Griffith tackles skills shortage crisis

Pro Vice Chancellor (SEET) Professor Debra Henly
Pro Vice Chancellor (SEET) Professor Debra Henly

Griffith University is tackling the shortage of science and technology skills threatening Australia’s economic growth and global competitiveness.

International research, reported by the Australian Industry Group, indicates 75% of the fastest growing occupations around the world require science and technology skills and that jobs growth in these areas will outstrip other occupations by two-to-one.

Australia and Queensland are falling behind the rest of the world in the number of students engaged in gaining science and technology skills.

Griffith University Pro Vice Chancellor of Sciences, Professor Debra Henly, is driving a campaign to overcome this looming threat to Queensland’s productivity and prosperity.

“To ensure future economic growth it is vital that we provide graduates who have skills sets employers need,” Professor Henly said.

New comprehensive Bachelor of Science degree

She said Griffith is launching a new comprehensive Bachelor of Science degree program on the Nathan and Gold Coast campuses in 2014.

“The new Bachelor of Science program will complement existing offerings in Environment, Information Technology and Health, and will allow a high level of flexibility for students to mix and match majors to suit their particular interests,” Professor Henly said.

“It will also help meet the needs of frustrated employers who cannot get the skilled staff they need.”

The new degree is just one of a suite of initiatives being launched by Griffith under its three-year The New Griffith 2013-16 program.

Discover more at Open Day

The New Griffith Open Day on 11 August will provide future students, their friends and family with the chance to discover more about the New Griffith Bachelor of Science degree, as well as other learning and research opportunities.

Open Day will be taking place at the Nathan, Gold Coast and South Bank campuses from 9 am — 2 pm on 11 August, 2013. There will be information stalls, sessions and activities associated with each study area as well as the opportunity to talk to staff and current students about degree selection and choices.

There will also be visits from Griffith’s sporting partners, the Queensland Reds, who will be jumping on the red couch for photos with fans.

To register for The New Griffith Open Day 2013 go to www.griffith.edu.au/open-day