FSO Project - Digital Knowledge Exchange
VET Workforce Development
The Digital Knowledge Exchange brings together states and territories to advance the digital workforce.
The project is driven by four key themes:
Diversity and Inclusion
Vocational Education and Training (VET) Workforce
Learning and Training Pathways
Industry Engagement
VET Workforce Development
Supporting the Vocational Education and Training (VET) workforce, this theme enhances educators' digital skills to better integrate technology into teaching practices and support students in developing digital capabilities.
Commonwealth initiatives
National-level VET workforce initiatives are aimed at improving digital skills across Australia. This includes government policies, funding opportunities, and collaborative efforts between federal and state governments to promote digital capability and workforce development.
VET Workforce Blueprint
The VET Workforce Blueprint emphasises the importance of digital and technology skills integration within the VET sector. It includes actions to develop digital capability frameworks and professional development programs to ensure educators can effectively use technology in their teaching practices.
Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) VET Workforce Study
The VET Workforce Study by JSA highlights the need for digital skills and technology in the VET sector. It provides data and evidence to support the development of digital capabilities among VET educators, ensuring they are equipped to meet the demands of a technology-driven workforce.
Digital Priorities and Initiatives across States and Territories
Priorities and initiatives across the Digital Knowledge Exchange network of State and Territory Government departments.
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NSWEduChat
The NSW Department of Education has introduced NSWEduChat, a generative AI tool designed to enhance educational experiences in schools. This tool, integrates AI into classrooms, includes advanced safeguards like content filtering and topic restriction to ensure a safe learning environment. NSWEduChat encourages critical thinking by guiding students to reason through questions rather than providing direct answers. The trial began in Term 1, 2024, with 16 schools and expanded to 50 schools by Term 2, reflecting positive feedback and high engagement levels.
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Teacher training and growing the VET workforce
The ACT Skills Action Plan 2024-28 highlights the ACT Government commitment to building Australia’s digital capability. This commitment includes supporting the professional development of teachers/trainers to ensure they are equipped to deliver relevant and up-to-date technology education including strengthening the VET workforce.
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EdChat
EdChat is a generative AI chatbot developed by the SA Department for Education in partnership with Microsoft. EdChat is enhancing the technological skills of educators and their students. Tailored support from the department is empowering teachers and students to use EdChat in a way that suits their specific circumstances and requirements. They have been using EdChat in a variety of ways, from generating ideas to streamlining tasks.
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VET Development Centre
The VET Development Centre (VDC) was established in 2005 by the Victorian Government to enhance the professional standing of the VET Sector workforce. VDC offers continuous professional learning for all VET staff, including webinars, workshops, and self-paced eLearning. Topics include digital badges, digital skills for education, learners' digital support, and integrating Generative AI into assessments.
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Cyber Security Micro-credential for Educators
The Cyber Security Micro Credentialing program, developed by ACS, aims to train 250 teachers in cyber security concepts. It includes four modules: multi-factor authentication, cyber threats and vulnerabilities, digital footprint, and privacy principles. The program is co-designed with industry partner Intersoft Security and aligns with the Australian digital technologies curriculum. It prepares educators to help students identify, manage, and prevent cyber threats in their personal lives.
Case Studies
Examples of successful digital skills initiatives, showcasing impact, insights and best practices.
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Transforming the training system amid the rise of generative AI
“Supporting both learners and staff is paramount across all sectors — be it schools, vocational education, or higher education. This support must extend beyond basic digital literacy to encompass AI proficiency and confidence” - Cherie Diaz, Executive Director, Education Innovation, Western Sydney University.
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Teaching Digital Skills: Implications for VET Educators:
"Trainers also need mentoring in technical skills to support them to become proficient in using apps and tools and to get the most value from them" (NCVER, 2023, p. 15). NCVER. (2023). Teaching digital skills: Implications for VET educators. National Centre for Vocational Education Research.
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Effective teaching and learning: teacher perspectives on what works best for whom
“I don't just put up the video and then walk away for another week and then put up another one. Communication is really critical during that period and I usually record a 5 or 10 minute talking head video regularly once or twice a week just to let them know what's coming up, to invite any questions, anything they didn't understand. Communication is the key there, especially with asynchronous delivery, where you're not seeing the students face to face in a classroom.” - Focus group participant, Teacher, Information technology
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Turning cybersecurity lessons into a VET career
“Even though I had a lot of prior knowledge, I never had a day walking into the classroom where I felt as though I wasn’t going to learn something new or exciting,” - Steve Cranage, Trainer and Assessor.
FSO projects and resources
Developed by Future Skills Organisation (FSO) to support digital skills development.
Finance, Technology and Business VET Workforce Activity
FSO recognises the growing importance of finance, tech, and business skills across industries, including the need for enhanced digital literacy in the VET workforce. FSO collaborates with other JSCs to identify needs and opportunities. Research and initiatives are developed with input from VET stakeholders, industry, governments, and community groups. A Technical Committee includes representatives from RTOs, large employers, and peak bodies.
Growing Australia's Digital Workforce Report
Today, all workers are expected to be digitally informed, at a minimum. There is also an increasing expectation for workers to be digitally enabled to perform their job functions effectively and efficiently. The Growing Australia's Digital Workforce report highlights the need for upskilling teachers and trainers to deliver digital training across various qualifications.
