The skill ecosystem national program is a joint state-federal program that develops and tests a new and dynamic framework for skills policy.
It supports partnership projects between trainers and industry that focus on improving workforce capacity and the use of skills at work. As well as education and training development needs, the projects address aspects of the workplace and industry environment that influence the development, application and replenishment of skills.
Funded projects involve multi-faceted interventions that may involve changes to work organisation, employment arrangements and business strategy as well as training design and delivery. In other words, projects seek to reinforce and sustain the whole ‘skill ecosystem’ – not just training.
This website and a range of other communication media and activities support the skill ecosystem project.
Three conferences have stimulated debate about workforce development, workplace learning and innovation and have showcased skill ecosystem projects.
The first phase of the project (2003 to 2006) involved:
a suite of nine national demonstration projects
information and online VET discussions forum
a professional learning strategy and the development of a community of practice
sustainability planning for the funded projects in partnership with state/territory and the federal governments
supporting state and territory innovation plans.
An evaluation of the projects funded during this phase led to a revised approach.
Changes were made to project funding criteria, project structure and to the central support provided to project teams. A National Advisory Commitee was set up to evaluate and advise projects and reflect on their policy implications.
In 2007 and 2008, the NSW Department of Education and Training developed new tools and resources about skill ecosystem and delivered a series of presentations about the approach. The aim was to summarise the lessons leanred from skill ecosystem projects and provide a clear methodology for doing skill ecosystem work.