Innovation
Would you like to create a competitive edge?
Do you need to train to updated technology?
Is is time to try new or untapped market places?
Are you concerned about being environmentally friendly?
Is it time to try something different that will add value to your business?
On this page:
Benefits of innovation
- Utilises new technology
- Increases productivity
- Drives business growth
- Delivers improved commercial outcomes
- Provides a competitive advantage
- More efficient management practices
- More fruitful engagement with market and customers
- More likely to attract outside investors
- Increases staff engagement and lead to increased commitment and improved performance.
Scenario
NSW and federal government agencies offer advice, guidance and possible funding for
- Research and development
- Planning
- Workplace and systems reorganisation
- Customised vocational training
For example:
A business wants to 're-engineer' its processes to be environmentally friendly through energy efficiency. The business is aware of the technology that will be needed but is not sure what is involved from a regulatory point of view. Training in new processes and technology will be needed, but the business is unsure what is available in Australia and what it would cost.
Government assistance could cover:
|
Environmental regulation Working with other partners |
Help in identifying environmental regulation requirements and how to address them; possible funding assistance to work with other partners in developing and implementing a system that can be used by other businesses. |
| Energy efficiency training packages |
Funding of energy efficiency training packages; negotiating training to meet the new business needs. Funding is available through the Energy Efficiency Training Program in partnership with DECCW. |
|
New technology Assistance to purchase equipment Marketing |
Possible funding assistance towards the new technology based on number of people to be employed; non financial and financial assistance to purchase equipment and market the new product or process. |
| New product develop |
Research assistance with new product development. |
|
Workforce development Up-skilling staff Train new staff |
Assistance with workforce development and vocational training for a variety of skills needs - including managers, supervisors, operators, and trainees. STAR, State Training Services |
How we can help
The role of State Training Services is to manage quality vocational training for NSW.
We can help you by
- Working with your business to pinpoint the skills that will be required
- Advising you what training courses are available, both funded and unfunded
- Assisting and providing some funding to develop customised training if required
- Liaising with training organisations regarding delivery of the training
- Funding approved registered training organisations to provided training
- Recommending other agencies that may be able to assist.
Talk to one of our Training Services Managers - ph 13 28 11.
Case Studies
Have an idea but don't know how to start?
Want to know some of the pitfalls to avoid?
Interested in research on vocational education initiatives?
Read some of the projects and case studies that have run over the last few years. Check out:
- The Board of Vocational Education and Training (BVET) sponsors reseach, case studies and pilot projects in vocational education.
- Targeting Skills Needs in Regions (TSNR) Programme is a joint Commonwealth-State government program designed to help the states and territories address skills needs in regions and industries of strategic importance to the Australian economy. Read the project synopses and reports.
- Skill ecosystem readings, demonstration projects and reports.
Skill ecosystems - partnering for innovation and growth
What is a skill ecosystem?
The term 'skill ecosystem' refers to the collaboration of businesses, individuals and educational organisations to generate innovation, expansion and growth in an industry or region.
Find out more about the skill ecosystem approach and its applicability to the Australian workforce - Skills in Context.
Interacting factors in a skill ecosystem:
The success of a skill ecosystem depends on strong, reinforcing linkages between different elements including:
- the firms' business strategies - their products, services and target markets
- the business environment - competitive pressures, inter-firm relationships, access to finance
- the legislative and regulatory framework, and the influence of government policies
- capital investment and the technology in use
- employment relations and the operation of labour markets
- work organisation and job design
- the capacity of the education and training system and its ability to meet industry's and workers' needs.
Practical examples:
The skill ecosystem concept was put into practice in Australian with a series of 9 demonstration projects funded by a joint state-commonwealth program which tested:
- how VET could be an innovation partner in enterprises
- Reshaping jobs to adress specific labour markets
- Quality improvement across a supply chain
- Innovative responses to skills and labour shortages.
Learn more about the Skill Ecosystem National Program, its projects and outcomes.
