challenges in mobilising researchers into the commercial workforce
DESCRIPTION
Challenges in Mobilising Researchers into the Commercial Workforce. John Nowakowski CAPA President [email protected]. Overview. What is CAPA? Hurdles in mobilising researchers Understanding the cohort Methods for overcoming hurdles. The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
CHALLENGES IN MOBILISING RESEARCHERS INTO THE COMMERCIAL WORKFORCEJohn NowakowskiCAPA [email protected]
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
AC
CI a
nd B
CA
, Em
ploy
abili
ty S
kills
for t
he F
utur
e, 2
002
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 [email protected]