How to ‘Future Proof’ the New Generations

Australia’s youth are facing some of the highest unemployment rates in recent times, and more than ever they need support from the social sector. The inaugural FUTUREgen16 Conference will connect cross-sector representatives and provide innovative strategies to help young people move forward.

Young people face a range of challenges as they leave school and transition to work or further study. There is an array of choices and with the changing nature of the labour market these have become increasingly complex.

In a changing labour market, one strategy is to teach young people how to become job creators and not just job seekers. Entrepreneurship, in its various forms, is the innovative response. Fostering a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem is another way to deal with youth unemployment and, as a country, we need to build an entrepreneurial culture whereby we can inspire our young people to look at this avenue as a potential career option; if jobs are scarce then we need to teach our young people how to create their own employment.

The FUTUREgen16 Conference, which will be held in Melbourne on 2 and 3 August 2016, will host a range of government, education, community and industry experts to look at ways to move forward and avoid a crisis like countries such as Spain and Greece are experiencing with youth unemployment rates over 45 per cent.

Managing director of Thinq Group, FUTUREgen16 host organisation, and long-term youth employment and careers education advocate, Daniela Ascone said: “Every country in the world shares the job creation challenge and it is one we cannot afford to ignore. We’re excited about the upcoming FUTUREgen16 Conference as it will bring together representatives from government, community, employment service and education providers to share best practice, innovation and prompt a collaborative response to address high levels of school disengagement and youth unemployment.”

“The Thinq Group has provided some funding for this important event as we believed we needed to provide a platform to showcase the amazing new and existing programs, and research from within Australia and across the globe so that we can adopt fresh approaches to the way we support young people to excel in education and the changing labour market.”

Nicholas Wyman, CEO of the Institute for Workplace Skills and Innovation, author of Job U and FUTUREgen16 keynote speaker said: “What’s important is ensuring future generations of young Australians have the skills to equip them for the workforce of the 21st century.

“Developing new skills is critical for maximising our economic and social wellbeing in an increasingly global and digital age.

“Globalisation, economic reforms and technological improvements are changing the nature of work and the types of jobs that will be available in the future – and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills will play a major role.”

Mark McCrindle, principal of McCrindle Research, demographer and social researcher, is also a FUTUREgen16 keynote speaker.

“Today’s school leavers will live longer and work later in life than any previous generation. On average, they will work for 17 different employers across 5 careers and many will work in jobs that don’t currently exist,” McCrindle said.

“The education that we are giving them at the start of their working lives will therefore be key to creating lifelong learners and future-proofed workers.”

The FUTUREgen16 Conference will be held on 2 and 3 August 2016 at Melbourne Pullman on the Park, hosting more than 200 delegates and over 30 speakers from across the world. To attend or support this event, visit here, call 1300 557 426 or email secretariat@futuregen.com.au.