Innovation Management
SKILL ECOSYSTEMS EXEMPLAR | Belinda Smith, SmithComyn & Associates for TAFE NSW ICVET
This case study explores the early stages of a partnership that could lead to a skill ecosystem. Here South Western Sydney Institute customised the TAFE NSW Graduate Certificate in Management of Innovation for a group of local small and medium enterprises (SMEs). TAFE teachers and industry representatives undertook the course together, working collaboratively in groups on workplace projects. The success of these workplace projects has strengthened teacher confidence in working with industry as well as providing the space for innovation to occur amongst teachers and local industry. This case study is a potential model that could be rolled out to seed meaningful TAFE industry partnerships.
The project focused on Manufacturing and Engineering SMEs located in Parramatta, Liverpool, Holroyd, Fairfield, and Macarthur. The TAFE NSW Graduate Certificate in Management of Innovation was customised to bring content relevant to local industry into a flexible learning framework, and foster a culture of learning to learn.
Impetus
The manufacturing industry is facing skill shortages, changing work practices and a contracting number of people staying in the industry. At the same time, South Western Sydney Institute was experiencing a decline in the number of enrolments resulting in pressures to reallocate resources and difficulties in recruiting experienced staff. This climate led the Institute to start discussions with industry to develop mutually beneficial strategies to overcome an unsustainable situation.
A crucial aspect of the project was the course project that has resulted in some innovative products and processes being produced by and for the companies involved. Close relationships with the companies are continuing to develop because of five successful micro projects. Ideally these people will form the core of a skill ecosystem partnership.
Five innovative projects were conducted, involving course participants and companies or industry organisations. These demonstrated that the transfer of knowledge from those undertaking the Graduate Certificate in Management of Innovation to the workplace was successful. These early successes have galvanised industry and TAFE to work collaboratively on other projects.
Multi-firm networks, whilst in their infancy, are being developed with South Western Sydney Institute of TAFE as the main driver. The long-term nature of collaborative projects generally means outcomes are not always immediate, though in this project there have been a number of early successes.
5 Micro Projects
- One of the course projects occurred at Custom Coaches, which, as the largest manufacturer of bus and coach bodies in Australia, has the capacity to produce up to 500 bus and coach bodies per year. The project required the design of standard operating procedures for knock-down bus kits (a flat pack), which could be assembled in each of their plants around Australia. The course project tested the development of innovation in work processes. Custom Coaches has never manufactured a CKD bus before. The development and manufacture of this type of bus will bring to the organisation a new complete set of innovative work procedures.
- The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has recently lifted the standard
on production of aircraft wheels and brakes and BF Goodrich is one of the
suppliers of wheels and brakes to Qantas. Two students developed a program
for upskilling existing workers in the BF Goodrich Sydney plant.
During the development of this upskilling process, the trainees negotiated with all parties (Qantas, CASA, and BF Goodrich) to develop the training program. BF Goodrich and CASA are very happy with the training program and are looking at delivering it throughout other plants in Australia.
- Broens Industries with three divisions - Aerospace, Precision and Kirby - is one of the most progressive organisations in the South Western Sydney region. They are engaged in world-class toolmaking and machine manufacture and are constantly seeking to expand their business both within and beyond Australia.
Graduate Certificate students from Broens Industries and staff from the South Western Sydney Institute of TAFE worked to establish a joint industry training partnership. This partnership will train in-house approximately 12 to 15 people each year in the first year of the metal trade course. TAFE supplied the qualified teachers and Broens trained the teachers in the new technologies before training the apprentices. Broens supplied the premises, the infrastructure, and the people to be trained.
- Two Graduate Certificate students developed a package covering the range of Associate Diplomas, Diplomas, Apprenticeships and Traineeships and identified career pathways being offered in the metals and manufacturing industry. The package is directed at young people. It includes career information about the current skill shortage of qualified people in the manufacturing sector. In association with Australian Industry Group (AIG) this project assessed the types of information that had been previously developed and utilised these as the basis for developing a better product.
- The National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) is predicting that they will employ around 400 to 500 apprentices next year; this is an increase of around 60% on last year’s figures. This projected increase means that there will be a need for qualified trainers to meet demand. The project gave electrical contractors the opportunity to complete a Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training. TAFE will also benefit from a pool of trained people to draw on as part time teachers.
Communication
Initially the Graduate Certificate in Management of Innovation was targeted exclusively at business during the project, however, the course was opened up to TAFE teachers. This proved to be particularly valuable as it enabled teachers to develop close links with various companies and to familiarise themselves with current industry practice and new technologies. The business people on the course noted that they developed a greater appreciation of TAFE expertise through collaboration.
Culture change
Cultural change amongst teachers and staff at the Institute is a considerable outcome for the project. Many staff did not believe TAFE should be involved in some of the activities. Through significant change management efforts undertaken by TAFE managers, these staff members were brought into the projects and are now supportive of the outcomes.
Developing a sense of trust in their own professionalism and initial success is creating enthusiasm to continue developing partnerships and collaboration. South Western Sydney Institute of TAFE is interested in developing the capability of the organisation to engage industry and meet industry training requirements. Capacity building initiatives are ongoing and partnerships have commenced through this project and staff will capitalise on the industry enthusiasm that has been generated.
See also
Skill Ecosystems/Industry Partnerships | A-Z Resources
PARTNERSHIPS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP (Research & Exemplars)
