Building tomorrow’s workforce - a data & AI culture and capability
I’ve mentioned before that, SAS is committed to building an analytics and technology enabled workforce. Which is why we support education initiatives that deliver teaching programs that close the analytics skills gap, and why we support industry engagement initiatives that drive innovation and collaboration. Bold words and in both 2023 & 2024, these bold words were put into action - at SAS Innovate Sydney.
Talent Connection
As a global first, SAS Innovate Sydney 2023 included a Talent Connection round table. The round table brought together academics, students, graduates and SAS executives. It provided students and graduates the opportunity to share with SAS executives their experiences entering the workforce. The discussion allowed the students and graduates to share the challenges they face when entering the workforce. Challenges such as a requirement for extensive work tenure, relevant work experience, applied skill and knowledge and more than just a degree. The round table also provided academics the opportunity to share how universities are adapting to provide students more opportunity to develop applied skill and knowledge and how universities are offering increased opportunities for industry collaboration. And the session provided SAS executives the opportunity to share their personal stories and experiences, as well as how SAS is provided students and gradutes employment opportunities. Such as CareerStart@SAS.
Talent Partnerships
In 2024 SAS Innovate Sydney again hosted a Talent Connection round table. This time with the theme Building Tomorrow’s Workforce: Exploring the importance of talent connection partnerships between business and education. The round table bought business and academic leaders and SAS executives together to explore innovative approaches to developing education programs and talent connection partnerships. The goal to cultivate the future workforce.
The round table discussed the importance of skills development and the pressing challenge of the skills shortage in today’s workforce. Explored the evolving requirements of career recruitment and development programs. And discussed how business and academic institutions can work together to provide career pathways for individuals to establish, adapt and grow their careers. At the heart of the discussion were the topics:
- What are Australia’s most pressing digital skills shortages and what is the impact to industry and the economy?
- What challenges do we face today in developing these critical digital skills?
- How are academic programs adapting to meet the growth of in-demand digital skills?
- How are industry/recruitment programs adapting to Australia’s changing labour market
- How can industry and education better collaborate to deliver talent development partnerships?
Industry leaders highlighted the importance of data and AI skill and experience. And the need for simple and engaging channels to bring students and graduates together with industry. The value placed on practical skill and knowledge and examples of real life experience. And the need to create space between university and industry to collaborate better.
Academic leaders spoke to how universities are developing education programs focused on the future skills demand. Such as AI, cyber, software development and cloud. The importance of co-design and development of programs. But also, the need to teach core skills such as programming. And the requirement to balance technical and applied knowledge. But against a backdrop, where, like industry, the university sector has its owns talent challenges.
Both sides agreed as to the importance of critical and analytical thinking. The increasing importance of career mobility. And that current recruitment processes need change and maybe everyone needs to be a little bit more human.
The round table also allowed SAS to celebrate excellence as we present the recipients of the 2024 Academic Partner Awards. The SAS Global Academic Program promotes collaboration between higher education institutes and industry, to develop the future data, AI and technology enabled workforce. In recognition of significant academic partnerships, the SAS Academic Partner Awards showcased two (2) educators who, have led ground-breaking programs, working with industry to develop skills-based and applied-led teaching programs.
Onwards
So, SAS Innovate Sydney 2024 is over. It was a great success. It was a lot of hard work. But critically the talent connection round table event has evolved. And needs to continue to evolve and reflect the ever-increasing pressure on building the future workforce. But to also reflect and recognise the changes and successes we achieve, as a result of facilitating discussions such as this one last week. Here’s to SAS Innovate Sydney 2025!
