AU2011232314A1 - Skill management - Google Patents

Description

WO 2011/116429 PCT/AU2011/000344 SKILL MANAGEMENT Field of Invention The present invention relates to a method, system and computer program product for 5 managing skills of a user. Background Presently, it has become evident that approximately 80% of learning takes place in the workplace. However there is no effective system that allows individuals or workforces to 10 take full advantage of the skills that are acquired by individuals within the workplace. For example, if an individual transfers from one placeof employment to another, it is difficult for the new employer to fully appreciate and value the skills which the individual has acquired at their previous workplace. For example, the employer may suspect that due 15 to the individual having acquired little or no formal qualifications in relation to a specific skill set, a significant amount of training may be required for the respective individual. However, this may not be the case as the individual may have acquired the necessary skills at their previous employment. 20 Similar problems also exist if an individual wishes to undergo career progression. Specifically, it may be difficult for the individual to identify the specific skills which he or she needs to acquire or improve upon in order to progress their career. This difficulty stems from the difficulty in assessing the current skills which the individual currently possesses due to their skills acquired via the workplace not being formalised in any 25 manner. The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that the prior publication (or information derived 30 from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates, WO 2011/116429 PCT/AU2011/000344 -2 Summary Aspects provide a method, system, server processing system and computer program product for managing skills acquisition for a user. 5 In one aspect there is provided a method of managing skills acquisition for a user, wherein the method includes, in a server processing system, steps of: receiving, from a client processing system in data communication with the server processing system, skills competency data indicative a user's competency for a set of 10 skills; storing the skills competency data in a data store; receiving a skills acquisition notice indicative of a skills acquisition task completed by the user; obtaining skills acquisition data based upon the skills acquisition task; 15 updating the skills competency data for the user according to the skills acquisition data; and generating a report indicative of the user's competency for the set of skills. In one form, the data store has stored therein a plurality of skills acquisition task records, 20 wherein each skills acquisition task record is indicative of a respective skills acquisition task and corresponding skills acquisition data, wherein the method includes the server processing system obtaining the skills acquisition data from the data store according to the skills acquisition task indicated by the skills acquisition notice. 25 In another form, the skills competency data and the skills acquisition data are arrays including a plurality of skill competency values indicative of a degree of competency for the set of skills. In one embodiment, the method includes, ih the server processing system, steps of: 30 comparing the skills competency data for the user against the skills acquisition data of the plurality of skills acquisition task records; WO 2011/116429 PCT/AU2011/000344 -3 determining a recommended skills acquisition task for the user to undertake; and transferring the recommended skills acquisition task to the client processing system. 5 In another embodiment, the method includes, in the server processing system, steps of: determining, for each skills acquisition task and relative to the skills competency data, skills competency differential data for the set of skills; determining, based upon the skills competency differential data, an average skills competency differential for each skills acquisition task; and 10 determining, based upon the average skills competency differential and a recommended skills acquisition task rule, the recommended skills acquisition task for the user. In an optional form, the method includes the server processing system dismissing one or 15 more skills acquisition tasks for recommendation in the event that the average skills competency differential is indicative of the user currently possessing a greater average skills competency for the set of skills. In another optional form, the method includes the server processing system applying the 20 recommended skills acquisition task rule to identify one of the skills acquisition tasks having an average skills competency differential which is closest to an optimum average skills competency differential compared to a remainder of the skills acquisition tasks, thereby identifying the recommended skills acquisition task. 25 In an optional embodiment, the method includes the server processing system determining an ordered list of recommended skills acquisition tasks, wherein the ordered list of recommended skills acquisition tasks is transferred' to and presented by the client processing system in descending order of recommendation. 30 In another optional embodiment, the method includes, in the server processing system, steps of: WO 2011/116429 PCT/AU2011/000344 -4 storing.target skills competency data for the user in the data store; comparing the skills competency data against the target skills competency data to generate target skills competency differential data; and determining based upon the target skills competency differential data and at least 5 some of the plurality of skills acquisition task records, one or more recommended skills acquisition tasks for the user to undertake. Optionally, the method includes the server processing system receiving selection data from the client processing system, wherein the selection data is indicative of a selection made at 10 the client processing system of the target skills competency data for the user. In one form, the server processing system is configured to manage skills acquisition for a plurality of other users, wherein the method includes, in the server processing system, steps of: 15 receiving the selection data indicative of a selection of one of the other users as a target user for the user; identifying, from the data store and based upon the selection data, skills competency data for the target user; and storing the skills competency data for the target user as the target skills competency 20 data for the user. In another form, the method includes the server processing system comparing the skills competency data for the user against the skills acquisition data of the plurality of skills acquisition task records to determine an equivalent skills acquisition task which the user 25 satisfies based upon the skills competency data for the user. In one embodiment, the method includes, in the server processing system, steps of: determining, for each skills acquisition task and relative to the skills competency data, skills competency differential data for the set of skills; 30 determining, based upon the skills competency differential data, an average skills competency differential for each skills acquisition task; and WO 2011/116429 PCT/AU2011/000344 -5 determining, based upon the average skills competency differential for the plurality of skills acquisition tasks and using an equivalent skills acquisition task rule, the equivalent skills acquisition task which the user satisfies. 5 In another embodiment, the method includes the server processing system applying the equivalent skills acquisition task rule to identify the equivalent skills acquisition task having an average skills competency differential which is closest to zero. In an optional form, the method includes the server processing system determining a 10 plurality of equivalent skills acquisition tasks that the user satisfies based upon the skills competency data for the user. In another optional form, the method includes the server processing system generating the report further indicative of the equivalent skills acquisition task. 15 In an optional embodiment, the method includes the server processing system: determining a skills competency metric based upon the skills competency data for the user; and recording, in the data store, the skills competency metric for the user. 20 In another optional embodiment, the step of determining the skills competency metric includes the server processing system performing a weighted summation of the plurality of skill competency values for the skills competency data for the user. 25 Optionally, the method includes the server processing system identifying, using the skills competency metric and a certification lookup table, an equivalent certification level for the user. In one form, the method includes the server processing system generating the report to 30 further be indicative of the equivalent certification level forthe user.

WO 2011/116429 PCT/AU2011/000344 -6 In another form, at least some of the skills acquisition tasks are one of: a qualification; a certification; and a training program. 5 In one embodiment, the method includes the server processing system: receiving, from the client processing system, user personal data; and generating, using the personal data, the report as a curriculum vitae. 10 In another broad aspect there is provided a server processing system for managing skills acquisition for a user, wherein the server processing system is configured to: receive, from a client processing system in data communication with the server processing system, skills competency data indicative a user's competency for a set of skills; 15 store the skills competency data in a data store; receive a skills acquisition notice indicative of a skills acquisition task completed by the user; obtain skills acquisition data based upon the skills acquisition task; update the skills competency data for the user according to the skills acquisition 20 data; and generate a report indicative of the user's competency for the set of skills. In another broad aspect there is provided a computer program product stored upon a computer readable medium having computer executable instructions storeTdthereon for 25 configuring a server processing system to manage skills acquisition for a user, wherein the computer executable instructions, when executed by a server processing system, configure the server processing to: receive, from a client processing system in data communication with the server processing system, skills competency data indicative a user's competency for a set of 30 skills; store the skills competency data in a data store; WO 2011/116429 PCT/AU2011/000344 -7 receive a skills acquisition notice indicative of a skills acquisition task completed by the user; obtain skills acquisition data based upon the skills acquisition task; update the skills competency data for the user according to the skills acquisition 5 data; and generate a report indicative of the user's competency for the set of skills. Other embodiments will be appreciated from the detailed description. 10 Brief Description of Drawings Example embodiments should become apparent from the following description, which is given by way of example only, of at least one preferred but non-limiting embodiment, described in connection with the accompanying figures. 15 Figure IA illustrates a functional block diagram of an example processing system that can be utilised to embody. or give effect to a particular embodiment; Figure lB illustrates a functional block diagram of an example system that can be utilised to embody or give effect to a particular embodiment; 20 Figure 2 is a flowchart representing a method of managing skills acquisition for a-user; Figure 3 is a flowchart representing a more detailed example method of managing skills acquisition for a user; 25 Figure 4 is a flowchart representing an example method of determining a recommended skills acquisition task for a user; Figure 5 is a flowchart representing an example method of determining a recommended 30 skills acquisition task for a user based upon target skills acquisition data; WO 2011/116429 PCT/AU2011/000344 -8 Figure 6 is a flowchart representing an example method of determining an equivalent skills acquisition task which the user satisfies based on the user's skills competency data; and Figure 7 is a table representing skill set data indicative of a set of skills and skill categories 5 with a corresponding skill competency range; Figure 8 is a table representing weighting data indicative of a plurality of weighted skill values according to particular skill competency values; 10 Figure 9 is a table representing portion data indicative of a plurality of portions of a weighted skill value according to the skill competency value; Figure 10 is a table representing a worked example of a plurality of skill code competency values, corresponding weighted skill competency values, A skill code metric, and a 15 plurality of skill category competency metric. Figures 1 A through to 1 ID are a series of tables representing the determination of an equivalent skills acquisition task for a user; 20 Figure 12 is a table representing differential skills competency data for a user; Figure 13 is a table representing equivalent certification data for determining an equivalent certification level for a user based upon the skills competency metric; and 25 Figure 14 is a table representing equivalent certification data for determining an equivalent certification level for user based upon the skills competency metric and one or more certification levels for one or more skill category competency metrics. Description of Preferred Embodiments 30 The following modes, given by way of example only, are described in order to provide a more precise understanding of the subject matter of a preferred embodiment or WO 2011/116429 PCT/AU2011/000344 -9 embodiments. In the figures, incorporated to illustrate features of an example embodiment, like reference numerals are used to identify like parts throughout 'the figures. A particular embodiment can be realised using a processing system, an example of which 5 is shown in Fig. IA. In particular, the processing system 100 generally includes at least one processor 102, or processing unit or plurality of processors, memory 104, at least one input device 106 and at least one output device 108, coupled together via a bus or group of buses 110. In certain embodiments, input device 106 and output device 108 could be the same device. An interface 112 also can be provided for coupling the processing system 100 10 to one or more peripheral devices, for example interface 112 could be a PCI card or PC card. At least one storage device 114 which houses at least one database 116 can also be provided. The memory 104 can be any form of memory device, for example, volatile or non-volatile memory, solid state storage devices, magnetic devices, etc. The processor 102 .could include more than one distinct processing device, for example to handle different 15 functions within the processing system 100. Input device 106 receives input data 118 and can include, for example, a keyboard, a pointer device such as a pen-like device or a mouse, audio receiving device for voice controlled activation such as a microphone, data receiver or antenna such as a modem or 20 wireless data adaptor, data acquisition card, etc.. Input data 118 could come from different sources, for example keyboard instructions in conjunction with data received via a network. Output device 108 produces or generates output data 120 and can include, for example, a display device or monitor in which case output data 120 is visual, a printer in which case output data 120 is printed, a port for example a USB port, a peripheral 25 component adaptor, a data transmitter or antenna such as a modem or wireless network adaptor, etc.. Output data 120 could be distinct and derived from different output devices, for example a visual display on a monitor in conjunction with data transmitted to a network. A user could view data output, or an interpretation of the data output, on, for example, a monitor or using a printer. The storage device 114 can be any form of data or 30 information storage means, for example, volatile or non-volatile memory, solid state storage devices, magnetic devices, etc..

WO 2011/116429 PCT/AU2011/000344 -10 In use, the processing system 100 is adapted to allow data or information to be stored in and/or retrieved from, via wired or wireless communication means, the at least one database 116 and/or the memory 104. The interface 112 may allow wired and/or wireless 5 communication between the processing unit 102 and peripheral components that may serve a specialised purpose. The processor 102 receives instructions as input data 118 via input device 106 and can display processed results or other output to a user by utilising output device 108. More than one input device 106 and/or output device 108 can be provided. It should be appreciated that the processing system 100 may be any form of terminal, server, 10 specialised hardware, or the like. Referring to Figure lB there is shown a block diagram illustrating a system for managing - skills acquisition for a user. In particular the system 150 includes a server processing system 160 in data communication with one or more client processing systems 170 via a 15 communication medium 180, such as a computer network, for example the Internet. The server processing system includes, or is in data communication with, a data store 165 for storing various data as will be described in more detail below. Generally, the data, store 165 can be provided in the form of a database or the like. Generally, the server processing system 160 is configured as a web hosting server which hosts a website for presenting an 20 interface to the one or more client processing systems 170 for managing skills acquisition for one or more users. As will be appreciated, the one or more client processing systems 170 can interact with the server processing system 160 via a web-browser application which presents the website hosted by the server processing system 160. 25 Referring to Figure 2 there is shown a flowchart representing a method of managing skills acquisition for a user. In particular, at step 210, the method includes, in a server processing system 160, receiving, from a client processing system 170 in data communication with the server processing system 160, .current skills competency data indicative a user's competency level for a set' of skills. At step 220, the method includes, in the server 30 processing system 160, storing the skills competency data in the data store 165. At step 230, the method includes, in the server processing system 160, receiving a skills WO 2011/116429 PCT/AU2011/000344 acquisition notice indicative of a skills acquisition task completed by the user. At step 240, the method includes, in the server processing system 160, obtaining skills acquisition data based upon the skills acquisition task. At step 250, the method includes, in the server processing system 160, updating the current skills competency data for the user according 5 to the skills acquisition data. At step 260, the method includes generating a report indicative of the user's current competency for the set of skills. Referring now to Figure 3, there is shown flowchart representing a more specific method of managing skills acquisition for a user. 10 In particular, at step 305, the method 300 includes the user registering an account with the server processing system 160 via one of the client processing systems 170. Generally, the web browser at the client processing system 170 is utilised to communicate with the server processing system 160. The server processing system 170 stores identification data in the 15 data store 165 to allow the user to login to the website on future occasions. In this step, personal data may be requested to be provided by the user to server processing system 160 via the client processing system 170, Wherein the personal data can be later used to generate the report, as Will be discussed in more detail below. 20 Once logged into the website, the method includes, at step 310, the server processing system 160 transferring electronic form data representing a set of skills to the user at the client processing system 1.70. The set of skills can include, but not limited to, mmuniati.n, readg, wti ng, uumeracy, planning and organising, problem solving, sale and customer service, teamwork, initiative and enterprise, self management, green 25 skills, managing people and performance, project coordination and management, facilitation, financial planning and cost control, digital technology, technology, equipment/machinery, as shown by way of example in Figures 7 and 10 accordingly. At 315, the method 300 includes -the user inputting a series of self assessed skill 30 competency values 1021 (see Figure 10) for the set of skills into the electronic form WO 2011/116429 PCT/AU2011/000344 - 12 displayed via the client processing system 170. For example, the user may be requested to self assess each skill between a skill competency range of 0 to 5. At step 320, the method 300 includes the client processing system 170 transferring skills 5 competency data 1020 indicative .of the series of self assessed skill competency values 1021 for the set of skills to the server processing system 160. accordingly. The server processing system stores the skills competency data 1020 for the user in the data store 165. At step 325, the method 300 includes a request being transferred to a validation user for 10 validation of the skills competency data 1020 for the user. In one form, the user can select the validation user from a plurality of validation users via the interface presented at the client processing system 170. A request is then transferred to the validation user, generally via email, to request a validation of the skills competency data 1020 for the user. In one example, the validation user may already know the user and thus is able to validate the 15 skills competency data 1020. In another form, the validation user may arrange for a meeting with the user to assess the user's skill competency for the set of skills to verify the skills competency data 1020. At step 330, the method 300 includes the server processing system 160 receiving a 20 validation response from the validation user. The validation response can be indicative of the validation user's assessment of the user's competency for the set of skills. In one form, the validation response may indicate that all self-assessed skill competency values 1021 provided by the user are accurate. However, in other examples, the validation user may indicate adjustments to the skills competency data based upon their validation, In some 25 examples, the user may be informed of the adjustment, wherein the user and validation user can discuss the recommended adjustment to the skills- competency data 1020 and reach an agreement. It will be appreciated that whilst validation of the skills competency data is preferable, this is an optional process. 30 At step 335, the method 300 includes the server processing system 160 receiving a skills acquisition notice indicative of the user completing a skills acquisition task, The skills WO 2011/116429 PCT/AU2011/000344 -13 acquisition task indicated by the skills acquisition notice may be a course, program, degree, or the like which the user has undertaken to acquire and improve the user's competency for particular skills of the skill set. In one form, the skills acquisition notice may be received from the user at the respective client processing system 170. In another 5 form, the skills acquisition notice may be received from a third entity operating one of the client processing systems 170. The third entity could be a facilitator of the skills acquisition task undertaken by the user. For example, the third entity could be an educational institution such as a -tertiary education organisation, a training program facilitator, or the like. 10 At step 340, the method 300 includes the server processing system 160 identifying skills acquisition data I10 for the skills acquisition task 1105 indicated by the skills acquisition notice. In particular, the data store 165 has stored therein a plurality of skills acquisition task records 1101. Each skills acquisition task record I 101 is indicative of a respective 15 skills acquisition task 1105 and corresponding skills acquisition data 1110 indicative of skills acquisition competency values 1120. The server processing system 160 obtains the skills acquisition data 1110 from the data store 165 according to the skills acquisition task 1105 indicated by the skills acquisition notice. 20 At step 345, the method 300 includes the server processing system 165 updating the skills competency data 1020 for the user according to the skills acquisition data 1110 for the skills acquisition task. In particular, the skills competency data 1020 and the skills acquisition data I110 may both 25 be provided in the form of an array of skill competency values as shown for example in Figures 11 A an 1 l B. Each skill competency value 1021 of the skills competency data 1020 is compared to the corresponding skills competency value 1121 of the skills acquisition data 1110. In the event that the skill competency value 1021 for a particular skill of the skills acquisition data 1020 is greater than the corresponding skill competency value 1121 30 of the skills competency data 1110, the respective skill competency value 1021 of the skills competency data 1020 is set to equal to the respective skill competency value 1121 of the WO 2011/116429 PCT/AU2011/000344 -14 skills acquisition data 1110. However, in the event that the skill competency value 1021 for a particular skill of the skills acquisition data 1110 is less than or equal to the corresponding skill competency value 1121 of the skills competency data 1020, the respective skill competency value 1021 of the skills competency data 1020 is left 5 unchanged. This process is performed for each value 1021 of skills competency data 1020. The skills competency data 1020, once stored in the data store 165 of the server processing system 160 can be associated with a timestamp which is generated and recorded automatically by the server processing system 160. As will be discussed in more detail 10 below, the timestamps associated with the skills competency data 1020 can be utilised for a number of selectable functions provided by the server processing system 160. As will be appreciated, steps 340 and 345 can be repeated a number of times over a particular timeframe as the user acquires competency in particular skills of the skill set, 15 Additionally, the server processing system stores a skills acquisition task history data indicative of the skills acquisition task completed by the user in the data store 165. A timestamp may also be associated therewith for each skills acquisition task completed by the user. 20 At step 350, the method 300 includes the server processing system 160 receiving a report request in order for the server processing system .160 to generate the report indicative of the user's competency for the set of skills. The report request can be received from the user via the client processing system 170, however, other users may be able to request the report to be generated if authorised by the user. In particular, the user may record at the 25 data 'store 165 of server processing system 160 permission data indicative of other users which are able to request a report be generated, wherein the permission data is queried by the server processing system 160 upon receiving a report request from one of the other users of the system 150. 30 At step 355, the method includes generating the report indicative of the user's competency for the set of skills using the skills competency data 1020 stored in the data store 165. The WO 2011/116429 PCT/AU2011/000344 - 15 report may be generated by the server processing system 160 in the form of a curriculum vitae, wherein the report may be generated by the server processing system 160 using the personal data stored in step 305. The report may be an electronic file which is generated and transferred to the client processing system 170. Additionally or alternatively, the report 5 may be printed via a printer (not ,shown) in data communication with either the client processing system 170 or the server processing system 160. The server processing system 160 may offer a number of selectable functionalities for an individual, or another authorised user of the system 160, to execute in order to manage 10 skills acquisition for the user. A number of these functionalities will now be described in relation to Figures 4 to 6. Each of these functions can be selected, for execution at the server processing system, by the respective user via the website presented via the web browser at the respective client processing system 170. 15 Referring to Figure 4, there is shown a method 400 of determining a recommended skills acquisition task 1105 for the user. In particular, at step 410 and 420, the method 400 includes comparing the skills competency data 1020 for the user against the skills acquisition data 1110 of the plurality of skills acquisition task records 1101. In particular, *at step :410, the method includes determining, for each skills acquisition task 1105 and 20. relative to the skills competency data 1020, skills competency differential data 1030 for the set of skills. For example, referring to Figure 1 A there is shown an example skills competency data 1020 for a user for seventeen skills. In Figure 1 IB there is shown a table representing the 25 skills acquisition data 1110 for a plurality of skills acquisition task records 1101 in the form of a number of qualifications. In Figure I I C, each skills competency value 1120 of each qualification is subtracted from the corresponding skills competency value 1021 of the skills competency data 1020 of the user to obtain a skills competency differential value 1131, wherein the series of skills competency differential values 1131 form the skills 30 competency differential data 1130 for the skill set as shown in Figure 1 B.

WO 2011/116429 PCT/AU2011/000344 -16 At step 420, the method 400 includes determining, based upon the skills competency differential data 1130, an average skills competency differential 1140 for each skills acquisition task .1105. As shown in Figure liD, the skill competency differential values I131 for the skills competency differential data array 1130 are summed and then divided 5 by the number of skills in the skill set, that being seventeen in this example, to obtain the average skills competency differential 1140 for each skills acquisition task 1105. At step 430, the method 400 includes dismissing one or more skills acquisition tasks 1105 for recommendation in the event that the average skill differential is indicative of the user 10 currently possessing a greater skills competency average than the respective average skills competency differential. For example, referring to Figure lIlD, the skills acquisition tasks which have a positive average skills competency value 1040 have been deleted from dismissed from recommendation in the table shown in Figure 11 D. 15 At step 430, the method 400 includes determining a recommended skills acquisition task 1105 for the user to undertake. In particular, the server processing system 160 may. determine, based upon the average skills competency differential 1140 and a recommended skills acquisition task rule, the recommended skills acquisition task 1150 for the user. 20 More specifically, the method 400 can include the server processing system 160 applying the recommended skills acquisition task rule to identify one of the skills acquisition tasks 1105 having an average skills competency differential I1 40which is closest to an optimum average skills competency differential compared to a remainder of the skills acquisition tasks 1105, thereby identifying the recommended skills acquisition task 1150. As would be 25 appreciated, little benefit may be gained by the user in recommending a skills acquisition task 1105 that is too complex based upon their current skills competency data 1020. Additionally, little benefit may be gained by the user if the server processing system recommends a skills acquisition task 1105 where only a -small improvement in skill competencies may be acquired by the user. Therefore, the optimum average skills 30 competency differential is set to a value that results in the recommended skills acquisition tasks providing a steady increase in skill, competency.

WO 2011/116429 PCT/AU2011/000344 -17 In one specific example, the optimum average skill differential is a configurable value that can be set by an administrator of the server processing system 160 for all users of. the system 150. Alternatively, the optimum average skills competency differential may be 5 dynamically adjusted according to skills acquisition notices received for users that successfully undertake a recommended skills acquisition task. In an additional or alternate embodiment, the optimum average skills competency differential is set dynamically for each user according to the user's current skills competency data 1020 and a based upon a change in skills competency data over time for the user. In this embodiment, the timestamp 10 data recorded, by the server processing system 160 recording an update to the skills competency data 1020 can be utilised by the server processing system 160 in dynamically determining the optimum average skills competency differential. Continuing with the example in Figure 1 D, the recommended skills acquisition task rule 15 may identify the skills acquisition task 1105 having an average differential skill value closest to 0.4 as the recommended skills acquisition task 1150. In this instance, the skills acquisition task entitled 'Qual 8' has an average skills competency differential average 1140 closest to 0.4 and therefore is identified by the server processing system 160 as the recommended skills acquisition task 1150 for this user. 20 At step 440, the method 400 includes transferring the recommended skills acquisition task 1150 to the client processing system 170. In one example, the method 400 may determine a plurality -of recommended skills acquisition tasks 1150 that satisfy the recommended skills acquisition task rule, such as a recommended skills acquisition task threshold, 25 although specific tasks 1150 may be more highly recommended than others. As such, the server processing system 160 may generate an ordered list of recommended skills acquisition tasks 1150, wherein the ordered list of recommended skills acquisition tasks 1150 is transferred to and presented by the client processing system 170 in descending order of recommendation. Information about each recommended skills acquisition task 30 1150 may be provided in the list, or alternatively one or more hyperlinks may be provided linking to information about at least some of the recommended skills acquisition tasks.

WO 2011/116429 PCT/AU2011/000344 -18 As will be appreciated, whilst the recommended skills acquisition task 1150 can clearly be beneficial for the specific user, a recruitment agent or the like who is assisting the user obtain employment may also find this method 400 useful in order to provide guidance to 5 the user for increasing employment opportunities. In this particular example, another person other than the user may be operating the client processing system 160 on behalf of the user. In one variation, the recommended skills acquisition task rule may be dependent upon a 10 frequency distribution analysis of the skills competency differential data. In particular, server processing system, upon application of the recommended skills acquisition task rule, can be configured to give a higher recommendation to a skills acquisition task 1105 that has a greater number of skills of the skill set which are improved upon completion of the skills acquisition task compared to another skills acquisition task 1105 which includes a 15 smaller number of skills of the skill set which are improved, wherein it is likely that the skills improved are improved at an unsustainable level, Referring to Figure 5 there is shown a further flowchart representing a method of determining one or more recommended skills acquisition tasks for the user to undertake 20 based upon target skills competency data 1160. In particular, at step 510, the method 500 includes storing target skills competency data 1160 for the user in the data store 165. In one form, this can includes the server processing system 160 receiving selection data from the client processing system 170. The selection 25 data can be indicative of a selection made at the client processing system 170 of the target skills competency data 1160 for the user. More specifically, the selection data can be indicative of a selection of one of the other users as a target user for the user. The server processing system 160 then identifies, from 30 the data store 165 and based upon the selection data, skills competency data 1020 for the target user. The skills competency data 1020 for the target user is stored in the data store WO 2011/116429 PCT/AU2011/000344 -19 165 as the target skills competency data 1160 for the user. Alternatively, the user, or a third party, may selectively input the target skills competency data 1160 via the client processing system 170. 5 At step 520, the method 500 includes comparing the skills competency data 1020 against the target skills competency data 1160 to generate target skills competency differential data 1170. Referring to Figure 12, there is shown an example of target skills competency differential data 1170 calculated for an example user. In particular, the each target skill competency value 1161 of the target skills competency data 1160 which has been selected 10 is subtracted from the corresponding skill competency value 1021 of the skill competency data 1020 to generate the target skills differential data 1170 as shown in Figure 12. At step 530, the method includes determining based upon the target skills differential data 1170 and at least some of the plurality of skills acquisition task records 1101, one or more 15 recommended skills acquisition tasks 1150 for the user to undertake. In one form this can include the server processing system 160 attempting to identify one of the skills acquisition tasks 1105 which can be recommended in accordance with the recommended skills acquisition task rule. If no single skills acquisition tasks 1105 can be recommended that satisfy the recommended skills acquisition task rule, the server processing system 160 may 20 determine a plurality or series of recommended skills acquisition tasks that can be undertaken by the user in accordance with the recommended skills acquisition task rule. It will be appreciated that in the instance that a series of recommended skills acquisition tasks 1150 are generated, a particular order of completion may be required and thus a prerequisite ordering of the recommended skills acquisition tasks 1150 may be presented at 25 the client processing system 160 accordingly to indicate the prerequisite nature of the series of the recommended skills acquisition tasks 1150. In one variation, as discussed above in relation to method 400, the recommended skills acquisition task rule may be additionally dependent upon a frequency distribution analysis 30 of the skills competency differential data for method 500.

WO 2011/116429 PCT/AU2011/000344 -20 Referring to Figure 6 there is shown another flowchart representing an example method 600 of the server processing system 160 determining an equivalent skills acquisition task 1180 that the user satisfies based upon the skills competency data 1020 for the user. It will be appreciated that the phrase "equivalent skills acquisition task" is a task that the user has 5 not undertaken, but based upon the user's skill competencies, the user is considered competent for the skills acquisition task 1080. For example, a user who possesses skills competencies indicative of a bachelor of computer engineering may be suitably competent for satisfying a skills acquisition task such as an introductory course to software engineering, despite the user having not undertaken the introductory course. 10 Referring to Figure 6, the method includes at, step 610 and 620, the server processing system 160 comparing the skills competency data for the user against the skills acquisition data 1020 of the plurality of skills acquisition task records 1101. 15 More specifically at step 610, the method includes the server processing system determining, for each skills acquisition task 1105 and relative to the skills competency data 1020, skills competency differential data 1.130 for the set of skills. This is performed similarly to that exemplified in relation to method 400. At step 620, the method includes the server processing system 160 determining, based upon the skills competency 20 differential data 1130, an average skills competency differential 1140 for each skills acquisition task 1105. Again, this step can be performed similarly to that described in relation to method 400. At step 630, the method includes determining, based upon the average skills competency 25 differential 1140 for the plurality of skills acquisition tasks 1105 and using an equivalent skills acquisition task rule, the equivalent skills acquisition task 1180 that the user satisfies. Specifically, the equivalent skills acquisition task rule, stored in the data store 165 and applied by the server processing system 160, can be configured to identify the equivalent skills acquisition task 1180 having an average skills competency differential 1140 that is 30 closest to zero.

WO 2011/116429 PCT/AU2011/000344 -21 As will be appreciated from the method 600, the result of the method 600 can include determining a plurality of equivalent skill tasks 1180 that the user satisfies based upon the skills competency data 1020 for the user. In one form, the report generated is further indicative of the one or more equivalent skills acquisition tasks 1080. 5 As will be appreciated, the method 600 has similarities to method 400 however the rule to identify the equivalent skill -task is different to the rule applied in method 400. In particular, considering the example previously discussed in relation to Figure lID, the skills acquisition task entitled 'Qual 4' is identified by the server processing system 160 as 10 the equivalent skills acquisition task 1180 due to having an average skills competency differential 1040 that is closest to 0 compared to the other skills acquisition tasks 1105. Referring to Figure 7 there is shown a table representing skill set data 700, stored in the data store 165, indicative of the set of skills 710, skill categories 720 with a corresponding 15 skill competency ranges 730. As can be seen, the set of skills are categorised into foundation skills 723, core skills 726, and technical skills 729. As can also be seen in the example, each skill 711 has a skill competency value range 730 between 0 to 5 which can be input at the client processing system .170 as discussed in relation to methods 200 and 300. 20 Referring to Figure 8 there is shown a table representing weighting data 800, stored in the datastore 165, indicative of a plurality of weighted skill values 810 corresponding to the respective skill competency values 1021. In particular, the skill competency value 1021 that is input for a particular skill 711 has an assigned weighted skill value 810. For 25 example, considering the skill of 'Communication', a skill competency value of 4 which is input at the client processing system 170 for this skill is assigned a weighed skill value of 46 due to this skill being categorised as a foundation skill 723. As can be seen from Figure 8 and from the further examples that will be discussed, particular skills are considered more highly important, and thus weighted accordingly, in terms of a user's equivalent 30 certification level.

WO 2011/116429 PCT/AU2011/000344 - 22 Referring to Figure 9, there is shown a table representing portion data 900, stored in the data store 165, indicative of a plurality of portions of a weighted skill value 810.according to the skill competency value 1021. In particular, the weighted skill value 810 for a particular skill 711 is portioned according to the skill competency value to obtain a 5 responsibility skill value 910, a leadership skill value 920, and a technical skill value 930. Considering the example discussed in relation to Figure 8 where a user has a skill competency value of 4 for communication which results in a weighted skill value of 46. In this instance, the skill competency value of 4 results in portioning the 47 points such that 10 the responsibility skill value for communication is 32% of 47 points equalling 15.04 points, the leadership skill value for communication is 30% of 47 points equalling 14.1 points, and the technical skill value for communication is 38% of 47 points equalling 17.86 points. 15 Referring to Figure 10, a worked example has be performed for the seventeen skills 710 discussed previously. As shown in Figure 10,.each skill 711 has a respective weighted skill value 1021, responsibility skill value 910, leadership skill value 920, and technical skill value 930. The plurality of weighted skill values can be summed to generate a skills competency metric 1080 which is shown in the figures as INDXN. The skills competency 20 metric 1080 can also be represented as a percentage of the total weighted skill points available, which in this example is 656. As is also shown in Figure 10, the leadership skills values 920 for the skills 710 can be summed by the server processing system 160 to generate a leadership skills competency metric 1096 which can be expressed as a percentage of the skills competency metric 1080. A technical skills competency metric 25 1093 and responsibility skills competency metric 1099 can be similarly calculated by the server processing system 160 to that of the leadership skills competency metric 1096 accordingly. The leadership skills competency metric 1096, the technical skills competency metric 1093 and the responsibility skills competency metric 1099 are collectively referred to as skill category competency metrics 1090. 30 Referring to Figure 13 there is shown an example of a certification level data 1300, stored WO 2011/116429 PCT/AU2011/000344 -23 in the data store 165, indicative of certification level table for a plurality of professions 1310. The server processing system 165 can use the skills competency metric 1080 and the certification level data 1300 stored in the data store 165, to determine an equivalent certification level 1320 for the user for varying professions. 5 For example, the user of Figure 10 may indicate in the personal data collected by the server processing system 160 that the user operates in the construction industry. In this example, the user may be considered to have a Certificate III (C3) equivalent certification based on the user's skills competency metric 1080. As can be seen in Figure 13, multiple 10 certification levels are mapped within the certification data, thereby allowing corresponding certification levels for multiple professions and national frameworks to be identified by the server processing system for a user accordingly. Referring to Figure 14,- an alternate certification lookup table 1400 is provided. In one 15 form, the server processing system 160 may use the technical skills competency metric 1093, the responsibility skills competency metric 1099, and/or the leadership skills competency metric 1096 to determine and store a certification level 1320 for each metric 1090. 20 In a particular example, the server processing system is configured 160 to generate the report to further be indicative of the one or more equivalent certification levels 1320 for the user for the skills competency metric 1080, the technical skills competency metric 1093, the responsibility skills competency. metric 1099, and/or the leadership skills competency metric 1096. The server processing system 160 may generate the report to 25 include skill competency definitions 1000 which describe the competency that the user possesses for each particular skill. The data store 165 generally stores skill definition data which is used by the server processing system 165 to generate the report indicative of the skill competency definitions. In one form, each skill 711 may have dual skill competency definitions which are stored in the data store 165. For example, for the skill of 30 communication, the dual skill competency definitions may relate to speaking and listening. The server processing system 160 can be configured to utilise particular template data WO 2011/116429 PCT/AU2011/000344 - 24 stored in the data store 165 for generating the report. The server processing system 160 can be configured to generate graphs such as bar charts, pie charts, and the like to graphically depict the skill competency data 1080 of the user in the report. The report can also include a table or graph indicative of the user's historical. skills competency acquisition. 5 In another variation, the server processing system 160 may adjust, on a periodic basis, at least some of the skill competency values 1021. of the skills competency data 1020 in accordance with a temporal skills competency rule and a record of completed skills acquisition tasks undertaken by the user. In particular, this functionality reflects the 10 concept that the competency that a particular user possesses for one or more skills of the skill set may fade over time without regular skills competency updates. For example, a computer engineer working as a patent attorney may have once possessed substantial competency for digital technology when undertaking a computer engineering 15 degree, however over time, this competency may have reduced due to the nature of the respective workplace. As such, the respective user may be recommended by the server processing system to undertake one or more skills acquisition tasks to maintain a level of skill competency for a particular skill of the skill set. In one embodiment, the server processing system may identify when such a skills competency adjustment may occur for 20 one or more of the skill acquisition values of the user skills acquisition data and warn the user at the client processing system accordingly, such as providing a deadline, in order to avoid the skills acquisition data adjustment. The warning may include a recommendation of one or more skills acquisition tasks for the user to undertake to maintain the skill competency value for the skill in question. 25 It will be appreciated that each skills acquisition task may be one or a qualification, a certification level, or the like. It will be appreciated that a computer program product may also be provided which 30 includes a computer readable medium having stored therein computer executable instructions for configuring the server processing to perform one or more of the methods WO 2011/116429 PCT/AU2011/000344 -25 hereinbefore described. Similarly, it will be appreciated that a server processing system similar to that of processing system 100 can be configured to perform one or more of the methods hereinbefore described. 5 Many modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (26)

1. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the data store has stored therein a plurality of skills acquisition task records, wherein each skills acquisition task record is indicative of a respective skills acquisition task and corresponding skills acquisition data, wherein the method includes the server processing system obtaining the skills acquisition 20 data from the data store according to the skills acquisition task indicated by the skills acquisition notice.
2. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the skills competency data and the skills acquisition data are arrays including a plurality of skill competency values indicative of a 25 degree of competency for the set of skills.
3. 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the method includes, in the server processing system, steps of: comparing the skills competency data for the user against the skills acquisition data 30 of the plurality of skills acquisition task records; determining a recommended skills acquisition task for the user to undertake; and WO 2011/116429 PCT/AU2011/000344 -27 transferring the recommended skills acquisition task to the client processing system.
4. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the method includes, in the server 5 processing system, steps of: determining, for each skills acquisition task and relative to the skills competency. data, skills competency differential data for the set of skills; determining, based upon the skills competency differential data, an average skills competency differential for each skills acquisition task; and 10 determining, based upon the average skills competency differential and a recommended skills acquisition task rule, the recommended skills acquisition task for the user.
5. 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the method includes the server 15 processing system dismissing one. or more skills acquisition tasks for recommendation in the event that the average skills competency differential is indicative of the user currently possessing a greater average skills competency for the set of skills.
6. 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the method includes the server 20 processing system applying the recommended skills acquisition task rule to identify one of the skills acquisition tasks having an average skills competency differential which is closest to an optimum average skills competency differential compared to a remainder of the skills acquisition tasks, thereby identifying the recommended skills acquisition task. 25 8. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the skills acquisition task rule is dependent upon a frequency distribution data generated by the server processing system upon the skills competency differential data.
7. 9. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the method includes the 30 server processing system determining an ordered list of recommended skills acquisition tasks, wherein the ordered list of recommended skills acquisition tasks is transferred to and WO 2011/116429 PCT/AU2011/000344 -28 presented by the client processing system in descending order of recommendation.
8. 10. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 9, wherein the method includes, in the server processing system, steps of: 5 storing target skills competency data for the user in the data store; comparing the skills competency data against the target skills competency data to generate target skills competency differential data; and determining based upon the target skills competency differential data and at least some of the plurality of skills acquisition task records, one or more recommended skills 10 acquisition tasks for the user to undertake.
9. 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the method includes the server processing system receiving selection data from the client processing system, wherein the selection data is indicative of a selection made at the client processing system of the target 15 skills competency data for the user.
10. 12. The method according to claim. 11, wherein the server processing system is configured to manage skills acquisition for a plurality of other users, wherein the method includes, in the-server processing system, steps of: 20 receiving the selection data indicative of a selection of one of the other users as a target user for the user; identifying, from the data store and based upon the selection data, skills competency data for the target user; and storing the skills competency data for the target user as the target skills competency 25 data for the user,
11. 13. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 12, wherein the method includes the server processing system comparing the skills competency data for the user against the skills acquisition data of the plurality of skills acquisition task records to determine an 30 equivalent skills acquisition task which the user satisfies based upon the skills competency data for the user. WO 2011/116429 PCT/AU2011/000344 - 29 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the method includes, in the server processing system, steps of: determining, for each skills acquisition task and relative to the skills competency 5 data, skills competency differential data for the set of skills; determining, based upon the skills competency differential data, an average skills competency differential for each skills acquisition task; and determining, based upon the average skills competency differential for the plurality of skills acquisition tasks and using an equivalent skills acquisition task rule, the 10 equivalent skills acquisition task which the user satisfies.
12. 15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the method includes the server processing system applying the equivalent skills acquisition task rule to identify the equivalent skills acquisition task having an average skills competency differential which is 15 closest to zero.
13. 16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the equivalent skills acquisition task rule is dependent upon a frequency distribution data generated by the server processing system upon the skills competency differential data. 20
14. 17. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the method includes the server processing system determining a plurality of equivalent skills acquisition tasks that the user satisfies based upon the skills competency data for the user. 25 18. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein the method includes the server processing system generating the report further indicative of the equivalent skills acquisition task.
15. 19. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 18, wherein the method includes 30 the server processing system: determining. a skills competency metric based upon the skills competency data for WO 2011/116429 PCT/AU2011/000344 -30 the user; and recording, in the data store, the skills competency metric for the user.
16. 20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the step of determining the skills 5 competency metric includes the server processing system performing a weighted summation of the plurality of skill competency values for the skills competency data for the user.
17. 21. The method according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the method includes the server 10 processing system identifying, using the skills competency metric and a certification lookup table, an equivalent certification level for the user.
18. 22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the method includes the server processing system generating the report to further be indicative of the equivalent 15 certification level for the user.
19. 23. The method according to any one of claims 1.to 22, wherein at least some of the skills acquisition tasks are one of: a qualification; 20 a certification; and a training program.
20. 24. The method according to any one of claims I to 23, wherein the method includes the server processing system: 25 receiving, from the client processing system, user personal data; and generating, using the personal data, the report as a curriculum vitae.
21. 25. A server processing system for managing skills acquisition for a user, wherein the server processing system is configured to: 30 receive, from a client processing system in data communication with the server processing system, skills competency data indicative a user's competency for a set of WO 2011/116429 PCT/AU2011/000344 -31 skills; store the skills competency data in a data store; receive a skills acquisition notice indicative of a skills acquisition task completed by the user; 5 obtain skills acquisition data based upon the skills acquisition task; update the skills competency data for the user according to the skills acquisition data; and generate a report indicative of the user's competency for the set of skills. 10 26. The server processing system according to claim 25, wherein the server processing system is configured to perform the method of any one of claims I to 24.
22. 27. A computer program product stored upon a computer readable medium having computer executable instructions stored thereon for configuring a server processing system 15 to manage skills acquisition for a user, wherein the computer executable instructions, when executed by a server processing system, configure the server processing to: receive, from a client processing system in data communication with the server processing system, skills competency data indicative a user's competency, for a set of skills; 20 store the skills competency data in a data store; receive a skills acquisition notice indicative of a skills acquisition task completed by the user; obtain skills acquisition data based upon the skills acquisition task; update the skills competency data for the user according to the skills acquisition 25 data; and generate a report indicative of the user's competency for the set of skills.
23. 28. The computer program product of claim 27, wherein the computer program product configures the server processing system to perform the method of any one of claims I to 30 24. WO 2011/116429 PCT/AU2011/000344 -32
24. 29. A method of managing skills acquisition for a user, the method being substantially hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
25. 30. A server processing system for managing skills acquisition for a user, the server 5 processing system being substantially hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
26. 31. A computer program product for managing skills acquisition for a user, the computer program product being substantially hereinbefore described with reference to the 10 accompanying drawings.