Next generation of entrepreneurs ready to innovate

UTS Vice Chancellor Professor Attila Brungs has welcomed the Federal Government's Innovation Statement, saying it was a vital blueprint to build Australia's entrepreneurial and innovative talent.

Professor Brungs said the statement comes as UTS releases a major new survey of university students and recent graduates showing almost 40 per cent have either started their own business or are considering a startup or entrepreneurial career path.

The survey of almost 1300 current UTS students and recent graduates found the cohort strongly identified with entrepreneurialism and startups as appealing career options.

This is a major change from past expectations that the vast majority of graduates would progress to full-time employment in traditional workplaces as their preferred path.

The findings reinforce the need for the Federal Government's shift in policy and planning for the jobs of the future, which will be powered by digital technology and led by entrepreneurs and tech startups.

Professor Brungs said over a number of years UTS had been preparing its students for the changing nature of work and designing courses and learning to inspire entrepreneurship and innovation.

"The nature of work is changing rapidly. We know that young Australians are likely to have up to five career changes and 17 jobs in their lifetime," Professor Brungs said.

"We also know that the jobs of the future are changing rapidly with research telling us that up to 60 per cent of the jobs university students are currently studying for are likely to be automated in the future.

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