Australian universities must provide more places for poorer students to meet future labour market demands, report says

Giving more access to young people from lower socio-economic and outer suburban areas is key as amount of jobs requiring degrees rapidly rises, report says

Australian universities will need to make far more places available for students from lower socio-economic and outer suburban areas in coming decades to equip the future labour force with necessary skills, a new report has found.

The Australian Universities Accord Interim Report estimates that 55% of Australian jobs could require a university degree by 2050 and recommends “bold, long-term change” in order to meet the coming challenges.

Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup