Workforce Council

Changing Conceptions of Innovation

On June 27, Professor Ewart Keep outlined his research and ideas about skills utilisation and the 'Changing Conceptions of Innovation' at a presentation held at the Kedron Wavell Service Club, Chermside.

During the presentation, Professor Keep discussed the old and new models of these theories and explained how certain countries created their own models and how they have been so effective.

Some of the key themes discussed about skills utilisation were:

• Role broadening/deepening
• Redesigning work organisations to use their employees skills more effectively
• Progression routes (vertically/laterally)
• Work scheduling and pacing
• Giving skills to people to become lifelong learners
• Training people to progress rather than just learning their immediate job
• Training people to be the masters of their craft
• Managing the pace of the challenge
• Not just a responsibility of HR but of all managers

After presenting, Professor Keep took questions from the audience who were keen to make the most of his expertise in this area.

Professor Keep, who has 30 years of experience in vocational education and training was in Brisbane after visiting New Zealand to gauge the concepts surrounding their new model.

Ewart Keep is the Deputy Director of the Centre on Skills, Knowledge and Organisational Performance (SKOPE) in the United Kingdom, and is based at Cardiff University's School of Social Sciences.

View Prof Keep's PowerPoint presentation or watch the video PART 1 | PART 2

View the SKOPE report: Scotland’s skills utilisation programme

For more information on Professor Ewart Keep and his research visit the Cardiff University or SKOPE websites.