The global skills and competency framework for the digital world
July 2023 - SFIA update

July 2023 - SFIA update

SFIA 9 updates | AI and cyber skills | SFIA API | User webinars and logos

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

SFIA 9 Updates

  1. The Australian Public Service Commission and the Digital Transformation Agency recently hosted workshops to review procurement skills in SFIA 8 and explore enhancements for version 9. Thanks to all who organised and contributed to this.
  2. A series of in-person public events being held across New Zealand in August/September will introduce SFIA to new users, discuss SFIA's role in professional digital skills development, share SFIA themes, and gather SFIA 9 ideas. Full details here.
  3. AI skills for SFIA
    • We are looking for volunteers to help our investigations into skills for AI roles. Our goal is to analyse skills needs for AI users, designers, developers, and deployment specialists.
    • SFIA 8 introduced machine learning and updated data/analytics skills which serve as a starting point.
  4. Cybersecurity skills
    • We remain committed to supporting the industry with a skills framework for cyber and information security.
    • These skills have been part of SFIA from the very first version of SFIA.
      In SFIA 8 we reviewed the NIST CSF and NICE to significantly expand security skills.
    • For SFIA 9, we will review developments since 2021 to ensure SFIA meets evolving needs.

Making SFIA easier to consume

  1. We are developing a REST API for SFIA skills and responsibility levels.
    • Please contact us if you can help test the API.
  2. Help us connect SFIA skills to the specific tools and development environments used in your engineering teams.
  3. This  article by industry analyst Josh Bersin highlights the exciting but sober reality of building a skills-based organization.
    • While SFIA has supported skills-based working for 20+ years, we have recently seen a huge increase in interest in this idea.
    • Despite the challenges outlined in the article, the readily available and flexible SFIA framework makes a big difference as part of the solution.
    • SFIA delivers a shared language to integrate skills across training, career development, and planning through common skills descriptions.
    • Significant time and cost savings come from leveraging SFIA rather than building from scratch. Regular updates ensure alignment with emerging skills needs.

Increase visibility and adoption of SFIA globally

  1. Share your SFIA story via our user webinars.
    • We provide full support if you are interested in presenting your experiences to the SFIA community.
  2. Show support for SFIA by displaying SFIA user logos.
    • Let us know if you would like to feature logos on our site and yours to increase visibility.

Thank you for shaping the future of SFIA through your ongoing participation and feedback. 

Please get in touch.

Peter Leather

SFIA Updates Manager