinto chief executive Leigh Clifford said state and federal governments needed to invest in education to tackle the skills shortage in the resources sector rather than just increasing skilled migration.
He also applauded the federal government's push for all students to study an Asian language but said it should not be at the expense of maths and science.
"We have to invest in an education system that develops the skills that we need," he told a business lunch in Sydney on Wednesday.
"Sure we could do more to encourage Asian languages and I don't dismiss the importance of that for a minute, but let's not forget maths and science especially in the formative years of education.
"Frankly we need more maths and science graduates and we need more emphasis on trade skills."
He said it was always cheaper to recruit within the country and local recruits tended to have a greater understanding of how Australian companies worked.
Mr Clifford, who is now the chairman of Qantas, also said there was a need for greater workplace flexibility and conditions should be able to be negotiated on an ongoing basis rather than just when awards were renewed.
"Workplace flexibility is not a thing you work or discuss every three years which is the tendency," he said.
"It's an ongoing process. We need to get over the fact that things are cast in bronze every three or four years and are not up for further discussion."
Read more: Clifford: More maths, science grads needed | News.com.au (http://www.news.com.au/business/breaking-news/clifford-more-maths-science-grads-needed/story-e6frfkur-1226516726055#ixzz2CAiJcpuj)
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AAP
November 14, 2012 3:26PM
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AUSTRALIA needs more maths and science graduates and tradespeople to combat the skills shortage in the resources sector, a leading businessman says.
Former Rio Tinto chief executive Leigh Clifford said state and federal governments needed to invest in education to tackle the skills shortage in the resources sector rather than just increasing skilled migration.
He also applauded the federal government's push for all students to study an Asian language but said it should not be at the expense of maths and science.
"We have to invest in an education system that develops the skills that we need," he told a business lunch in Sydney on Wednesday.
"Sure we could do more to encourage Asian languages and I don't dismiss the importance of that for a minute, but let's not forget maths and science especially in the formative years of education.
"Frankly we need more maths and science graduates and we need more emphasis on trade skills."
He said it was always cheaper to recruit within the country and local recruits tended to have a greater understanding of how Australian companies worked.
Mr Clifford, who is now the chairman of Qantas, also said there was a need for greater workplace flexibility and conditions should be able to be negotiated on an ongoing basis rather than just when awards were renewed.
"Workplace flexibility is not a thing you work or discuss every three years which is the tendency," he said.
"It's an ongoing process. We need to get over the fact that things are cast in bronze every three or four years and are not up for further discussion."
Read more: Clifford: More maths, science grads needed | News.com.au (http://www.news.com.au/business/breaking-news/clifford-more-maths-science-grads-needed/story-e6frfkur-1226516726055#ixzz2CAiJcpuj)