Submission to the National Priorities and Industry Linkage Fund Consultation Paper 2020

On 30 October 2020 the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia made a submission to the Department of Education, Skills and Employment National Priorities and Industry Linkage Fund (NPILF) Consultation Paper 2020.

The Academy supports the intention of the NPILF to encourage deeper partnerships between universities and industry, with a focus on improving graduate outcomes. The Academy considers the overall intention of the initiative worthwhile and educationally appropriate, particularly in an era beset with concerns about graduate employment and the need for graduates able to adapt to the changing requirements of contemporary work.

However, the Academy is concerned about the operation and implementation aspects of the NPILF design, and makes six recommendations to finesse the current proposal along with consideration of alternative approaches.