Chisholm Institute built a staged, human-centred model to develop AI capability: moving from a foundational prompt-a-thon to a hackathon that produced real prototypes now being developed.
At a glance
Organisation: Chisholm Institute
Target audience: Educators, learning designers, IT, quality, and administration staff.
Timeframe: September-November 2025
Primary goal: Build AI confidence and capability with VET educators and staff through a staged model of AI literacy, experimentation, and applied innovation.
Delivery model: Capability-uplift sequenced over two months: prompt-a-thon introducing fundamentals; two-day hackathon applying design thinking.
Tools used: Copilot, Copilot Studio, prompting frameworks, design thinking
Governance: Delivered by Chisholm Institute in partnership with Microsoft.
Key outcomes
- High participant advocacy: 95% of prompt-a-thon participants reported they were highly likely to recommend the training.
- Significant uplift in AI and digital capability: Net Promoter Scores show strong gains in knowledge of AI and software applications. For example, the AI in Vocational Education workshop improved from an NPS of -57 before the session to +6 after.
- Two AI-enabled prototypes progressing toward development: Demonstrating early translation of ideas into practical solutions.
- Stronger cross-functional collaboration: Teams ranging from education support to delivery worked together on shared challenges.
- A clear, repeatable model for staged AI capability uplift: Embedded in Chisholm’s Our Learning Journey Strategy and supporting measurable improvements in staff capability.
The challenge
Chisholm needed a structured, safe, and scalable model that built AI literacy first, then confidence, and innovation. The challenge was to create a progression that helped staff use AI meaningfully, ethically, and creatively, while ensuring secure digital environments, reducing apprehension, and supporting experimentation across diverse roles.
About the initiative
Chisholm collaborated with its Professional Educator College – an initiative designed to build capability across the VET educator workforce within Chisholm and its partner institutes.
As part of the broader digital learning journey for staged AI capability uplift, a series of activities were delivered, including an AI in Vocational Education workshop, alongside two key events:
1. AI prompt‑a‑thon
A hands‑on introduction to prompting, agent design, and Microsoft’s Responsible AI Standards, facilitated by an accredited trainer.
Fifty staff from teaching, learning design, IT, quality, and professional services built foundational skills, experimented with Copilot, and developed confidence in applying AI to their roles.
2. AI hackathon
Two months later, a two‑day AI hackathon, supported by Microsoft experts, was staged. Six cross‑functional teams tackled ‘VET Sector Wicked Problems’ using design thinking and Copilot Studio.
Pre‑event lunchbox sessions prepared participants with design thinking and presentation skills.
The hackathon emphasised creativity, collaboration, and psychological safety, with teams creating names, avatars, and even anthems to build energy and cohesion. Each team featured six staff members, plus Professional Educator College and executive representatives.
Teams framed problems, ideated, prototyped, and pitched solutions to a judging panel.
“Prompt-a-thon really opened my eyes to what’s possible with AI. I now feel confident using Copilot to create engaging content and streamline everyday tasks.”
– Ellen, Prompt-a-thon participant
“It was clear that the staff who progressed through both events relished the pathway. They first built skills to interact, and the art of prompting gave them the confidence to go further towards building agents. The Prompt-a-thon was a stepping stone to exploring and flexing skills in the Hackathon.”
– David Christy, Manager, Professional Educator College
The impact
- Staff moved from literacy to innovation: Within two months, participants progressed from foundational prompting skills to the development of applied AI prototypes.
- Cross‑functional teams delivered real solutions: Six mixed‑discipline teams produced actionable prototypes addressing genuine operational challenges.
- Participants reported increased readiness: Staff described greater curiosity, comfort, and capability in integrating AI into everyday work.
- Partnership strengthened: The events deepened collaboration between Chisholm and Microsoft, ensuring alignment with evolving tools and best practice.
- A culture of experimentation grew: Secure digital sandpits and safe‑to‑fail environments encouraged creative risk‑taking and new ways of working.
- New opportunities emerged: The work sparked broader conversations, including exploring an AI‑supported concierge service to streamline educator onboarding and free leaders for higher‑value tasks.
Lessons learned
- Staged capability uplift — literacy, confidence, innovation — accelerates adoption.
- Design thinking helps staff move quickly from abstract ideas to practical solutions.
- Agent design readily demonstrates value by reducing administrative load.
- Diversity across teams strengthens creativity, the quality of solutions, and suggests longer-term, less-quantifiable gains.
- Psychological safety and secure digital environments are essential for experimentation.
- Strong vendor and industry partnerships ensure staff remain current and supported.
- ‘Prompting’ skills improve rapidly with structure, clarity, and hands‑on practice.
Challenges faced
- Translating AI potential into role‑specific practice requires ongoing contextualisation.
- Some prototypes require additional resources or technical integration to progress.
- Sustaining momentum beyond events requires structured follow‑up and alignment with broader capability plans.
- Ensuring equitable access to AI tools and support across all staff groups remains a priority.
“The event offered a hands-on introduction to generative AI tools, showing how Copilot can transform day-to-day tasks and educational workflows for educators.”
– Kriti, Prompt-a-thon participant
Next steps
Progress has started on the development of the two winning prototypes:
- The Green Matrix – a Copilot‑enabled educator capability mapper supporting capability uplift and retention.
- The Bug Free Bandits – a streamlined validation workflow, now in early‑stage development. The team even created a song summarising their solution, reflecting the collaborative energy and creativity the event unlocked.
The two-step process and AI initiatives are being integrated into Chisholm’s Digital Readiness Plan, with scaled Copilot agent development across the institute. Insights are being shared through TAFE networks, the Professional Educator College, and the FSO Skills Accelerator-AI to avoid duplication and accelerate uplift across the VET sector.
“We reached out to TAFE Queensland to learn what worked for them, and we would do the same for any TAFE that wants to come on this journey. Opportunities to solve sector-wide problems that can be shared are exciting.”
– David Christy, Manager, Professional Educator College
About the organisation
Chisholm Institute is a leading Victorian TAFE committed to building a future‑ready workforce through innovation, collaboration, and digital capability uplift. Its strategic focus on AI‑enabled practice positions it as a sector leader in applied innovation and workforce transformation.
Chisholm’s Professional Educator College is underpinned by the Educator Passport, a platform that helps institutes track educator capability, vocational competency, and teaching currency.
How are you using this content?
We’d love to hear how you’re using this content in your organisation, along with any questions or feedback you might have. Filling in this form also helps us track reach and understand the real impact of these resources.