Pivot

Automation, globalisation and flexible working arrangements are upturning the status quo of the nature of work around the world. In Victoria, these forces of change are making it more difficult for people to develop the skills to enjoy a fulfilling and long-lasting working career.

We designed a tool that logically and supportively determines the user’s skills profile, matches job opportunities with the skills they have, and suggests further training to increase future job opportunities.

The tool uses storytelling to step users through a complex process in a simple and engaging way that’s suitable for all age groups.

To set the project on the right trajectory, we ran a program of co-design with TAFE students and aged care employees to generate ideas and test assumptions about the tool and its data. Workshops generated deep insight into the ‘why’ behind a tool like this—the emotional drivers, the major barriers, and immediate value people might experience when thinking about their future.

We then transitioned to our user experience design and development process to create a functional prototype, wireframes, visual design and copy. We conducted regular user testing to get feedback and improve the tool—ensuring successful adoption of the tool.

Pivot has been live since May 2019 and more than 800 people have used the tool since launch. We’re learning that the data from people who use the tool is informing the collective identification of skill gaps of people living in South West Victoria, which will better inform miro-credential courses at South West Tafe and employee training in Aged Care. Pivot has also been integrated into the performance review process at one of the Aged Care partners, to support employee learning and development. This investment in people’s futures will have a long-lasting, positive impact on the community in the area.

We needed a highly-skilled-and-collaborative multidisciplinary team that could use design, strategy, and development to produce a simple and user-friendly experience—one that leverages complex datasets and clever design to shift the mindset of young people. Our team of designers, developers and strategists worked closely with FYA, AlphaBeta, Aged Care partners and their employees, and South West TAFE employees and students over a nine month period to design, test and develop the tool for launch.

“It’s great to have something tangible to represent all of the amazing work that has been done. There are lights turning on everywhere.” — Peter McLaughlan, Lyndoch Living

“It was a pretty big idea when we started and seeing how it’s come together has taken a lot of incredible collaborative work, thoughtful insights, fast turnarounds and technical expertise from a lot of wonderful people.” — Lauren Langley, FYA