CHALLENGES IN MOBILISING RESEARCHERS INTO THE COMMERCIAL WORKFORCEJohn NowakowskiCAPA Presidentpresident@capa.edu.au

OVERVIEW What is CAPA? Hurdles in mobilising researchers Understanding the cohort Methods for overcoming hurdles

THE COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIAN POSTGRADUATE ASSOCIATIONS

The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) is the national representative body for Australia’s 300,000+ postgraduate students, including 50,000+ research students.Founded in 1979, CAPA is a membership-based non-profit organisation. CAPA's main role is in protecting and promoting the interests and needs of Australia's postgraduate students.

WHY DO WE EMPLOY RESEARCHERS? They innovate, which generates new

products They are highly skilled in their chosen area They are able to think laterally and solve

problems They understand their work because they

thoroughly review it and other published results

In essence, they help to bring in more money

HURDLES

(c) Jorge Cham, 2011

HURDLES IN MOVING FROM UNIVERSITY TO COMMERCIAL WORKFORCE Balancing the love of research for

results and profit Dramatic change of pace:

Entirely different working environmentsSupervisor/Candidate vs Workplace

Different skills required to “survive”

GENERIC SKILLS

WHAT ARE “GENERIC SKILLS”? Typing Reading Writing Cooking Reading a bus

timetable Ability to tie

your shoelaces

ACCORDING TO NCVER... In 2002 the Australian Chamber of

Commerce and Industry and the Business Council of Australia developed a list

They are defined as: “skills required not only to gain employment, but also to progress within an enterprise so as to achieve one’s potential and contribute successfully to enterprise strategic directions” (page 3)

GENERIC SKILLS

Communication Teamwork Problem solving Initiative and

Enterprise Planning and

Organising Self Management Learning Technology

Loyalty Presentation Honesty and Integrity Enthusiasm Common Sense Positive Self-esteem Commitment Sense of humour Reliability Ability to deal with pressure Adaptability Motivation Work/Life balance

Employability Skills

Personal Skills

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HOW DO WE TEACH GENERIC SKILLS Options available:

Compulsory courseworkPedagogy through the supervisorConstant review and remedial sessions

Will this add value? How do we form the list of generic

skills? Surely there are things missing! How do we teach some of these?!

DOCTORAL TRAINING CENTRES Under development for 2012 at ATN

Universities Philosophy:

Research project stems from industryMay be an employee of the company

undergoing further trainingCompany owns the IPCoursework and Seminar programs

involvedA substantial portion of time to be spent

at the company

DOCTORAL TRAINING CENTRES They work! If they’re set up well. Coursework needs to be considered

carefully:Flat compulsory enrolmentAssessing what skills are needed

Students tend to either associate well with one group or feel isolated by two

Does not suit all areas of research

ENSURING RESEARCH INDEPENDENCE

CLOSING THOUGHTS

CHALLENGES IN MOBILISING RESEARCHERS INTO THE COMMERCIAL WORKFORCEJohn NowakowskiCAPA Presidentpresident@capa.edu.au