Ground-breaking skilled-workforce initiatives developed and delivered by RDA Hunter and its regional partners continue to attract international attention …

Regional Development Australia Hunter’s skilled workforce programs have been widely recognised for their success in delivering a talent pool with current, industry-relevant capabilities, particularly in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths). Indeed, one of our multi-disciplinary pre-vocational programs, STEMship, was cited by the OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation & Development) as an example of best-practice for employer involvement in creating skills programs. The OECD evidenced STEMship’s tailored approach to industry-led workforce development as key to its success.

RDA Hunter’s industry-led suite of programs have seen over 50 business partners connect with at least 60 high schools, TAFE NSW and the University of Newcastle since 2009. Working with the likes of BAE Systems Australia, Lockheed Martin Australia, Ampcontrol, Varley Group and a range of locally based SMEs, RDA Hunter has built a solid reputation for successfully promoting pathways to genuine jobs in the Hunter’s large and growing defence industry.

This reputation recently caught the attention of the Centre for International Cooperation in KRIVET, the Korean Research Institute for Vocational Education & Training. Director, Dr Soorin Yoon, invited RDA Hunter CEO and Director of Regional Development, Trevor John, to travel to Seoul to address the 17th Global Human Resources Forum (GHR2022): the foremost open event for HR educators, economists, CEOs, VET (Vocational Education and Training) researchers, academic professionals and the public in Korea.

Korea’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Education provided scene-setting remarks to the Forum, pointing to the need for reforms in education and introducing priorities for the future of Korea. Themes included: developing and attracting talent to secure leading-edge technologies, supporting regional colleges to become regional hubs in support of regional growth, and re-positioning VET in the education system to deliver 21st Century talent – delivering skills such as creativity, critical thinking, teamwork and communication.

Invited to present in the session How Can We Nurture the Future Local Talents in the Age of Grand Transition, Trevor progressed discussion of the Deputy Prime Minister’s themes citing economic outcomes and lessons gained from RDA Hunter’s pre-employment programs. He provided examples from our Skilled Workforce Initiatives to overview how RDA Hunter and our industry and education partners co-operate to develop a work-ready workforce with 21st Century skills.

Trevor’s presentation included:

  • RDA Hunter’s pipeline of STEM and Skills programs;
  • Contributions these programs make to job creation, skills development and economic revitalisation in the region;
  • Examples of the success of RDA Hunter’s workforce development programs.

In appreciation of Trevor John’s participation in GHR22, President of KRIVET, Dr Jangsoo Ryu, observed the “in-depth discussions on future talent development in the era of the Grand Transition (at) the Forum, confirmed that (the task to) develop and retain professionals is inevitable, and innovative approaches to the education system in the age of the Grand Transition are necessary.”

On the back of GHR22, KRIVET has announced that it will continue to form global partnerships, seek various policy alternatives to solve issues related to talent, education and training and cooperate with diverse domestic and foreign institutions.

RDA Hunter will stay connected with KRIVET to provide advice and support about our proven programs and methodologies.

Disclosure: The National RDA Program does not support overseas travel. Trevor John attended the Forum with the financial and logistical assistance of the GHR2022 supporters and coordinators: the Korean Ministry of Education, the Korea Economic Daily and KRIVET.

** Photo credit: Global HR Forum https://ghrforum.hankyung.com/

GLOBAL HR FORUM

Global HR Forum has partnered this year with Korean Council for University Education and the Korea Student Aid Foundation (KOSAF).

In the past, Global HR Forum has brought together global leaders to speak on various topics ranging from Global HR Strategies, HR Solutions, Education, Digital Transformation, ESG, Talent Development, and Artificial Intelligence. Some past notable speakers include Bill Gates, Bill Clinton, Jack Welch, and many others.

The Forum champions Global Talent, Global Prosperity!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GHRForum/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghrforum/?hl=en

ABOUT KRIVET

KRIVET is a Korea national policy research institute under the Prime Minister, founded in 1997. The main policy research projects that the KRIVET conducts include national human resources development, vocational education and training, qualification systems, education and training program development, and evaluation of vocational training institutes and training programs.

ABOUT RDA HUNTER’S SKILLED WORKFORCE INITIATIVE

RDA Hunter leads and facilitates collaborations between industry, education, research and government to help deliver a strong local economy, investment, jobs growth and workforce development in the Hunter region.

As part of its future-focused charter to improve the region’s international competitiveness – which is dependent on a skilled workforce – RDA Hunter partners industry and education to develop and implement industry-led, life-stage specific, workforce-skilling programs that prepare students for jobs in Hunter industry.

RDA Hunter’s industry and education partnership initiatives have been cited by the Australian government, national education institutions and the OECD as exemplars of industry-led workforce skilling excellence and our implementation models are being emulated Australia-wide.