Future of work: innovation skills as the missing link for employability

Giselle Rampersad, Vlatka Zivotic-Kukolj

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

Abstract

While innovation is critical for the workforce of tomorrow, the curricula of current science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education programs do not sufficiently prepare graduates with innovation skills for the future of work
increasingly characterized by automation and artificial intelligence. This quantitative, longitudinal study measures key transferable skills in work integrated learning (WIL) students, before and after their industry placement. It found that students
were deficient in important innovation skills needed for employability in the future workplace including creativity/lateral thinking, entrepreneurship/ intrapreneurship, influencing others and conflict resolution. The study also demonstrates how feedback on transferable skills development could be an effective tool used for professional development of students, improvement of their innovation and employability skills and increased awareness of an innovative mindset. The study offers implications for educators in nurturing innovation skills though enhanced curriculum development and delivery, robust measurement and feedback to students.
Original languageEnglish
Pages129-135
Number of pages7
Publication statusAccepted/In press - 2018
EventThe Australian Conference on Science and Mathematics Education, 2018 - Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
Duration: 26 Sept 201828 Sept 2018

Conference

ConferenceThe Australian Conference on Science and Mathematics Education, 2018
Country/TerritoryAustralia
CityAdelaide
Period26/09/1828/09/18

Keywords

  • curriculum design
  • employability
  • entrepreneurship
  • innovation
  • STEM
  • student career literacy
  • work-integrated learning

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