2026 Skills Conference

"Unleash the Potential" - Welcome to Country & Opening Remarks

Jason Sultana – Executive Officer – Apprentice Employment Network NSW & ACT  

Sharing Insights on the State of the Economy - The Economic Update

The Economic Update session at the Skills Conference, featuring Guy Bruten, Senior Director of Global Macroeconomic Research at AustralianSuper, provides a critical deep dive into the trends currently shaping Australia’s workforce. In an era of rapid transition, this session offers an expert analysis of key economic indicators and market conditions. Attendees will gain a strategic overview of future projections, designed to help businesses, educators, and policymakers navigate the complexities of a shifting job market. Key takeaways include: Strategic Insights: A clear understanding of how global and domestic economic shifts impact local employment and industry demand. Workforce Planning: Practical knowledge to support informed decision-making regarding skills development and long-term recruitment. Financial Literacy: Detailed analysis of how current market volatility influences wages, superannuation, and cost-of-living pressures. This session is essential for anyone looking to stay ahead of the curve, ensuring that workforce strategies remain resilient and responsive to the evolving economic climate.    

Jobs and Skills Australia

Professor Barney Glover AO, the Commissioner of Jobs and Skills Australia, will provide an update on the work being conducted by the agency and share insights into their recent research and reports.

Morning Tea

Innovation in Action: Apprenticeships for the Future Economy

Are we training for the past or the future?  The landscape of work is shifting, and our training systems must do more than just keep up—they must lead. Join us at our upcoming panel session, “Innovation in Action: Apprenticeships for the Future Economy,” where we shift the focus from standard practice to radical new ideas. We’ve gathered Australia’s and New Zealand’s most forward-thinking leaders to share how they are reimagining apprenticeships and traineeships to address future skills. Hosted by Arline Dumazel, Director of Apprenticeships & Traineeships, NSW Department of Education. Panel Members: Commissioner Cameron Baker – South Australian Skills Commission & Josh Williams, Head of Consulting, Skills Group New Zealand

NSW Ministerial Keynote

The Hon. Steve Whan, Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, has been invited to make his annual Ministerial Keynote to discuss his work on the NSW Skills Plan and addressing the skill shortages.  

The Augmented Workforce: Preparing Apprentices, Employers and Leaders for an AI-Driven Future

Artificial intelligence, automation and robotics are no longer future trends. They are actively reshaping how work is performed across construction, manufacturing, automotive, energy, hospitality and professional services. Intelligent systems are optimising diagnostics, planning, scheduling and even physical trade tasks, fundamentally altering the skills profile required in modern workplaces. For Group Training Organisations and host employers, the leadership challenge is clear. It is not simply about placing apprentices into roles. It is about preparing young people, workplaces and leadership teams to thrive in an AI-integrated economy marked by rapid change, digital risk and evolving workforce expectations. This keynote will explore how technological acceleration is redefining employability and what this means for the future apprentice. It will examine the capabilities that will matter most in the coming decade, including digital fluency, cyber awareness, adaptability and human judgement. It will also outline practical approaches for strengthening resilience in both apprentices and employers, ensuring businesses remain competitive while young people remain confident and future-ready. Drawing on real-world industry examples, rapid advances in AI and robotics, and practical workforce capability frameworks, this session will challenge leaders to move beyond competency-based thinking alone and focus on building an augmented workforce that combines technical excellence with digital confidence, resilience and strong human capability. This will be presented by Andrew Shea – Managing Director, Skilled Nation

Lunch

Industry-Led Skills Reform: Closing the Gap Between Policy and Practice

With Australia’s skills landscape undergoing its most significant transformation in decades, the priority is clear: reform must reflect real-world demand. Drawing on the deep research and strategic insights of Skills Insight and Australian Industry Group, this session explores the practical mechanics of industry-led reform. We will examine the critical shifts required within the VET system to ensure it remains responsive, resilient, and aligned with national economic goals. Hosted by John Liddicoat, Founder, Octossure. Panel Members: Dr Caroline Smith, Executive Director, CET, Australian Industry Group and Joshua Rayner, Executive Director, Skills Strategies, Skills Insight

Skills for Good—Driving Social Impact Through Apprenticeships and Traineeships

Join this panel discussion to uncover how leading organisations are strategically leveraging apprenticeships and traineeships not just for workforce development, but to create profound social impact. This session will explore successful models where upskilling meets corporate social responsibility. Learn practical, implementable strategies for designing programs that address skills gaps while fostering diversity, empowering local communities, and delivering meaningful social returns. Discover how you can build a sustainable pipeline of talent that transforms lives and strengthens your organisation’s connection to the community. Hosted by: Peter Denison – Chief Delivery Officer, Bedford College Panel Members: Chris Dale – General Manager of Strategy and Design – MEGT & Narelle Stocks – CEO – Skillset

Short Afternoon Tea Break

Keynote Presentation - "Unleash the Potential" - Unleashing Potential in a Hyper-Digital World: digital wellbeing strategies to support apprentices

Today’s Apprentices are coming of age in a world of non-stop notifications, algorithmic feeds and “too much information” competing for their attention. For leaders in the VET and apprenticeship sector, this creates a double challenge: supporting young people’s wellbeing and focus while maintaining productivity, safety and engagement at work. In this 50-minute keynote, psychologist and cyberpsychology educator Jocelyn Brewer draws together three of her most-requested presentations – and tailors them to the realities of managers and leaders of 17–25-year-old apprentices. The session unpacks how social media, online cultures and constant connectivity are shaping attention, motivation, mood and help-seeking, and what this means for leaders, supervisors and host employers. Framed through Jocelyn’s Digital Nutrition philosophy, the session offers a practical, hopeful roadmap for leaders who want to “unleash potential” rather than feel like screen-time police.

Closing Remarks and End of Conference