The Skills Exchange

In Episode 17 of the Skills Exchange, we hear from Ella Saddington, a 2022 George Alexander Foundation Fellow. Ella shares her experience travelling through the UK and Europe to research traditional armour-making techniques, exploring the history, craftsmanship, and material intelligence behind centuries-old practices. She reflects on how the fellowship has shaped her artistic practice since retur...

In Episode 16 of the Skills Exchange, we hear from Raphael Karanikos, a 2024 Italian Australian Foundation Fellow. Raphael shares his experience travelling to Italy to study the traditional art of Roman mosaics, exploring the history, techniques, and craftsmanship behind the practice. He reflects on the impact of the fellowship since returning to Australia, the growing interest in mosaic art, and...

In Episode 15 of the Skills Exchange, we hear from Shae McGregor, a 2023 International VET Practitioner Fellow. Shae shares insights from her fellowship exploring how Australia can better support student progression and completion in education and training. Drawing on global approaches to inclusive learning, she reflects on strategies that help learners from underrepresented groups succeed, includ...

In Episode 14 of the Skills Exchange, we hear from Alida Milani, a 2024 Italian Australian Foundation Fellow. Alida shares insights from her fellowship exploring how Australia can learn from Italy’s world-leading textile and fashion craftsmanship to preserve and grow specialised skills. Drawing on her travels through Italy, she reflects on how historic artisanal practices are evolving alongside in...

In Episode 13 of the Skills Exchange, we hear from Jane Hickey, a 2021 International VET Practitioner Fellow. Jane shares insights from her fellowship on how the education system can better support students with disability as they transition into employment, where outcomes still lag behind their non-disabled peers. She explores successful global programs, to identify key ideas that could shape a n...

In Episode 12 of the Skills Exchange, we hear from Emilia Iacovino, a 2021 Italian Australian Foundation Fellow. Through her work in passive housing, we explore sustainability, climate change, and the role of smart design in building a greener future. We also unpack the importance of upskilling and empowering young people with the skills needed for a changing world.

In Episode 11 of The Skills Exchange, Daphne shares insights from her Mason Family Trust Fellowship, where she traveled through Europe exploring rag paper making, textile recycling, and paper archives. Daphne reflects on sustainability, overproduction, and what we can choose to make from what we throw away.

As we launch season 2 of the Skills Exchange Podcast, we are joined by 2022 Innovation in Criminal Justice Fellow, Lukas Carey. In our tenth episode we discuss the growing crisis of juvenile incarceration in Australia, and unpack Lukas' dissemination that took place while in the United States.

Welcome to episode 9 of The Skills Exchange! Today we’re joined by 2023 International VET Practitioner Fellow, Paul Goudie. Paul’s cybersecurity expertise drives his mission to enhance Australia’s digital defences through innovative education. In this episode, we explore Paul’s vision of making Australia the most cyber secure nation by 2030.

Welcome to episode 8 of The Skills Exchange! Today we're joined with 2021 George Alexander Foundation Fellow, Shane Orion Wiechnik. Shane's year long Fellowship journey explored furniture repair traditions across the world using the medieval journeyman approach, with the goal of revitalising these crafts in Australia and fostering a culture of repair. Listen on as Shane shares his discover...

In episode 7 of The Skills Exchange, we speak to Mindfulness Coach and International VET Practitioner Fellow, Tammy Casselson about her Fellowship developing mindfulness-based wellbeing programs. Tammy's work equips staff, educators, and students in VET and DUAL sectors with resilience skills that enhance performance and mental health.

Welcome to episode 6 of The Skills Exchange! Today, we speak to International VET Practitioner Fellow Bill Mundy, whose ground breaking research explores how Australia can develop the skilled workforce needed to power our wind energy sector. Bill’s Fellowship examined training programs across the USA, UK, and EU, and brings valuable insights on how Australia can overcome workforce challenges to ac...

In this episode, we delve into 2022 Sir James Gobbo Legacy Italian Australian Foundation Fellow Catherine Cervasio’s ground breaking Fellowship, which explores the untapped potential of olive pomace — the by product of olive oil production. While typically treated as waste, pomace is rich in antioxidants and bioactive compounds with promising antimicrobial, anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory proper...

Welcome to episode 4 of The Skills Exchange! Today we're speaking with 2023 George Alexander Foundation Fellow Jessie French. Jessie's Fellowship focused on the developing sustainable materials industry, specialising in biopolymers that are made from renewable ingredients and can be recycled as part of a closed-loop system. Tune in as Jessie speaks about envisioning a petrochemical free future.

Welcome to episode 3 of The Skills Exchange! Today we're speaking with Kim Seagram AM, a culinary innovator and Chair of FermenTasmania which was co-founded by 2015 ISS Institute AgriFood Skills Fellow, Tom Lewis. Tune in as we learn about the state of the art Fermentation Hub, what it means for Tasmania's food and beverage industry, and how co-founder Tom Lewis' ISS Institute Fellowsh...

Welcome to episode 2 of The Skills Exchange! In this episode, we sit down with Jan Davis, whose 2017 International VET Practitioner Fellowship on the UK-supported internship model has reshaped employment opportunities for young people with disabilities in Victoria. Jan's work has paved the way for successful programs at major institutions, creating meaningful career pathways and transforming lives...

Welcome to the first episode of The Skills Exchange! Today, we're diving into the inspiring journey of 2022 George Alexander Foundation Fellow Vincent Meyrick, a rising star in Melbourne's fashion scene. Vincent's story is one of passion, craftsmanship, and global connections. As a designer, tailor, and knitwear technician, Vincent embarked on a transformative Fellowship that took him to Sato Seni...