The global skills and competency framework for the digital world
SFIA Monthly News - July 2025

SFIA Monthly News - July 2025

Website revamp | New Zealand digital capability | Enhanced user experience

Recent updates from the SFIA Foundation

Contents

  1. SFIA website revamp
  2. New Zealand whole-of-country licence
  3. Expanding international representation on the SFIA Foundation Board.
  4. SFIA 9 quick links

SFIA website revamp: A more engaging introduction to SFIA

Making SFIA more accessible and intuitive for first-time visitors whilst enhancing the experience for established users

  • We're made some major changes to the SFIA home page, designed to create a more engaging and informative experience for everyone visiting our site - particularly those discovering SFIA for the first time.

  • Our new home page transforms the first impression visitors have of SFIA, telling the story of what SFIA is, why it matters, and how it can help both organisations and individuals succeed in the digital world.

  • The revamped design emphasises SFIA's unique position as a globally trusted framework that connects technical skills with behavioural factors and real-world responsibility.

The SFIA website is heavily used by existing users of SFIA so we have also enhanced these three core sections:

  • Browse the framework: All SFIA skills A–Z with intelligent search, seven levels of responsibility, focused views for cyber/AI/cloud/DevOps, and previous framework versions
  • Help and resources: SFIA skills profiles for validated role maps, case studies and webinars, skills assessments and digital badges, framework mappings, and partner support for consultancy and tools
  • Learning hub: A new dedicated starting point for learning - to be used by both newcomers and experienced users. Essential SFIA knowledge for newcomers, explanatory videos, working examples, SFIA Foundation information, and the perfect launchpad before exploring the framework or practical tools

Benefits for existing users: Clearer pathways to advanced content and a more professional gateway when directing colleagues or senior leadership to understand SFIA's strategic value.

Growing the SFIA community: A more accessible entry point helps increase visibility and adoption of SFIA globally—directly supporting the SFIA Foundation's strategic imperative to expand the framework's reach. 

All existing features and content remain available - we've simply made SFIA easier to discover, understand, and apply.

  • The same trusted framework with enhanced usability for everyone from senior executives exploring skills strategy to individual professionals planning career development.

→ Explore the new home page

New Zealand demonstrates comprehensive approach to national digital capability

Whole-of-country licence supports skills-based workforce development across all sectors of the economy

  • New Zealand has established a whole-of-country SFIA licence, making the framework freely available to all individuals, public sector and private sector organisations across the country.

  • Monica Greenan, General Manager, Agency Partnerships & Capability at the Government Chief Digital Office, recently announced: "I am pleased to share the launch of new information and guidance on 'Building a Digitally Capable Public Service Workforce'. A digitally capable workforce is essential to delivering modern, effective public services for all New Zealanders."

  • "A key focus is the Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA). We hold the New Zealand country license for SFIA, supporting a consistent approach to describing digital skills and roles. We encourage its use across both public and private sectors."

  • The New Zealand Government, through the Department of Internal Affairs, is strongly encouraging public service agencies to use SFIA as a core digital capability framework.

New Zealand agencies are already demonstrating the practical value of this approach:

  • Ministry of Social Development has used SFIA skills and core competencies to define four seniority levels across their technology practice areas, creating consistent position descriptions and supporting learning pathway design. Their SFIA-aligned learning and development framework enables skills-based career planning and continuous development.
  • Ministry for the Environment (MfE) has profiled staff against SFIA skills to identify capability gaps and key-person risks, using this intelligence to inform both development plans and hiring decisions. Their approach enables staff to see exactly how each skill connects to services and strategic objectives.
  • These agencies have also developed sophisticated workforce planning models, with MfE creating demand mapping systems that forecast resource needs by linking project requirements to individual staff skill profiles—enabling proactive workforce allocation and reducing recruitment burden.

This whole-of-country model provides practical tools including SFIA-based self-assessment capabilities, structured career development pathways, and a national basis for skills assessment. By making SFIA freely available for commercial use within New Zealand, the Government has created an ecosystem that supports both public and private sector digital skills development.

→ Explore New Zealand's digital capability framework

Expanding international representation on the SFIA Foundation Board.

  • We are pleased to announce Josh Griggs, CEO of ACS, is joining the SFIA Foundation Board.  ACS is a professional association representing Australia’s technology community, across industry, government and education.

Not explored SFIA 9 yet?

Discover the framework's latest evolution, including enhanced AI and cybersecurity skills, improved business factors, and new navigation tools. → Visit SFIA 9 Quick Links

Thank you for your continued support.

Best regards,

Peter Leather
SFIA Updates Manager
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