| KEYNOTE SPEAKER | KEYNOTE SPEAKER | DINNER SPEAKER |
|---|---|---|
Isaiah Dawe
| John Tucker
| Steven Bradbury
|
Raised in New South Wales’ foster care system, Isaiah Dawe’s difficult upbringing would only inspire him to become a force for good. From a young boy with limited literacy skills, to being the CEO and founder of ‘ID. Know Yourself’, Isaiah continues to support disadvantaged youths across Australia as a mentor and role model. Funded by the Department of Communities and Justice in NSW, the organisation guides young Indigenous people living in the out-of-home care system to break out of inter-generational trauma, empowering them to make a positive impact on themselves and their local community. Without a healthy support network, many youths are stripped of their culture and identity, leading to a rise in high school dropouts, homelessness and crime. ‘ID. Know Yourself’ hopes to bridge that gap by mentoring youths to become whoever they want to be, regardless of where they came from. An inspiration to all, Isaiah was the first Aboriginal person to be awarded the TAFE NSW Student Graduate of the Year in 2017. Not long after, he also became the first Aboriginal person to be appointed Chair of the NSW Youth Advisory Committee, and was also named a Finalist for Channel Seven’s Young Achiever Award in 2019. | John has over 30 years’ experience in the Vocational Training Sector. As TAFE Queensland’s Chief Executive Officer, John leads the TAFE Queensland senior executive team and reports directly to the TAFE Queensland Board. Prior to his current CEO role, John was the General Manager of TAFE Queensland SkillsTech, which is Australia’s largest trade and technical specialist training entity. John has held numerous senior executive roles in the sector over his career and is a passionate advocate for the value of vocational training. John began his career in the sector as a teacher and after progressing through management and senior leadership roles, quality education for our clients remains core to his strong sense of purpose aligned to the TAFE Queensland values. John has dedicated his career to developing strategy and informing policies to ensure best practice in skills training at a senior level. John has been instrumental in shaping training initiatives nationally as well as here in Queensland. As an educator at heart, John brings a focus on our core purpose embedded in the critical relationship between teacher and learner. John is a highly respected industry leader in this sector and has achieved frequent national recognition in high performance leadership. In addition to a Bachelor of Adult and Vocational Education, John is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds qualifications in Executive Management and Development from UNSW’s Australian Graduate School of Management. John is a non-executive director and board member of WorldSkills Australia as well as a board member of TAFE Directors Australia and the Queensland Overseas Foundation. | Steven Bradbury OAM is an esteemed Australian sports icon and motivational speaker celebrated for his historic victory at the 2002 Winter Olympics. As a former track speed skater and four-time Olympian, Steven made history by clinching the 1,000m event, becoming Australia and the Southern Hemisphere’s inaugural Winter Olympic Gold Medallist. His triumph, famously known as “doing a Bradbury”, embodies the spirit of perseverance and unexpected success against formidable odds. Steven’s path to Olympic glory was marked by incredible adversity. In 1994, a harrowing racing accident resulted in a life-threatening injury where he lost 4 litres of blood and endures 111 stitches after being impaled by a rival’s skate. However, undeterred by this setback, he staged a remarkable comeback to only face another daunting challenge in 2000 – a neck injury from a training mishap that required wearing a halo brace for six weeks. Despite these setbacks, Steven’s unwavering determination and strategic approach ultimately led to his crowning achievement for which he was awarded ‘The Don Award’ – Australia’s best sporting performance in 2002. Steve garnered global admiration for his honesty and humility following his victory. He viewed his triumph not merely as a result of one race but as the culmination of 12 years of rigorous training and overcoming significant setbacks. While some characterised Steven’s victory as lucky, securing Olympic Gold demanded far more than just luck. Like in business, strategy planning and meticulous preparation were crucial components of Steven’s success. |
Please note: more panellists will be added in the near future.
| DISCUSSION PANEL - Enhancing the voices of VET stakeholders Sponsored by Construction Skills Queensland | ||
| FACILITATOR | ||
 | John King, Managing Director, NCVER John was appointed Managing Director of the National Centre for Vocational Education Research in July 2024. He has led the use of evidence in social policy. In his previous role as Chief Data Officer at Seer Data and Analytics, he helped community organisations to access and use data effectively. As Executive Director of Analytics, Evaluation, and Research at the Victorian Departments of Health and Families, Fairness and Housing, he helped pioneer the use of linked data, advanced analytics, and evaluation in health and human services policy and programs. He also brings a strong background in skills policy, with senior executive roles in the Victorian and South Australian public services. | |
| PANELLISTS | ||
 | Dr Jodie Trembath, Director, Skills, Employment and Small Business, ACCI Dr Jodie Trembath leads ACCI’s policy and advocacy work in the skills area – including VET, higher education, international education and schools – as well as on issues related to employment and workforce planning, migration, tourism and small business. She represents ACCI on a range of private and government boards and committees, including for the Manufacturing Industry Skills Alliance JSC, Manufacturing Skills Australia and the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations’ Strategic Industry Advisory Committee and VET workforce Blueprint Steering Group. Her policy background has ranged across higher education, international education and arts and cultural policy. Jodie has worked in key communications roles for a range of university and dual sector providers in Australia and abroad. She has a PhD in organisational anthropology. | |
 | Brett Schimming, Chief Executive Officer, Build Skills Brett Schimming is the Chief Executive Officer of BuildSkills Australia. BuildSkills was created under the Australian Government’s Jobs and Skills Council Program to address skills and training needs and deliver the nation’s workforce plan for the Built Environment sector. BuildSkills is an active partner in the national conversation around jobs and skills, listening to industry and translating their concerns into evidence-based policy and program responses. Brett has amassed over 20 years of experience and knowledge across the Vocational Education and Training and Building and Construction sectors. He has qualifications in education, business, and public policy, and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management and the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Brett has been a Member of the Australian Industry Skills and Industry Committee. | |
 | Jacqueline Braw, Senior Advocacy and Government Relations Manager, Diversity Council Australia Jacqueline is currently the Senior Advocacy and Government Relations Manager for the Diversity Council Australia, the national peak not-for-profit body, leading diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Prior to this role, she spent most of her working life in the NSW public sector including 16 years with the NSW Police Force as their LGBTIQ Senior Policy and Projects Officer. Her experience included time with Aboriginal Affairs, NSW Attorney General’s Department, NSW Health, Premiers and TAFE NSW as well as working in the community sector at ACON and in community housing. Throughout her career, Jacqueline developed a unique capacity for advocating for community interests, social justice and human rights whilst understanding the need for diplomacy, balancing the realities of the public sector and government with the pressing need for reform. On a personal note, a few years ago Jacqueline moved to the beachside suburb of Maroubra – or Marubrah – the Aboriginal word for lightening or thunder, inspired by the thundering sound of the surf as it hits the rocky beach. She spends a lot of her free time in the sea and hanging out with her best friend, Frankie the schmoodle. | |
 | David Martin, Executive Officer, Western Riverina Community College David Martin, with a robust background in education administration and business, joined Western Riverina Community College in 2004, where he has played a pivotal role in the College’s significant growth. Through his additional leadership positions, including several years as Chair of Community Colleges Australia (CCA), David has contributed to the development and enhancement of community education across Australia. He holds a Master of Education Leadership and Policy, a Bachelor of Adult Learning and Development, and qualifications in business and accounting. | |
Please note: This program is subject to change
| 13:00 | Registration open, arrival tea and coffee: Ground level, Robina Events Centre, 94 Laver Drive, Robina | |
|---|---|---|
| 13:30 | WORKSHOP 1 | WORKSHOP 2 |
Knowledge is power: using VOCEDplus to find relevant research and resources | Data insights from the voices of students and employers: learn how to extract and analyse survey data | |
The National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) produces VOCEDplus – a free international research database for tertiary education, with a strong emphasis on vocational education and training (VET). VOCEDplus contains more than 100,000 publications, including journal articles, reports, books, conference papers, theses, and more. But how can you make the most of this rich resource? This interactive workshop will take you on a tour of the VOCEDplus website and demonstrate how to find the best information to meet your needs. You will learn how to easily and effectively search the database and use key resources including the Pod Network and the VET Practitioner Resource. The Pod Network provides a range of curated material through 13 Pods on broad topics such as Apprenticeships and traineeships, Foundation skills, Student outcomes, and Teaching and learning. There are also 20 Podlets on narrower topics including Disability, Disadvantaged, Indigenous, Migration and skills, Online learning, and Skill needs. By attending this workshop you’ll improve your research skills and gain valuable insights into how VOCEDplus can assist with your current role or studies, enhance your practice and support your professional development. Tracy Gamlin, NCVER | Are you interested in unpacking NCVER survey data to further understand students’ and employers’ experiences with training but don’t know where to start? Then join us for an interactive and hands-on workshop presented by NCVER’s team of surveys data specialists. Around a quarter of a million students annually respond to the National Student Outcomes Survey. Biennially over 5,000 employers complete the Survey of Employers’ Use and Views of the VET System. Whilst the data are collected and often reported at a national level, data users can explore the diverse experiences from training at various levels from specific industries to student equity groups. This interactive workshop will include an introduction to the National VET Surveys and, focusing on the VET student outcomes data, will include:
By the end of the workshop, you will be able to select the best NCVER tool to access, interrogate and build your own data tables, gaining greater understanding on how to use this dataset to guide your own work. Davinia Blomberg and Cameron Forrest, NCVER | |
| 15:00 | AFTERNOON TEA | |
| 15:30 | WORKSHOP 3 | WORKSHOP 4 |
Your voice matters: addressing VET workforce research and data gaps | Exploring diverse youth transitions in Australia: insights from the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) | |
The recent VET Workforce Blueprint found that there is an incomplete understanding of roles in the VET workforce, that the data that exists lacks sophistication and precision, and that there are workforce challenges that need further research. This interactive workshop will begin with a brief summary of Job Skills Australia’s current research and development work that support the VET Workforce Blueprint foundational national actions, ‘Building a Better Understanding of the VET Workforce’. Participants will then focus on a generative discussion to help identify research and data gaps, co-designing options for further research to learn what areas they feel need to be better understood about both qualitative and quantitative data, and the wider VET workforce so the sector can continue to grow and become a more inclusive space. The session warmly welcomes practitioners, policy makers, researchers and VET sector experts to engage in this early opportunity which will be part of a much broader public consultation on how to address the data and research challenges faced by the VET workforce in order to realise the opportunities of quality data to better understand the workforce. This work will be contextualised by work undertaken by DEWR and JSA to understand key design principles for First Nations people working in VET and will draw on JSA’s draft Gender Framework which aims to embed and build capability in gendered and intersectional analysis. Elizabeth Knight and Leigh Harlow, Jobs and Skills Australia | For three decades, the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) has provided valuable insights into the diverse pathways young people take from school to further education, training, and employment. Since 1995, the survey program has interviewed over 60,000 participants, offering rich data on the experiences of young Australians, including those from varied socioeconomic, cultural, and geographic backgrounds. Ronnie Semo, NCVER | |
| 17:00 | WORKSHOPS CONCLUDE | |
| 17:15 | WELCOME RECEPTION - sponsored by Charles Sturt University Ground level, Robina Events Centre, 94 Laver Drive, Robina. | |
| 19:00 | WELCOME RECEPTION CONCLUDES | |
Please note: This program is subject to change
| 8:00 | Registration, arrival tea and coffee Ground level, Robina Events Centre, 94 Laver Drive, Robina | 9:20 | Co-host welcome: Karen Dickinson, General Manager, Gold Coast region, TAFE Queensland |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9:00 | Conference starts Level 4, Robina Events Centre | 9:30 | Ministerial address |
| 9:05 | Welcome to Country | 9:45 | OPENING KEYNOTE ADDRESS - Sponsored by the Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA) Isaiah Dawe, Founder and CEO, ID. Know Yourself |
| 9:10 | NCVER welcome: John King, Managing Director, NCVER | 10:45 | Sponsor introductions |
| 10:55 | Morning tea - sponsored by Healthy Business Training Academy | ||
| 11:15 | DISCUSSION PANEL - Sponsored by Construction Skills Queensland Enhancing the voices of VET stakeholders (Level 4, Robina Events Centre) | ||
| Concurrent sessions - Day 1 | |||
| Room 204 | Room 207 | Room 208 & 209 | Room 310 & 311 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12:05 | Enhancing employability outcomes for a diverse workforce | Expanding gender diversity and equity in VET | Inclusive training practices for a diverse workforce | Supporting learners from diverse backgrounds in VET |
Putting research in action-based learning: Project Ready VET program | Manufacturing women’s participation: barriers to women in the manufacturing industry and potential solutions | Engaging in conversations: talking with ADHD construction apprentices to improve training design and delivery | Effective student support: enabling the learner journey | |
Ms Nicky Leitch, CEO | Ms Maryann Quagliata, Strategic Advisor | Mr Andrew Green, Principal Adviser - Learners with Disabilities Dr Janet McHardy, Researcher | Dr Upekha Andrahannadi, Research Officer Dr Tabatha Griffin, Senior Researcher and Team Leader | |
| 12:45 | Lunch break | |||
| 13:45 | Amplifying the voices and perspectives of First Nations people in VET | Enhancing employability outcomes for a diverse workforce | Inclusive approaches to VET design and delivery | Strengthening pathways into VET and beyond for a diverse range of learners |
VET voices of success. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student experiences | Social inclusion and sustainability in VET: global stories in textile stewardship | AI-generated assessments: enhancing inclusivity and personalisation in VET assessment design | Who benefits from pre-apprenticeships? | |
Mrs Natalie Gardam, Student Doctor of Education | Ms Lisa Piller, Principal Lecturer | Ms Eve Price, Portfolio Manager | Miss Joanne Waugh, Senior Research Officer Ms Melinda Lees, Team Leader, Research & Data Analytics | |
| 14:30 | Amplifying the voices and perspectives of First Nations people in VET | Enhancing Employability Outcomes for a Diverse Workforce | Inclusive Approaches to VET Design and Delivery | Strengthening Pathways into VET and Beyond for a Diverse Range of Learners |
Bayabuni - the voice (less) place of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in VET policy | Engaging Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) adult learners in online learning | Student voices in Australian VET – future plans for the Student Outcomes Survey | Revitalising RPL: meeting the needs of diverse learners and professionals through new methods for skills recognition | |
Ms Anissa Jones, Indigenous Academic Specialist | Ms Yan Zhou, PhD Candidate & Teaching Academic | Dr Cameron Forrest, Data Analyst | Ms Melinda Brown, General Manager | |
| 15:15 | Afternoon tea | |||
| 15:45 | Expanding gender diversity and equity in VET | Inclusive approaches to VET design and delivery | Supporting learners from diverse backgrounds in VET | Inclusive training practices for a diverse workforce |
Breaking barriers: empowering women to excel in construction trades | Auslan, Interpreting and Translating Qualification Review project – an inclusive approach | Amplifying diverse voices: inclusive practices at TAFE Queensland | Effective teaching and learning: teacher perspectives on what works best for whom | |
Mr Greg Durkin, Director Ms Amanda Williams, Principal Advisor for Women | Ms Niki Habibis, Manager, Training Promotion and Implementation | Mrs Emma Rice, Senior Advisor, Learning and Teaching Ms Heidi Gould, Student Support Manager | Dr Tabatha Griffin, Senior Researcher and Team Leader | |
| 16:30 | Expanding gender diversity and equity in VET | Inclusive approaches to VET design and delivery | Supporting learners from diverse backgrounds in VET | Inclusive training practices for a diverse workforce |
Increasing female participation in Automotive Industry Retail, Service and Repair qualifications – a success story | Putting vocation back in vocational education: supporting learners to create meaningful and sustainable careers | Disengaged First Nations and migrant learners’ experiences with foundation skills courses | Adapting teaching and learning to meet the needs of diverse VET learners | |
Dr Aneeq Sarwar, Senior Manager, Workforce Planning and Policy, AusMASA | Dr Michael Healy, National Career Education Manager, myfuture.edu.au | Ms Bridget Wibrow, Senior Research Officer, NCVER | Ms Fran Baxter, Executive Director, Value Learning Mrs Marcela Lapertosa, Director of Education, Value Learning | |
| 17:10 | Concurrent sessions conclude | |||
| 18:30 | CONFERENCE DINNER - Sponsored by RTOSafe Guest speaker: Steven Bradbury, Four-time Olympian The Island Gold Coast, 3128 Surfers Paradise, Queensland 4217 | |||
| 22:00 | Conference Dinner concludes | |||
Please note: This program is subject to change
| 8:30 | Registration, arrival tea and coffee Ground level, Robina Events Centre, 94 Laver Drive, Robina |
|---|---|
| 9:00 | Day 2 Welcome: Level 4 , Robina Events Centre |
| 9:05 | KEYNOTE ADDRESS John Tucker, CEO, TAFE Queensland |
| 9:50 | Morning tea |
| Concurrent sessions - Day two |
| Room 204 | Room 207 | Room 208 & 209 | Room 310 & 311 | Room 309 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10:20 | Inclusive approaches to VET design and delivery | Inclusive training practices for a diverse workforce | Strengthening pathways into VET and beyond for a diverse range of learners | Supporting learners from diverse backgrounds in VET | Building digital literacy for a diverse learner base |
Student and community voice in rural operations curriculum: an inclusive approach to VET design | Mater Education Neurodiversity Inclusion project | Understanding what drives students to pick a particular RTO – a focus on student support services | Anchors in the chaos: the role of teachers in fostering well-being in VET pathways | Digital skills in high demand: what digital skills are being sought by industry and how can they be developed? | |
A/Prof Steven Hodge, Director, Dr Reshman Tabassum, Research & People Manager, | Ms Maaike O'Connor, Learning Advisor, | Ms Bridget Wibrow, Senior Research Officer, | Mr Liam Frost-Camilleri, Academic, | Dr Caroline Smith, Executive Director, | |
| 11:10 | Inclusive approaches to VET design and delivery | Inclusive training practices for a diverse workforce | Strengthening pathways into VET and beyond for a diverse range of learners | Supporting learners from diverse backgrounds in VET | Building digital literacy for a diverse learner base |
Designing effective engagement strategies to get the right input | Profit before pedagogy: examining the success and failure of private providers in Australia’s Vocational Education and Training (VET) market | Building pathways, not just facilities: what VET can do to support women in trades | Developing a deeper understanding of foundation skills learner journeys | Enhancing digital literacy for diverse VET students: strategies for success | |
Mrs Anita Roberts, Senior Research Fellow, Dr Justin Brown, Principal Research Fellow, Mrs Louise Wignall, Senior Research Fellow, | Dr Rocco Guarnaccia, Head of Vocational Education and Training, | Mrs Rebecca Spicer, Principal Lecturer, | Dr Angus Hughes, Senior Data Analyst, Dr Zhihui Zhang, Data Analyst, | Mrs Samantha Crowe, Senior Advisor Educator Capability, | |
| Concurrent sessions conclude | |||||
| 12:00 | LUNCH BREAK | ||||
| 13:00 | OPEN DISCUSSION Level 4, Robina Events Centre | ||||
| 13:45 | Closing remarks | ||||
| 14:00 | Conference concludes | ||||
Welcome Reception - Sponsored by Charles Sturt University
Taking place at the Robina Events Centre on Wednesday 9 July 2025, the ‘No Frills’ Welcome Reception will provide delegates with the opportunity to connect with fellow attendees, speakers, and industry experts in a relaxed and informal setting. Whether you're attending 'No Frills' to learn, share ideas, or engage with industry peers, the Welcome Reception sets the perfect tone for the days ahead.
Conference Dinner
The 2025 ‘No Frills’ Conference Dinner will be held on Thursday 10 July 2025 at The Island Gold Coast (3128 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise Queensland 4217).
Perched in the heart of Surfers Paradise, the Island offers the ultimate Gold Coast experience with rooftop views of the CBD and across to Surfers Paradise Beach. A perfect opportunity to network with colleagues in a relaxed but formal setting.
Delegates that purchase a registration package including a ticket to the Conference Dinner will be treated to drinks, a delicious three-course dinner and a special guest dinner speaker, four-time Olympian, Steven Bradbury.
Steven Bradbury is an esteemed Australian sports icon and motivational speaker celebrated for his historic victory at the 2002 Winter Olympics. As a former track speed skater, Steven made history by clinching the 1,000m event, becoming Australia and the Southern Hemisphere’s inaugural Winter Olympic Gold Medallist. His triumph, famously known as 'doing a Bradbury', embodies the spirit of perseverance and unexpected success against formidable odds.
To confirm if you have purchased a registration package that includes a ticket to the Conference Dinner, or to change your existing conference registration to include a ticket to the Conference Dinner, click the edit registration button on the top right-hand side of the registration page.
Conference Dinner Transport
The Island Gold Coast is located 20 minutes from the Robina Events Centre. To make getting to and from the Conference Dinner easier for delegates, bus transportation has been arranged for $20 per person. Tickets can be purchased for the Conference Dinner transport during the registration process. View the collection points at the recommended accommodation options .
Data centre
Delegates interested in accessing data can speak to an NCVER data expert, one-on-one. This personalised service provides delegates the opportunity to explore data tools and resources, from an introduction to VOCSTATS, to constructing tables for specific data, or exploring NCVER's range of data products and tools, we'll be happy to point you in the right direction.
To book a time to visit the data centre, please visit the reception desk at the conference.
