Recommendations

Recommendation 1

3.28 The committee recommends that the government seeks recommendations from the Chief Scientist about how it can best continue to support the development of science, technology, engineering and mathematics courses.

Recommendation 2

3.29 The committee recommends that the government works through the Council of Australian Governments to promote science, technology, engineering and maths ability in states and territories.

Recommendation 3

3.42 The committee recommends that the government requests the Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency, or a similar body, to investigate the reason why attrition rates for Vocational Education and Training courses in engineering trades are so high. Based on the findings of this study, the committee recommends that the government work with Vocational Education and Training providers and the states and territories to improve completion rates.

Recommendation 4

3.43 The committee recommends that the government considers extending funding for government supported places to all domestic students accepted into public higher education Engineering Technology programs accredited by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency.

Recommendation 5

3.67 The committee recommends that the industry committees advising universities take an active role in ensuring engineering courses are suited to industry requirements. To ensure their effectiveness, committees should include representatives with direct experience supervising and working with engineering graduates.

Recommendation 6

4.41 The committee recommends that the government consider creating senior technical engineering roles in the Australian Public Service. This measure would ensure that highly qualified technical engineers may continue to build upon specialist knowledge while enjoying career progression in the public sector.

Recommendation 7

4.42 The committee recommends that the Department of Finance and Deregulation reviews the Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines to ensure that the government is an informed purchaser of engineering infrastructure and that appropriate advice is provided in relation to procurement decisions that require specialist technical knowledge.

Recommendation 8

5.39 The committee recommends that the government work with states and territories through the Council of Australian Governments to engage with engineering industry peak bodies with a view to developing measures to encourage the provision of practical, paid work experience to university students.

Recommendation 9

5.47 The committee recommends that the government consider how it can encourage commonwealth contractors to provide graduate and cadetship programs through its procurement processes.

Recommendation 10

5.68 The committee recommends that the government work with the Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency and employers to develop targeted policies that encourage women to remain in, or return to, the engineering workforce.

Recommendation 11

5.75 The committee recommends that the government work with Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency to continue to develop targeted policies that encourage mature engineers to remain in or return to the workforce.

Recommendation 12

5.86 The committee recommends that the government continues to work with the states and territories through the Council of Australian Governments to make a national registration scheme for engineers a priority area for reform over the next decade.

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