Details

Agenda for the New Skills for the New Economy Roundtable

• Opening remarks and welcome to New Skills for the New Economy Roundtable

Dr. Ian Pollard, Chairman of the Australian Business Foundation

• New Skills for a New Paradigm

An overview of the research by Peter Kearns, Managing Director of Global Learning Services, and overheads used.

• Information and Communication Technology, Bridging the Skills Gap
  A presentation by Dale Spender, Creative Director of Digital Style and Adjunct Professor of University of Queensland
• Open discussion Forum
• Light refreshments and Informal Discussions
• Forum Media Release

In 1970, a worker's skill set could last 15 years before becoming outdated. However, the pace of change in today's workplace dictates that this concept, known as occupational half-life, lasts no longer than two and a half years.

'Lifelong employability' – the capacity to be productive and to hold rewarding jobs over one's working life – is no longer guaranteed by our early education and training. The continuous structural changes affecting all businesses have increased the importance of up-to-date skills and competencies.

Research by the OECD points to a clear relationship between investment in education and training and growth in productivity. Building human capital has been the focus of all developed countries in their drive to become knowledge-based economies.

How employers prepare themselves to meet the need for skills as yet unanticipated? How can people stay employable when new technologies are transforming the very nature of business and work?

Australian Business Limited (ABL) sponsors the Australian Business Foundation. The Australian Business Foundation, a business think-tank, invites you to explore the new skills Australia needs for competing in the new economy and the changing nature of education and employment.

Guest speakers include: Peter Kearns – He worked as a delegate to the OECD and as senior executive establishing various education and training initiatives, including the ACT Vocational Training Authority. He is an author and Director of Global Learning Services; he will compare Australia's learning culture with five OECD countries.

Dale Spender is a successful author and government adviser in the area of information and communications technology policy. She is the Creative Director of Digital Style. Dale is also Adjunct Professor at the University of Queensland where she works with the vice-chancellor to assist with the university's transition to a digital education provider.


Date: Monday, October 9, 2000

Time: 4:45pm – 6:30pm (followed by light refreshments)

Where: Australian Business Limited, Level 16, 140 Arthur Street, Sydney


For more information contact Randal Markey, Manager, Government and Media Relations, Australian Business Limited, (02) 9927 7543

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