Workforce Innovation & Development Institute

We are an ethical, not-for-profit consultancy and service provider, embedded within RMIT University.

We design, implement, and evaluate programs and policies that help build a strong social services workforce.

We work in collaboration with partners across industry, government, and the education sector to find innovative solutions to longstanding challenges.

The Workforce Innovation and Development Institute at RMIT University partners with the social service sector, government and the higher education and skills system to respond to our shared workforce challenges.

Our mission is to build a stronger community, supported by a diverse, skilled, responsive, healthy and innovative social service workforce.

We are a skilled and trusted partner, applying our sector knowledge and expertise in research, education and social innovation to design and implement practical, scalable, workforce solutions.

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Why WIDI Exists

Every day, thousands of Australians go to work in the social services sector - providing care and support for millions of people. The social services sector is one of the largest, fastest-growing, and important industries in the country. Yet all parts of the sector are struggling to provide the skilled, responsive and healthy workforce required. We need to be working together to identify new ways of meeting this challenge.

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How Are We Achieving Impact?

We have focused our efforts on the innovations that evidence is showing hold the greatest potential for improving the size and quality of the workforce. These include earn and learn training models; strategies to diversify the workforce; new recruitment practices; better supervision and support; new sources of workforce data; job design; leadership development; tailored training solutions and evaluations.

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The Services We Offer

We work collaboratively with our partners to provide services in four key areas:

Workforce Strategy and Planning

We have expertise in working with organisations of all sizes and service types in describing job roles, identifying job families and articulating core functions. We use this to recognise competencies, identify skill gaps and training needs, and assist organisations to recruit, develop and retain a quality workforce.

Evaluation, Data and Insights

We have expertise in designing and leading on evidence-based developmental evaluations and in the collation and analysis of new data sources to inform workforce planning and interventions.

New Pathways to Training and Work

We have led the design and implementation of earn-and-learn programs – combining paid employment and training in a new traineeship model. Our tailored approach to training is informed by industry to build the skills workers need to deliver quality care. Our experienced mentors, alongside industry supervisors, build the confidence of new workers – helping them succeed in training and at work.

Consultancy and Research on all Workforce-Related Matters

We offer high-level research and analytical services; report production; facilitation; and other generalist consultancy services on all matters relevant to building a stronger social service sector.

In all our work, WIDI’s main focus is on ensuring that what we do has a beneficial impact for our community. To that end, we pride ourselves on a flexible and client-focussed approach – putting the quality and usefulness of our work above other priorities. Examples of our work can be find at Our Impact.