DDSW Design & Digital Transformation

The Darling Downs Southwest Manufacturing Hub under The Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water (RDMW) partnered with Inspired Education Australia (IEA) to engage a unique delivery mixing industry and education sector leaders, in Chinchilla and the neighbouring regions. This specific design intervention focussed on design thinking skills and Industry 5.0 technologies and digital transformation. All directly aligning with several strategies outlined in the department's Queensland's Advanced Manufacturing: 10-Year Road Map & Action Plan.

What’s the result?

Community & Stakeholder Collaboration: Fostered and strengthened community engagement and communication within the education sector and local industry.

• Facilitated meaningful collaborations between the community, educational institutions, and local industry stakeholders.
• Developed effective channels of communication to ensure ongoing dialogue and collaboration among all involved parties.
• Implemented strategies to promote a sense of shared purpose and collective responsibility towards educational and industrial advancement.

Community Projects: Facilitated focused discussions and initiatives for specific projects within the intersection of education and industry.

• Engaged the unique set of stakeholders to identify and prioritise community projects that align with the goals of both the education sector and local industries.
• Pave the path for the outcomes of community projects to measure their impact and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.

Education Sector: Identified specific needs within schools and determined the necessary support to develop a robust skills pipeline for manufacturing, leveraging design thinking and digital transformation skills.

• Evaluated assessments to identify the skills gap within the education sector related to manufacturing and industry 5.0.
• Consulted with schools, educators, and industry experts to develop programs and curricula that address these skill gaps and open dialogue for on-going programs into the region.
• Integrated design thinking methodologies and digital transformation principles into educational frameworks to ensure students are equipped with the necessary competencies aligned with 21st century Australian curriculum and competitive future skills.

Industry Sector: Identified specific requirements, barriers, challenges, and next steps for local manufacturers to transition towards industry 5.0.

• The workshop identified the unique requirements and challenges faced by manufacturers in their transition to industry 5.0.
• Engaged industry stakeholders in strategic discussions to develop actionable plans and solutions to overcome these barriers for on-going deliveries to the region.
• Facilitated partnerships and collaborations with relevant organisations, technology providers, and government agencies to support manufacturers in their journey towards industry 5.0 along with the education sector and skills gaps.

Increase Capability: Defined the requirements for businesses to enhance their capabilities and adopt competitive practices.

• Identified areas of improvement and potential barriers to competitiveness for local manufacturers.
• Developed potential strategies and recommendations to enhance the capabilities of businesses, addressing areas such as technology adoption, talent development, and competitive practice.
• Paved the pathway for ongoing support and guidance to local manufactures in implementing these strategies, ensuring possible measurable improvements in their competitiveness and overall performance.