Scientist, engineers etc etc are already a part of the global economy. To a large extent one's country of training is of minor importance.

So in worrying about the supply of scientists one should look on the global scale. The global scene is of massive over supply hence the poor job prospects.

It is probably important that the Government keep funding such bodies as the CSIRO to ensure that clever,creative people who have made a wrong career choice are kept off the streets were there is no knowing what mischief they might get up to.

Good points, but there is more to it. There also needs to be a fusion between scholarship and practice. Recently, I conducted some research into new product development targeting US university marketing professors. 108 out of 108 professors had not developed a new prouduct in the "real world". At the same time, senior practitioners do not involve themselves in "academics" and seem apart from the scholarly process. Herein, an unfortunate dichonomy has evolved.

The sad reality is that the current situation will continue - until the economists themselves are outsourced.

I intend to promote tourism, retail, and real estate as careers for any children that I have in future.