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Digital Skills

This project is aimed at helping transport supply chain industries adapt to rapid technological change by strengthening workforce digital capability. The project explores the use of the DigComp framework to understand and define the digital skills required for the transport supply chain industry worker to ensure they are equipped to thrive in an increasingly digital world.

9 February 2026

The first phase of this project has commenced, focusing on digital skills required in the Rail sector.

Skills shortages are impacting the industry’s ability to operate and maintain a range of digital, automated and other new technologies.

Industry Skills Australia is seeking subject matter experts to be part of project working groups to develop Digital Occupational Profiles (DOP) for the following occupations:

  • Rail Shunter
  • Rail Customer Service Officer
  • Light Rail Driving / Controller

Building on the Rail Digital Skills Project which produced DOPs for five other rail occupations, these DOPs will define the digital knowledge, skills and proficiency levels that workers in these occupations must possess to adequately perform their tasks, based on the DigComp Framework.

Working Groups will be formed to develop DOPs for occupations in the Aviation, Maritime, and Transport, and Logistics sectors over the coming months.

 

Please register your interest in being a member of a Rail Digital Skills Working Group by close of business Monday, 23 February 2026.

Register your interest

Australia’s transport supply chain industries are being reshaped by digital technologies. From autonomous vehicles and drones to AI-powered logistics and cloud-based platforms, new technologies are redefining how work is done. To help industry keep pace, Industry Skills Australia (ISA) is leading this project to analyse the digital skills across the Aviation, Maritime, Rail, Transport, and Logistics workforce.

The rise of automation, data analytics, and connected systems is creating strong demand for digital skills across all roles. Workers need to understand and apply emerging technologies, manage data securely, and adapt to evolving workflows. ISA’s Workforce Plans identified digital capability as a critical megatrend, with training gaps threatening industry readiness and productivity.

Building on insights from the Rail Digital Skills Project, this project will use DigComp to:

  • Create Digital Occupational Profile (DOPs) templates for up to 25 selected roles across Aviation, Maritime, Rail, Transport, and Logistics occupations.
  • Consult with industry about the digital skills required for the selected occupations.
  • Use the digital skills identified in the DOPs to undertake a strategic review of the Aviation (AVI), Maritime (MAR) and Transport and Logistics (TLI) Training Packages.

The review will help identify:

  • how digital technology developments, have changed and are likely to change the profile of skills
  • where future-focussed upskilling and reskilling pathways need to be established
  • Training Package development needs, including updates to qualifications, skill sets, and units of competency that reflect evolving job roles and digital skill requirements.

The Digital Competence Framework for Citizens (DigComp) is an international framework that identifies the key components of digital competence across five focus areas, 21 specific competences and 4 proficiency levels. 

In DigComp, digital competence involves the 'confident, critical and responsible use of, and engagement with, digital technologies for learning, at work, and for participation in society. It is defined as a combination of knowledge, skills and attitudes.

This project will help define the digital skills needed by workers across transport supply chain industries, inform training product design, and support workforce mobility. By using a common framework, ISA aims to ensure workers are equipped to thrive in a digital economy and that training providers, employers, and learners have a clear roadmap for building future-ready capabilities.

Working groups of subject matter experts will be formed to develop the DOPs. Stakeholders will be given an opportunity to provide feedback on the drafts.

ISA will also collaborate with other Jobs and Skills Councils to share learnings.

This project is due to be completed by May 2027.

For any enquiries about the VET Workforce Blueprint or to participate, please reach out.

Grant Power
Project Specialist

M: 0418 273 814 | E: grant.power@isajsc.org.au

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