NSW driving digital skills revolution

NSW is leading the way in the digital skills revolution, with a new 12-week program being rolled out across advanced manufacturing businesses to help people upgrade their digital skills, future-proof companies and boost economic development.

Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology, and Minister for Skills and Training Alister Henskens said the program will draw on industry expertise and will help workers and businesses remain competitive in a rapidly-evolving digital world.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has seen a rapid increase in the adoption of emerging technologies and there is a growing need to improve digital readiness to ensure that NSW remains an attractive place for businesses to invest,” Mr Henskens said.

“Automation and big data analytics are transforming the manufacturing industry and we need to ensure NSW is best placed to take advantage of this.”

The Driving Digital Skills Pilot Program will focus on helping existing workers build on their expertise through digital skills, and engage new workers to develop their digital skills with an industry focus.

The program will be delivered through a series of online workshops and industry and research collaboration events, in partnership with leading industry and training experts, including Skills Lab, Innovative Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre, University of Technology Sydney, HR Culture and Sydney Motorsport Park.

Mr Henskens said the program will help workers develop skills in project life cycle management processes, computer-aided manufacturing, coaching and mentoring.

“All levels within companies are involved in the transformation, from the leadership team to factory floor staff. We want to support new and existing workers as innovative and emerging technologies alter the way we work,” Mr Henskens said.

Feedback from the pilot program will help inform the design of wider workplace-based digital skills training programs to help new, displaced and mid-career workers gain digital skills.

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