The Australian Industry Group has released this major report titled Strengthening School-Industry STEM Skills Partnerships, commissioned by the Office of the Chief Scientist.

This report represents a two-year research project funded by the Office of the Chief Scientist to improve student participation in STEM-related disciplines by encouraging school and industry collaboration. The report also investigated the need to improve teacher and student understanding of the demand for STEM skills in the workplace, and to encourage students to consider further study and a career in STEM.

A key finding was the need for the professional development of teachers to enable successful school-industry collaboration, and the role of education systems in providing this support.

The report also found that multiple models of school-industry engagement were already in place across Australia, ranging from ‘single school-single company’ models, through to larger hub-type arrangements involving many partners.