Digital Skills

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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.

Latest update Project Commencement
Anticipated completion 31 May 2027
Latest update Working Groups – Maritime 17 September 2026
About the project

Project overview

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.

Why this matters

What it means for industry

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.

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.

What We're Doing?

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-focused 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.

What is DigComp

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.

How this will be achieved

Working groups have been established to develop DOPs for the following occupations:

  • Rail Shunter
  • Rail Customer Service Officer
  • Light Rail Driver
  • Forklift Operator
  • Storeperson
  • Driving Instructor
  • Freight Forwarder
  • Mobile Crane Operator
  • Delivery Driver
  • Bus Driver
  • Truck Driver

The 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 also be formed to develop DOPs for occupations in the Aviation and Maritime Logistics sectors over the coming months.

Project Commencement

Working Groups – Maritime

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

  • Linesperson 
  • Marina worker 
  • Marine engine driver (MED 1) 
  • Master 24 meters 
  • Master 45 meters 

The 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. 

Please register your interest in being a member of a Working Group by close of business Friday 9 October 2026. 

Maritime Digital Skills Project – Expression of Interest

 

Working Groups – Aviation

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

  • Drone Operator 
  • Pilot 
  • Air Traffic Controller 
  • Security Screening Officer  
  • Baggage Handler

The 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. 

Registrations of interest in being a member of a Working Group closed on Friday 11 September 2026. 

Working Groups – Transport and Logistics

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

  • Customs Broker 
  • Compliance Officer 
  • Scheduler 

The 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. 

Registrations of interest in being a member of a Working Group closed on Wednesday 2 September 2026.

Working Groups – Transport & Logistics

The next phase of this project has commenced, focusing on digital skills required in the Transport & Logistics industry.

Skills shortages are impacting the sector’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:

  • Mobile Crane Operator
  • Delivery Driver
  • Bus Driver
  • Truck Driver

The 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.

Expression of interest closed on 22 July 2026.

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

Working Groups – Transport & Logistics

The next phase of this project has commenced, focusing on digital skills required in the Transport & Logistics industry.

Skills shortages are impacting the sector’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:

  • Forklift Operator
  • Storeperson
  • Driving Instructor
  • Freight Forwarder

Working groups will be established to develop DOPs for the following occupations in coming months:

  • Fleet Scheduler
  • Delivery Driver
  • Bus Driver
  • Truck Driver

The 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.

Expression of interest closed on 15 May 2026.

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

Working Groups – Rail

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.

ISA is seeking representation from the following states 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.

Expression of interest closed on 20 March 2026.

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