The 2024 CCA Conference brought together influential voices like Russell Hawkins, CEO of CCA, and David Mackay, Chair of CCA, who discussed the future of Australia's vocational education and training (VET) system in light of the National Skills Agreement and the recent NSW VET Review. With the Hon. Minister Andrew Giles MP, Federal Minister for Skills and Training, highlighting foundational skills and resilience in a changing workforce, it was evident that the evolving needs of society require a VET system that adapts to secure well-paying, accessible jobs for all Australians.
Funding to address low levels of literacy, language, and numeracy (LLN) in Australia, with $77 million allocated for foundation skills training across states and territories, provides opportunities for Community Colleges and it is important to recognise that this is not the only or sometimes even the main offering by memebers. Additionally, a 10-year foundation skills strategy is in development, which promises to enhance accessibility through a 'no wrong door' approach—particularly in NSW where an enhanced approach is already being piloted.
The conference also saw discussions around the role of VET in shaping inclusive pathways for marginalised communities, especially for First Nations people, through place-based, locally led initiatives. This agenda was supported by a national study on digital skills and LLN, with plans for Australia's participation in the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (IAAC) Round 2.
Partnerships, resilience, and adaptation in the workforce were key themes throughout. As Barney Glover, Commissioner of Jobs and Skills Australia, presented, Australia faces critical workforce challenges in early childhood education, care sectors, and food supply chains. With an aging workforce, the gender imbalance in key industries, and the looming demand for clean energy jobs, the pathway ahead requires innovative solutions in strategic workforce planning, training and skills development.
The upcoming VET National Data Asset (VNDA), launching on November 12, 2024, will offer invaluable insights into the outcomes of top VET qualifications from 2018 and 2019, and their impact on equity groups across industries. In parallel, the Jobs and Skills Report, set to be released on November 18, 2024, will delve into the sector's progress and future challenges, including addressing Australia’s decarbonisation goals.
Workforce Diversity, Skills Gaps, and Pathways at the 2024 CCA Conference
The CCA Conference 2024 shone a spotlight on the challenges and opportunities in workforce development, with speakers like Rob Bonner from HumanAbility and Steven Hall from PSO emphasising the need for innovation in training and education. The Clean Energy Generation Report underscored Australia's ambition to become a clean energy superpower by 2050, highlighting the importance of workforce diversity and inclusion—particularly with only 2% of women represented in this rapidly growing sector.
Strong focus was placed on addressing the 'suitability gap'—where many qualified applicants exist but lack the necessary skills to meet employer demands—and the 'retention gap' that affects sectors like care, cookery, and hospitality. A shift is required in how Training Packages and products are designed rapidly, ensuring that both vocational and higher education (HE) pathways support lifelong learning and career mobility, particularly in addressing persistent occupation shortages that now span 33% of roles in 2024.
Natalie Turmine, CEO of Service and Creative Skills Australia, spoke on the vast opportunities in billion-dollar industries like tourism, events, and the visitor economy, encouraging innovative approaches to surge workforce planning for festivals and large-scale events. However, workforce shortages, especially in male-dominated sectors, highlight the need for gender diversity strategies. Furthermore, young Australians are increasingly turning to micro-credentials and skills-based qualifications, and Technical Colleges, like those in South Australia, are becoming an options for young people.
Wendy Perry posed the question: "How far out are we looking in terms of workforce planning?" As Australia races toward becoming a clean energy leader and decarbonising its economy, it is clear that workforce planning using strategic foresight must evolve with future job designs and upskilling needs for mature-aged workers and youth alike. Bridging the gap between VET and HE, and leveraging diverse and underutilised groups in the workforce, is not just a necessity but an opportunity for growth.
Common ground from the event focused on the importance of creating partnerships, fostering resilience, and adapting our systems to ensure inclusive access to secure, well-paid jobs—underpinned by robust foundation skills that will shape Australia’s workforce for the decades to come.
The following professional development programs have been tailored from feedback following my presentation relating to Personal Branding at the Community Colleges Australia Conference with a theme of Creative Resilience.
Within days of the presentation, I was published in 2 papers as you can see from the above links. One in regional South Australia and the other the Bhutanese national paper after an international invitation to attend the Bhutan Innovation Forum (BIF). If you want to build your personal brand and increase your influence, either in business, or education and training, check them out:
Start date: 19 November 2024 – 12 December 2024 (x4 weekly 1 hour live sessions from 11.00 am – 12.00 pm ACDT which are recorded, plus resources and videos).
If you attended the recent Community Colleges Australia Conference in Sydney, please apply code CCA.
Start date: 21 November 2024 – 13 December 2024 (x4 weekly 1 hour live sessions from 1.00 pm – 2.00 pm ACDT which are recorded, plus resources and videos).
If you are in the Switch Start Scale community and/or have been a client, please apply promo code SSS.
Reference List:
Towards a Regional, Rural and Remote Jobs and Skills Roadmap:
ATLAS Tool:
https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/news/atlas-has-launched-comprehensive-tool-labour-market-data
VNDA
https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/data/vet-national-data-asset-vnda
Foundation Skills Study – under away; OECD
https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/studies/foundation-skills-study
https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/studies/clean-energy-capacity-study
https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/publications/the-clean-energy-generation
https://poweringskills.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Workforce-Plan-Report_2024_Final.pdf
https://sacsa.org.au/workforce-planning-reports/
Blue Ocean vs Red Ocean Strategy
https://www.blueoceanstrategy.com/tools/red-ocean-vs-blue-ocean-strategy/
Fire to Flourish video - https://firetoflourish.monash/