A framework for Analysing and Improving Graduate Attributes and Employability in the Blue Economy

Abstract

The Blue Economy plays an instrumental role in the growing offshore industry. The new and emerging sectors of Australia’s Blue Economy require an integrated understanding of technical, environmental and social aspects to support academic and industry career development which needs to be developed further at Australian universities. One of the key goals is therefore to educate a new generation of the Blue Economy workforce with detailed cross-disciplinary knowledge in future Blue Economy industries such as sustainable aquaculture industry, offshore wind and wave energy industry, green hydrogen industry and remote and autonomous technology. This work offers a first look on the potential impact of large industry – university partnerships (exemplified by the Blue Economy CRC on various disciplines and curricula.

The objective of this project is to analyse and qualify the currently implemented graduate attributes at universities and determine how to improve employability skills. This work will explore the challenges, strategies and considerations to improve educational and engagement programs for university students, researchers and practising workforce. In particular, we want to discuss pathways for collaboration between universities, industry and other partners to build a network that supports the ambitious objective of increasing employability skills for Blue Economy graduates.