Smart Places – Capability Uplift

Introduction

The top 2 skills people will need in the next 10 years will be digital literacy and data literacy (Forbes 2022). To ensure government continues to meet the needs of our communities, we need to make sure the public sector is equipped with the right skills and capabilities. 

In 2023, Department of Customer Service carried out a research project to identify the skills needed to harness smart technologies. 

This will help us provide appropriate training and attract and retain capable people to the public service.

Challenge

Public sector workers need new skills so they can use new connected technologies to improve government services and outcomes for communities across NSW.

Regardless of whether people work in strategy, policy, leadership, infrastructure services, or frontline service delivery, some new digital skills will be needed so we can keep pace with community expectations and needs.  

The skills include:    

• data and insights analysis  

• using spatial mapping tools  

• information technology  

• understanding cybersecurity  

• using Artificial Intelligence responsibly   

• telecommunications  

• building smart technology.

Solution

In 2023, a research project was delivered to: 

• identify existing learning resources that support Smart Places capabilities   

• position smart places within existing capability frameworks

• identify gaps in existing learning resources required for smart places.

Outcomes

Smart Places outcome areas:

• skills, jobs and development.

The government has a clearer understanding of:  

• the capabilities are required for smart places 

• additional resources and actions required 

• changes needed to support our future workforce.

Resources

Want to implement a similar project? Visit our Smart Places Playbook for help.

Explore other smart projects in NSW