Active cross-sector projects
Digital transformation
The AISC established a Digital Transformation Expert Panel to advise on workforce and vocational skills needs. This includes opportunities arising from Industry 4.0 and evolving technologies such as robotics, drones and remote operation systems. The Panel considered what’s already working well, both here and internationally, and consulted with industry to understand ‘how Australia’s vocational education and training (VET) system can most effectively respond to digital change currently underway across industry and its impact on the nation’s workforce’.
For more information, visit the Digital Skills Formation website, managed by Australian Industry Standards.
Consumer engagement via online and social media
The key aim of the project was to consult with a range of stakeholders and industries to identify the common skills needs of various industries in relation to consumer engagement through online and social media. Findings from the consultations will be used to inform the update of future Training Package products and ensure skills training is in line with workforce needs. Consultations with industry stakeholders have been completed and the Final Case for Change has been submitted to the AISC for endorsement.
For more information and to access the Final Case for Change, visit the SkillsIQ website.
Completed cross-sector projects
Environmental sustainability
This project focused on emerging developments in environmental sustainability. Including how industry and occupational skill needs for environmental sustainability can be addressed through the VET system. Its aim is, to identify skills needs shared by multiple industry sectors, related to environmentally sustainable products, manufacturing and waste processes, sustainable energy production, and the natural environment.
Following consultations with the IRCs, particularly related to the skill standards and qualifications for which they are responsible, the Environmental Sustainability Expert Panel identified significant challenges inherent with this project. The project produced a Case for Change, which proposed changes to training package units of competency reflecting current and emerging practices in environmental sustainability across multiple industries. This included reducing the duplication of units of competency that have arisen from a siloed approach to addressing these skills. Based on these findings, a report, including recommendations was submitted to the AISC for consideration.
For more information and to view the Environmental Sustainability Expert Panel Report, visit the Skills Impact website.
Big data
This project investigated the emerging developments in big data skills, particularly in relation to data management, data analytics and data-driven decision-making. It identified related skills needs shared by multiple industry sectors. This project intended to significantly reduce duplication across the national VET system, helping to deliver a future-fit Big Data workforce to organisations across multiple industries. In line with the Case for Endorsement, the AISC approved the development of nine new big data cross-sector units and two new skill sets, housed in the Business Services (BSB) Training Package.
For more information and to view the Case for Endorsement, visit the PwC's Skills for Australia website.
Cybersecurity
This project sought to reduce duplication across the national VET system by reviewing current and emerging developments in cybersecurity skills, particularly in relation to data confidentiality, protection and privacy. As recommended by the Case for Endorsement, the AISC approved the development of eight new cybersecurity cross-sector units, housed in the Business Services (BSB) Training Package.
For more information and to view the Case for Endorsement, visit the PwC's Skills for Australia website.
Supply chains
This project examined the implications of major changes to skills requirements, occurring both across and within supply chains. In particular, this project focused on changes driven by automation, robotics, big data and other new technologies. These disruptive technologies have compelled supply chain related industries to innovate and find new efficiencies to meet consumer demand and remain competitive. This project sought to develop skills sets and units of competency that enable this innovation, and which were applicable to a range of industry sectors. In line with the Case for Endorsement, the AISC approved sixteen new supply chain cross-sector units of competency and ten new skill sets, housed in the Transport and Logistics (TLI) training package.
For more information, visit the Australian Industry Standards website.
Teamwork and communication
This project evaluated existing skills gaps, and the benefits/risks of developing generic units for teamwork and communication. The project aimed to provide an evidence-based case along with industry support for common ‘teamwork’ and ‘communication’ units that can be used across multiple industries. The AISC approved the development of three new teamwork and two new communication cross-sector units. These five units of competency are now housed in the Business Services (BSB) Training Package.
For more information and to view the Case for Endorsement, visit the PwC's Skills for Australia website.
Inclusion of people with disability
This project sought to explore how the development of training packages could increase the participation of people with disability in VET and the workplace. The project aimed to equip vocational educators, employers and customer service providers with the skills and knowledge they need to better include people with disability in education, employment and service contexts. It was also the intention to reduce duplication across the national VET system through the development of common training components on disability-related matters that can be used across multiple industries. The AISC approved the development of four new disability cross-sector units now housed in the Business Services (BSB) Training Package, and two units that were added to the Training and Education (TAE) Training Package.
For more information and to view the Case for Endorsement, visit the PwC's Skills for Australia website.
Other training package development projects
COVID-19 Emergency Response Sub-committee
The AISC has ensured Australia’s national training system is well positioned to address the workforce challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Emergency Response Sub-Committee (the sub-committee) was established on 3 April 2020 under the direction of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Skills Council. Operating until 31 December 2020, the sub-committee engaged with industry, government and the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector to help provide national training solutions to fill critical skill gaps and achieve the best outcomes for industry, students, employers and job seekers. This included enabling fast-tracked adjustments to qualifications and training package requirements, ensuring that Australia’s VET sector could quickly respond to areas of workforce and skill needs, thus supporting economic recovery.
For more information on the AISC’s response to COVID-19, visit the AISC Website.
Training packages under review
The National Schedule details the training package review and development work currently underway and commissioned by the AISC following advice from its network of IRCs.
For more information on AISC initiatives and any recent announcements please visit the AISC website.