Vocational education and training (VET) researchers, industry professionals and policy makers from across Australia head to Melbourne this week, to discuss challenges facing the VET sector at the 23rd National Vocational Education and Training Research Conference ‘No Frills’.
Co-hosted by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) and Holmesglen, conference highlights include an opening keynote address by Steve Sargent, President and CEO of GE Mining, and Coordinating Chair of the B20 Human Capital Taskforce.
“We are thrilled to have global industry leader, Steve Sargent, open this year’s conference. Steve can provide a unique insight into the future labour market, and the impact it will have on jobs and businesses. The challenge of ensuring the VET sector plays a critical role in delivering the right skills for industry is at the forefront of the change agenda” said Mr Rod Camm, Managing Director, NCVER.
“The world is changing rapidly – we’re seeing technological advances such as big data, low cost sensors and cloud computing reinventing industries and changing the way we work. At the same time, the world is experiencing a unique phenomenon of jobless growth and high youth unemployment. The impact on the types of skills we will need for the future is profound, so the decisions we make today – particularly around vocational education and training – is critical” said Mr Steve Sargent.
Steve will talk about key trends driving the future of work, including maximising job creation, and what this will mean for VET and higher education in terms of providing education, training and skills to meet labour demand.
Mark Burford, Executive Director, Mitchell Institute for Health and Education Policy, will open day two of the conference with the keynote presentation When research meets policy: confessions of a sometimes successful and sometimes failed policy maker.
The program also features more than 50 workshops and presentations over three days, covering topics such as; pathways and partnerships; youth engagement; training and assessment issues in VET and support structures for students.
The 23rd National Vocational Education and Training Research Conference ‘No Frills’ will be held at Hemisphere Conference Centre and Hotel, at Holmesglen’s Moorabbin campus from 9 – 11 July 2014.
Chief Executive of Holmesglen, Mary Faraone said "Holmesglen is pleased to support the conference and acknowledges the importance of credible, reliable and responsive research to inform and influence VET in Australia."
For further information visit: www.ncver.edu.au/newsevents/events.html
Media are invited to attend.
Media enquiries: Rebecca Farrell, Media and Communications Officer, P +61 8 8230 8418 or 0407 608 409