Catalyst Lab Innovation Program - Scheme

⁠⁠⁠The NSW Department of Education of 105 Phillip Street, Parramatta, NSW, 2150 (the department) is establishing the Catalyst Lab Innovation Program – Prequalification Scheme (the Scheme). The Scheme will consist of prequalified service providers with the aim to streamline the process of procuring innovation advisory and implementation services required to deliver the program.

In 2018 the Department of Education initiated the Catalyst Lab Innovation Program (the Program) as part of the department’s commitment to developing innovative solutions to complex challenges in education. The program aims to support the development, testing and scaling of innovative ideas and practices across the department.

In June 2018 the department trialled the Program through a pilot focusing on harnessing innovative ideas from one operational directorate. Following a successful pilot process, the department intends to expand the Program in 2019.

The aim of the Scheme is to assist the department in the design and delivery of innovation programs that support the identification and development of solutions to education challenges that can be supported and scaled more broadly across the system.

Key objectives of the Scheme include:
* Create a qualified list of providers with track record in innovation services that the department can access; and
* Create opportunities for a range of suitable providers in the market to work with the department and contribute to the delivery of the Program.

The Scheme will be open for providers to prequalify under the following categories:
1. Innovation program design and implementation
An innovation program is designed to support the identification of innovative ideas that can be developed, tested and potentially scaled across the department.

Suppliers may be requested to design, implement and/or support an innovation program or specific components of it, for instance workshops, boot camps, design sprints, incubators, accelerators, mentoring and support services or specific one-off tailored solutions.

2. Training and capabilities development services in the area of innovation
The department is committed to the continuous professional development of its employees. One of the objectives of the Program is to build skills and capabilities and to enhance the department’s internal capacity in the area of innovation. Delivery methods of training and capabilities development services can include face to face workshops (including in regional NSW), online webinars, videos, video conferencing, etc., through existing or newly created channels.