The size and importance of the Australian Social Economy continues to grow. Unfortunately the professional development options available to institutions and executives in the sector lags best practice. As a consequence the efficiency and effectiveness of the sector is below its potential.

It is time that Australia developed and implemented a strategy to increase the availability of, and reduce the marginal cost of participation in, executive education programs for the Social Economy.

In Australia, the non profit sector accounts for about 11% of non-farm private sector employment and is valued at about 5% of GDP. In total there are about 580,000 employees and 558 million volunteer hours across the 31,000 employing non profit organisations. The services provided by the sector are extremely diverse and range from drug rehabilitation to environmental lobbying to performing arts organisations.

Developing an accurate and sympathetic view of the management and leadership competency of an entire sector of the economy is not an easy task. Turning the learnings into an implementable strategy is even harder.  That said, much good work has been completed and clear recommendations are emerging.