The Australian | 30 November 2012
Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show almost 37% of 25-34 year olds have degrees, up from 35% per cent last year and less than 25% a decade ago, a surge which has surprised analysts.
Some analysts suggest the figure has been inflated by skilled migrants and international students, and is not a true reflection of Australians’ qualifications and warned growth could falter as student and migrant numbers fell.
But not dashing Dan Edwards of the Australian Council of Educational Research who, although surprised the figure had risen again despite declining international student numbers, has quite correctly pointed out domestic graduate numbers would start to be boosted next year as a result of the government’s demand-driven higher education system, which eliminated limits on undergraduate enrolments.
He said universities had ramped up their enrolments from 2010, and the first of these additional enrolments could be expected to graduate next year.
National Centre for Vocational Education Research head, the erudite Tom Karmel, says he expects the government’s 40% attainment target to be achieved in line with long-term demographic change as the proportion of the population attending university has been high for a long time.
But he said degree attainment will be lopsided, with women well above the 40% target and men below, because men had more alternatives to university.
For example, you don’t find too many women electricians.
And even fewer women plumbers.
