VET News

Adapt or Innovate - How Has the Pandemic Affected Your RTO?

Businesses reported they generally ‘adapted’ to changing conditions during the pandemic, rather than ‘innovated’, according to a research report released by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER).

A limited amount of training was required for the innovations or adaptations businesses made, with most staff able to transfer their existing skills to any new tasks. Where training was undertaken, it was mostly unaccredited and done informally on-the-job or via free online training. Where accredited training was used, such as in the aged care sector, it tended to be conducted online.

The impact of COVID-19 on industry innovation, skills and the need for training highlights findings from three case study industries: manufacturing; healthcare (including aged care and pharmacy); and hospitality and tourism.

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on businesses across Australia have varied and have been dependent on numerous lockdowns of varying degrees and durations, social distancing, and changes in demand for products and services. 

Some businesses with products relevant to the pandemic have capitalised on the situation by making innovations in their products and in their operations. Many others have merely adapted to the changed conditions, making changes to survive while under intense strain, as a result of reduced demand, disrupted supply chains and labour shortages.

Barriers to innovation during the pandemic included a lack of financial resources, limited innovation options and the conservative nature of their sector, as well as survival of the business being a higher priority. A lack of skills or inability to access training was not identified as a barrier to innovation or adaptation.

This research identified how businesses have innovated in their practices or markets to remain financially viable during the pandemic and whether the VET sector assisted them to equip their staff for these changes.

Access: The impact of COVID-19 on industry innovation, skills an the need for training

Date posted Aug 5, 2021