ICVET Skill Ecosystems Project for TAFE NSW
Skill ecosystems are communities of interrelated and interacting organisations working as a coherent entity to increase opportunities for sustainability, innovation and growth. They may also be thought of as a complex partnership.
Economic global challenges are compelling national governments to pursue new approaches to economic development involving local industry clusters. Skill Ecosystems are seen as being exemplars of such collaborations and include an important role for VET training organisations. Skill ecosystems support new opportunities for both industry and regional improvement. Thus the national Skills Ecosystem Project (managed by NSW Department of Education and Training) has funded a number of seed projects in this area.
VET involvement in these industry clusters or skill ecosystems will continue to grow.
In response to, and building on the work of the Skills Ecosystem project ICVET has been investigating the implications of skill ecosystems for TAFE NSW in particular by:
- Identifying definitions, and essential elements for the success and sustainability of a skill ecosystem
- Identifying and documenting local TAFE NSW, and international exemplars of skill ecosystems. The model can be seen in operation at various stages of development in industry clusters.
- Investigating possible professional development implications for VET practitioners
- Showcase both TAFE NSW and international skill ecosystems exemplars on the ICVET website
- Awareness raised and discussion generated about skill ecosystems within TAFE NSW by provision of papers and resources through the ICVET website, and face to face eg at the The Learning Powerhouse Conference.
- Investigate implications and a range of possible strategies for knowledge sharing and professional development that may be useful for TAFE NSW Institutes.
Exemplars published to date:
Skill ecosystems in TAFE NSW, REVIEW | eZine July, 2006
Riverina Food and Wine Technology Centre, SKILL ECOSYSTEMS EXEMPLAR | eZine July, 2006
Sutherland Shire Hub for Economic Development (SSHED) Precinct, SKILL ECOSYSTEMS EXEMPLAR | eZine July, 2006
Innovation Management, SKILL ECOSYSTEMS EXEMPLAR | eZine July, 2006
New York - Garment Industry Development Corporation, INTERNATIONAL SKILL ECOSYSTEMS EXEMPLAR | eZine May, 2006
Sheep Cooperative Research Centre, SKILL ECOSYSTEMS EXEMPLAR | eZine May, 2006
TAFE NSW Western Institute - Shearer Training EXEMPLAR | eZine February 2006
The United Kingdom Automotive Academy and the Northwest Automotive Alliance INTERNATIONAL EXEMPLAR | eZine February 2006
Papers, articles and resources published to date:
Skill Ecosystems | A-Z Resources
SMITH, Belinda 2006, What makes a successful skill ecosystem? FEATURE | eZine February
This article discusses features that are typical of a successful skill ecosystem/partnership. (This article is a companion article to Skill Ecosystems in TAFE NSW which has accompanying case studies funded by ICVET, which will be published in the next eZine.)
SMITH, Belinda 2005, Skill Ecosystems and Regional Innovation: An Overview of Local and International Features
Paper presented at the ICVET Learning Powerhouse Conference, October 2005
SMITH, Belinda 2005, A Perspective on Skill Ecosystems REVIEW | eZine August
This article outlines the background and rationale giving rise to the skill ecosystem model, and draws out the implications for the VET providers.