Page 2798 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 16 August 2017
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of their lease with Housing ACT, changing locks at the end of a lease. There would be any number of general maintenance items that would be covered by the current maintenance contract.
Education—STEM learning
MS ORR: My question is to the Minister for Education and Early Childhood Development. Minister, I note that this week is STEM week and there have been a number of activities across the ACT. Can you advise the Assembly on why the government is encouraging young people to take up an interest, a vocation or a career in science, technology, engineering and maths?
MS BERRY: Of course, it is actually Science Week, which makes up the science part in the STEM program of education. It is almost stating the obvious to say that the future of work in the developed world will be in fields based on science, technology, engineering and maths. Take a look around, pick up a newspaper or get on the internet and it is clear. Gone are the days when routine and manual tasks form the basis of our world. Our world is increasingly globalised and digitised, characterised by increasing levels of disruption and a rapid pace of technological development.
Members might have noted the recent release of a report from the Foundation for Young Australians titled The New Work Smarts. If you have not, I draw it to your attention. The report outlines findings from an analysis of 20 billion hours of work completed by 12 million Australians each year. It looked at more than 400 occupations and matched them with required work-related skills to gain an insight into what skills would matter most in 2030. The findings are telling and affirm the government’s focus. Almost 100 per cent more time at work will be spent solving problems, 41 per cent more time will be spent on critical thinking and judgement and 77 per cent more time will be spent using science.
Similar themes are being found in the International Labour Organisation’s future of work research, and the government’s own future of education conversation is uncovering this, as our community has recognised the same need. The topic “learning for the future” has so far received the most comments in total and is being raised by most stakeholders, including students, parents, teachers and academics.
Our curriculum needs to address and include learning for the future or 21st century skills. The government is focused on providing future generations with the chance of a decent life. An important part of this is encouraging young people to take up an interest or vocation—(Time expired.)
MS ORR: Minister, how is the government encouraging teachers to excel in teaching STEM?
MS BERRY: Building teacher capability is at the core of improving education in science, technology, engineering and maths for our students. The ACT government has committed funding in the 2017-18 budget of $875,000 over four years for 25 scholarships a year with a particular focus on these areas. These scholarships will
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