Building an AI-Empowered Workforce: Priority Framework

The prioritisation of qualifications should consider both AI exposure and importance

Generative AI will have a significant impact on the industries, occupations and qualifications that are covered by the FSO.

However, it is one factor among many others and should be considered holistically as part of the FSO’s workforce planning and prioritisation process.

Accordingly, we recommend a two-part test to prioritise action to respond to the impact of generative AI.

A. AI exposure – the extent to which the qualification has been identified as having a high exposure to generative AI.

B. Qualification importance – the extent to which the qualification plays a significant role in the training system and in industry.

The combination of these two factors will identify the most urgent qualifications to be reviewed for potential changes to respond to generative AI.

Qualification importance depends on factors relating to the qualification and its use, occupational size and growth & stakeholder feedback

Qualifications with high importance and AI exposure should be prioritised

Using this prioritisation framework qualifications are allocated to the relevant priority

Critical priority: High exposure, high importance. There are 4 qualifications in this category, for example the Diploma of Marketing and Communication

High priority: High exposure, low importance. There are 27 qualifications in this category, for example the Certificate IV in Human Resource Management

Medium priority: Low exposure, high importance. There are 23 qualifications in this category for example the Certificate IV in Business

Lower priority: Low exposure, low importance. There are 35 qualifications in this category for example the Certificate II in Telecommunications Network Build and Operation

Using this prioritisation framework qualifications can be allocated a priority rating

Qualifications will broadly fall into four categories: Critical priority (High exposure, high importance) these qualifications are critical to review. Occupations in this sector are of high importance for industry, and qualifications are most likely to be impacted by AI. High priority (high exposure, lower importance) these qualifications should be considered as high priority for review as while less important for industry, they will become impacted by AI and will require action to ensure relevance. Medium priority (low exposure, high importance) these qualifications are important for industry but are expected to have limited AI exposure and are therefore less in need of review. Lower priority (low exposure, low importance) qualifications in this category should either have no further action, or if they have low to no enrolments should be considered for deletion.

Qualifications under critical priority

Diploma of Marketing and Communication

Advanced Diploma of Marketing and Communication

Advanced Diploma of Conveyancing

Diploma of Insurance Broking

Download the full report and methodology here.