RMIT Training Innovation Showcase

New ideas and creative business solutions were given the Shark Tank treatment at RMIT Training recently as the staff participants of our first ever Innovation Program pitched concepts to drive transformation across the organisation.

The eight-week Innovation Program, delivered in partnership with RMIT Activator, aims to foster innovation and entrepreneurial skills while allowing staff to collaboratively create business solutions for RMIT Training.

Our 22 budding intrapreneurs initially brainstormed 200 ideas to address the following four challenges:

Changing lives through learning
Fostering new ways of working
Creating a vibrant campus experience for our staff and students
Fostering talent attraction and retention

On Thursday 15 June, following a series of deep-dive experiential workshops, personalised online coaching and self-directed learning, four multidisciplinary teams had 15 minutes each to pitch one viable solution to an Executive Leadership Panel for future development.

RMIT Training and RMIT Activator participants, facilitators and panel members at the inaugural Innovation Program showcase.

The Pitch: Desirable, feasible and viable solutions

Project concepts ranged from an online and physical staff “innovation garden space”, a one-stop professional development platform for staff and reciprocal learning solutions for both students and staff to a student karaoke set up that’s bound to bring the good vibes back to campus.

RMIT Activator Education Product Designer and Facilitator Daniel Christiansen said each of the teams delivered engaging and creative presentations.

“They really animated the stories of the opportunities that their solutions can create.”

RMIT Training CEO Jake Heinrich said it was brilliant to see how each idea had evolved into well-articulated concepts.

“We’ve been exploring for some time what an innovative mindset means, and we’ve absolutely seen it demonstrated by our program participants.

“Innovation at RMIT Training is something we are committed to championing and refining so we can continue to improve the staff and student experience”.

Team Best members (from left to right) Brendan Rowan, Paul Williams, Polly Wu, Reet Virk, Kate McKenzie and Ray Li pitching their professional development solution 'Climb'.

An innovation toolkit for the future

As well as developing tailored business solutions, the Innovation Program provides participants with a modern innovation tool kit that can be used to execute future projects.

Business, Marketing and Societies Foundation Studies Teacher Reet Virk, says the skills she gained while working in a team to create the professional development program “Climb” will greatly assist her in the future.

“As a teacher you have so many ideas for student engagement, teaching and learning but don’t often have the time or opportunity.

“Learning how to bring our ideas to life – from thinking about the end users, testing assumptions, getting user feedback and creating the prototype - was so valuable.”

STEM Laboratory Technician and Foundation Studies Teacher Mez Carroll relished the opportunity to meet and work with colleagues from a range of business areas.

“It’s hard work but you’ll learn a lot, bond with the people you’re working with and realise achievable ideas that can be of benefit to staff and students.”

Next steps

RMIT Training and RMIT Activator will run the next round of the Innovation Program for staff in August.

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

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RMIT Training Innovation Showcase