The university will claim to be at the center of federal employment plans at upcoming jobs and skills summits.

A two-day summit in Canberra this week will bring together more than 100 union, business and government representatives to discuss solutions to Australia’s economic challenges.

The highest institutions representing universities will attend the summit and urge governments to prioritize support for higher education.

Catriona Jackson, director of the Australian University, said more than half of the nearly one million jobs expected to be created in the next five years will require a higher education degree.

“Australia’s universities are playing a key role in addressing the country’s skills shortage, ensuring businesses large and small have the workforce they need to revitalize the economy,” she said. said in a statement.

“Failure to build a skilled workforce hinders our ability to solve challenges and embrace tomorrow’s opportunities, slowing economic growth and progress.”

Universities are a national asset Australia needs to grow its economy, Mr Jackson said.

Australian universities will need to adopt new business models to survive the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new EY report. (William West/AFP via Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Australia’s growing labor crisis in the early education sector, if not addressed, will have lasting effects on the economy and child development, proponents say.

An additional 39,000 early educators will be needed by 2023 to meet demand in the sector, the Agency for Quality of Education and Care for Children in Australia estimates.

The government must address the shortage as a priority at the next summit, says Australia’s leading parent advocacy group.

Georgie Dent, executive director of The Parenthood, said: “In addition to providing adequate compensation, early childhood educators feel recognized, respected and valued for their important work. We need a concerted effort to do so,” he said.

“Addressing staff shortages is also critical to boosting the overall workforce participation of women, addressing widespread skills shortages in other industries, and subsequently growing the economy.”

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Australian Associated Press is an Australian news agency.