Purpose

This policy aims to outline our approach to collaboration with stakeholders, recognising that consistent and considered consultation with stakeholders throughout our work will result in the achievement of consensus.

Policy Statement

All staff employed by Skills Insight understand that a consistently collaborative and consultative approach to our work can help achieve agreement amongst the majority of groups and prevent the development of disputes.

All staff employed by Skills Insight are committed to the prevention of disputes by:

  • Actively and regularly seeking the input of key stakeholders and demonstrating that we listen and respond to their needs
  • Incorporating feedback from stakeholders to ensure the outcomes of our work reach broad consensus
  • Continually improving feedback loops with stakeholders so they are consulted and informed throughout the lifecycles of our project work

Relationship to Other Policies

This policy should be read in conjunction with the following codes, policies and guidelines:

  • Training Package Dispute Resolution Policy
  • Stakeholder Dispute Resolution Policy
  • Complaints Policy
  • The Jobs and Skills Councils Code of Conduct and Program Guidelines
  • Bullying and Harassment Policy
  • The Training Package Operating Framework
  • Skills Insight Governance guidance including Board performance; Financial delegation; Conflict of Interest; and Gifts Policies
  • Technical Committee Terms of Reference
  • Code of Conduct and Practice

Principles

In achieving collaboration and consensus, Skills Insight will adhere to the following principles:

  • We will actively and consistently listen to the concerns, challenges and barriers faced by our stakeholders
  • We will be responsive, collegiate and solutions-based in our interactions with stakeholders
  • Skills Insight staff understand expected standards of behaviour and conduct when collaborating with stakeholders
  • We are impartial, fair and act in the best interests of all parties
  • We are committed to continuous improvement and learning how we can improve our consultation processes

Collaboration leads to consensus

This policy is based on the understanding that with consistent, transparent and collaborative communication between Skills Insight and stakeholders, consensus can be achieved.

By increasing transparency and publishing the process and outcomes of stakeholder consultations, all stakeholders can see how their feedback has been addressed.

Ensuring stakeholder feedback loops are in place may prevent the development of potential disputes.

When working on Training Packages consistent communication with relationship managers within DEWR’s Assurance Body and with Responsible Officers at a state level will facilitate discussion around differing interpretations of training packages, and lead to resolutions throughout the process.

Support from the Assurance Body for Skills Insight

The Assurance Body provides education and engagement opportunities to JSCs on common training package product development issues.

The outcomes of the assurance activities will be used to promote learning and provide support and guidance to JSCs on best practice approaches in training package development.

This policy recommends that Skills Insight staff engage with educational opportunities offered by the Assurance Body.

Consensus Process

Skills Insight is committed to resolving issues through consensus, aiming for solutions that are acceptable to all stakeholders.

Consensus involves group decision-making aimed at achieving acceptance from all participants. Skills Insight uses this approach to reduce the likelihood of disputes. Decisions are based on the collective best interests of stakeholders.

Where relevant and particularly with work carried out on training packages steps in the consensus process must be comprehensively documented.

Step 1 – Define The Issue

Issues cannot be solved without a clear definition and understanding of the issue from all perspectives. The problem needs to be defined by:

  • Understanding each party’s position and goals
  • Understanding concerns, drivers and needs
  • Addressing misconceptions
  • Identify matters that need resolution

The needs and opinions of invested stakeholders must surface before moving to subsequent stages of the process.

Step 2 – Conduct Research

Once the issue is clearly defined and understood, Skills Insight should undertake further research and consultation. This may include:

  • Seeking further advice from a technical committee or other forums of stakeholders
  • Undertaking further research into the impacts of any issue 
  • Working with a small group of stakeholders to further unpack the issue
  • Utilise government or industry data

Step 3 – Gather Evidence

Evidence to support potential solutions should be collected by Skills Insight. Examples of types of evidence include:

  • Industry and Stakeholder Engagement Records
  • Reliable Data Sources (eg., JSA, ABS, NCVER)
  • Industry-Sourced Data
  • Strategic Planning Documents
  • Committee Reports
  • Quality Assurance and Expert Assessments
  • Government Advice (eg., TPAB guidance)
  • Stakeholder (internal and external) feedback

Step 4 – Develop Solutions

Skills Insight should propose evidence-based solutions which align with Skills Insight’s JSC program objectives and values. Each solution should consider:

  • Alignment with the overall vision of developing human capital that supports our nation’s sovereign capability, and food, housing and manufacturing security
  • Each party’s concerns, needs and goals
  • The evidence that supports the proposal
  • An assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the solution
  • Success barriers: factors that could impede the proposal’s success

Step 5 – Seek Consensus

Present the proposed solution(s) to the involved stakeholders. This may be conducted via one-on-one discussions, facilitated face-to-face workshops or webinars.

Feedback from this step in the process will determine whether to:

  1. proceed to a consensus decision
  2. return to previous stages to further develop a solution
  3. proceed to a formal dispute resolution process via an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Process (See Training Package Dispute Resolution Process Policy and Stakeholder Dispute Resolution Process Policy)

Step 6 – Consensus Decision

Once consensus is achieved:

  • Confirm that all parties agree on the solution and approve the recommendation
  • Where relevant   that the consensus is documented in writing and signed off by the CEO
  • Thank all parties for their participation in the process

Training Package Consensus

In some cases, Skills Insight will be able to settle on an agreed training product, even if all of the details of that training product are not agreed by all stakeholders. Where this is the case, Skills Insight will detail (as part of our submission to the Assurance Body) the areas where broad consensus has not been reached and the justification for this.

Collaboration & Consensus Model

Feedback and Amendments

Organisations change over time, and as a result, their policies must also adapt accordingly. If you identify any aspect of this policy that requires adjustment or updating, please reach out to the Executive who will follow a policy review process as endorsed by the CEO