Attributes required of graduates for the future workplace

Abstract

While many training and educational institutions and government agencies have delineated the competency standards required of professionals and trades persons in Australia, the changes in the nature of work mean that postcompulsory education (secondary schools, vocational colleges and universities) graduates need to be able to demonstrate additional knowledge, skills and abilities – herein referred to as virtual attributes – in order to generate an income in the twenty-first century. Set against a background of alternative work organisations, virtual teaming and flexible modes of income generation, this research produces some diverse findings. The virtual attributes are first gathered and ratified by a panel of experts, then 127 employers and 84 educators are surveyed as to how they perceive the importance of each of the attributes in generating an income in the year 2005. The items are then explored utilising factor analysis and four factors are produced: adaptability to changing work environments, cross-cultural competence, accountability and business management skills. Implications for the training of postcompulsory education graduates are discussed.