Quad collaboration for STEM workforce growth
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In this publication, Luke Koslosky explains how the Quad can focus more on fostering STEM workforce growth across through international research collaboration, existing Quad agreements, and bilateral cooperation between member states.
Key points
- A sufficient science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce is a prerequisite for achieving the Quad’s technology-related policy objectives.
- Despite the vital need for STEM workers, we see shortages across many industries.
- There are levers available to foster STEM workforce growth across the Quad — international research collaboration, existing Quad agreements, and bilateral cooperation between member states offer existing means to increase STEM workforces within the Quad.
- While the Quad should make use of these levers, most of the work to train sufficient STEM talent must be done through domestic policy.
Policy recommendations
- Expand the existing Quad International Standards Cooperation Network to include assisting in the development and dissemination of workforce frameworks for critical emerging technologies.
- Government stakeholders, universities, research institutions, and private sector partners should increase research collaboration by creating: grants for joint research projects; scholarships and fellowships for visiting researchers and academic exchanges; and workshops and conferences.
- Maintain support for bilateral agreements between Quad member states with STEM workforce impacts and explore successful areas for multilateral expansion.
- Develop or update domestic STEM education and workforce strategies to meet labour demands of the 21st century.
About the series
This paper has been written for the Quad Tech Network Dialogue, as part of the Quad Tech Network (QTN) initiative. QTN is an initiative of the NSC, delivered with support from the Australian Government. It aims to establish and deepen academic and official networks linking the Quad nations – Australia, India, Japan, and the United States – in relation to the most pressing technology issues affecting the future security and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific.
