At the heart of the Institute are our Fellows. Under the Overseas Applied Research Fellowship Program the Fellows travel overseas. Upon their return, they pass on what they have learnt by:

1. Preparing detailed reports to government departments, industry and education institutions.

2. Recommending improvements to accredited educational courses.

3. Offering training activities including workshops, conferences and forums.

Over 180 Australians have received Fellowships, across many industry sectors.

Recognised experts from overseas also conduct training activities and events. To date, 22 leaders in their field have shared their expertise in Australia.

According to Skills Australia's 'Australian Workforce Futures: A National Workforce Development Strategy 2010':

"Australia requires a highly skilled population to maintain and improve our economic position in the face of increasing global competition, and to have the skills to adapt to the introduction of new technology and rapid change.

International and Australian research indicates we need a deeper level of skills than currently exists in the Australian labour market to lift productivity. We need a workforce in which more people have skills, but also multiple and higher level skills and qualifications. Deepening skills across all occupations is crucial to achieving long-term productivity growth. It also reflects the recent trend for jobs to become more complex and the consequent increased demand for higher level skills.

This trend is projected to continue regardless of whether we experience strong or weak economic growth in the future. Future environmental challenges will also create demand for more sustainability related skills across a range of industries and occupations."

(http://www.skillsaustralia.gov.au/PDFs_RTFs/WWF_strategy.pdf – Skills Australia's 'Australian Workforce Futures: A National Workforce Development Strategy 201', pp 1-2)

In this context, the Institute works with Fellows, industry and government to identify specific skills in Australia that require enhancing, where accredited courses are not available through Australian higher education institutions or other Registered Training Organisations. The Fellows' overseas experience sees them broadening and deepening their own professional practice, which they then share with their peers, industry and government upon their return. This is the focus of the Institute's work.

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Last Updated: July 2010
Construction: Mark O'Rourke, '02 ISS Institute Fellow
Updates: Katherine Dent