Why the National Skills Passport matters for learners, employers, and institutions.

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Does Australia currently have a National Skills Passport?

Australia does not currently have a National Skills Passport, although there are plans to create one. In September 2023, alongside the release of the Employment White Paper, the Australian Government announced it would develop a business case for one.

While Australia has platforms like MyEQuals and LinkedIn, these lack the regulated taxonomy and integration required to create a comprehensive solution. Existing systems are often fragmented, making it difficult to reliably track and verify diverse skills.

“This isn’t just about formal qualifications—it’s about recognising all forms of learning, from micro-credentials to practical skills, and presenting them in a way that is trusted, reliable, and useful for both individuals and employers,” TechnologyOne’s Peter Nikoletatos said during the webinar.

“A regulated taxonomy is critical. Without it, the data becomes fragmented and unreliable.

“This is where the National Skills Passport can set a global benchmark by establishing a single source of truth.”

Benefits for employees, employers, and institutions

The National Skills Passport has the potential to offer significant benefits to all stakeholders, such as:

• Learners: Simplifies transitions between education providers, reduces costs by enabling recognition of prior learning, and offers personalised pathways to address skill gaps.
• Employers: Provides reliable skills verification, streamlines recruitment processes, and enhances workforce planning.
• Institutions: Automates administrative processes, such as credit recognition and skills verification, improving efficiency and freeing resources for teaching and innovation.

“The Passport provides employers with a reliable way to assess skills and qualifications, making the process of hiring and workforce planning simpler and more efficient,” Nikoletatos said.

Risks and considerations

Despite its potential, implementing the National Skills Passport comes with challenges that must be addressed.

One of the primary concerns is data security and privacy. Ensuring that personal information is stored securely and shared only with authorised parties is critical.

As Nikoletatos pointed out during the webinar, reducing risks requires thoughtful design.

“It’s vital to reduce the probability of risks occurring. This means designing systems that are intuitive, integrated, and reduce administrative burdens, rather than adding to them,” he said.

Another challenge is adoption. Institutions, employers, and learners need to see clear value in using the Passport to ensure widespread uptake.

Nikoletatos pointed to the example of MyHealth Record, which was initially buoyed by the Pandemic, but has since largely been abandoned by practitioners due to its lack of intuitive design and limited information-sharing capabilities.

For good examples of how to implement such an idea, Australia could look overseas.

Interoperability, flexibility, security and privacy are cornerstones of a National Skills Passport

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Global insights and Australia’s opportunity

Countries like Singapore and members of the European Union offer valuable examples of how skills frameworks can succeed.

Singapore’s MySkillsFuture platform, for example, integrates skills, certifications, and career guidance, creating a one-stop shop for learners and employers. It has been live since 2017 and can be used by residents as young as 11 years old.

Europass, while older, highlights the importance of adaptability and alignment across systems. The Europass has been in place since the early 2000s, and its array of digital tools and services have helped eliminate high levels of job obsolescence.

“Singapore has mastered the integration of skills data,” Nikoletatos explained.

“They’ve created a one-stop shop that’s both comprehensive and intuitive. Australia can adapt these lessons to create a Passport that’s uniquely suited to our needs.”

“By learning from successful models like Europass and Singapore’s MySkillsFuture, Australia has the opportunity to create a globally respected framework for skills recognition, positioning itself as a leader in education and workforce innovation.”

Leveraging technology for success

The National Skills Passport is a great opportunity for Australia, and great software solutions, powered by Australian innovation, will be key to realising this vision.

“The development of a National Skills Passport is not merely a technological endeavour—it’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity to boost productivity, drive efficiency, make life simpler, and modernise Australia’s education and workforce systems,” Nikoletatos said.

“By harnessing the power of SaaS and embracing an integrated platform approach, the National Skills Passport can become a transformative tool that empowers individuals, fosters lifelong learning, and drives economic growth.”

TechnologyOne’s solutions, such as OneEducation and Digital Experience Platform (DxP), offer the scalability, integration, and simplicity needed to underpin this initiative

Building on existing infrastructure ensures minimal duplication and maximises the use of trusted systems already in place, creating a seamless experience for users.

For more information on how TechnologyOne supports education and workforce initiatives, explore our solutions or book a demo today.