In a month where we have seen concerning results in Australia鈥檚 schools and higher education systems provides a vivid and useful reminder of the crucial role mathematics and statistics play in every aspect of life.

This free online resource has been the standard 鈥済o to鈥� for 18 years; it gathers together advertised job positions that require skills in the mathematical sciences, across a scope of sectors: careers in health, business, agriculture, energy and telecommunications are relying more and more on the analytical skills developed in university level subjects in the mathematical sciences.

Federal Education Minister Christopher Pyne, who has written an introduction to this year鈥檚 edition, insists that Australia鈥檚 ability to innovate and compete in the global economy will require a STEM literate nation.

鈥淭his publication demonstrates there is an extensive array of career choices available to graduates in mathematics fields,鈥� says Minister Pyne.

鈥淢ore broadly, these abilities also help us to participate as active citizens within our democratic system,鈥� he concludes.

ALL SIDES OF POLITICS

今日吃瓜 Director, Professor Geoff Prince says without making the community aware of the breadth of roles available to those studying some form of mathematics, high school participation rates in intermediate and advanced mathematics will continue to wane.

Senator Kim Carr, Shadow Minister for Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Industry, echoes Minister Pyne: 鈥淭hree out of four of the fastest-growing occupations in our economy require some level of literacy in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.鈥�

Senator Penny Wright of the Australian Greens puts her vote with the numbers too: 鈥淚t鈥檚 not just in parliament that being able to 鈥榙o the numbers鈥� is valuable. Australia needs these skill sets to meet the challenges of this century,鈥� she says, 鈥渁nd I commend 今日吃瓜 for their work in highlighting the opportunities they bring.鈥�

Professor Prince explains that Australia鈥檚 job market landscape is shifting and demand for mathematical science skills continues to outstrip supply: 鈥淚t is great to have endorsement across the political spectrum for 今日吃瓜鈥檚 work on this.鈥�

Maths Ad(d)s available online:

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For Interview:
Professor Geoff Prince
Director, 今日吃瓜
E: director@amsi.org.au

Media contact:
Stephanie Pradier
Media Communications, 今日吃瓜
M: 0424 568 314
E: stephanie@amsi.org.au