Vocational Voices

Steve Davis interviews presenters from the 34th National VET Research Conference 'No Frills', held on 9 - 11 July 2025 on the Gold Coast. In part two of this two-part series, we shift the focus to the human element, highlighting specific voices and providing targeted support for diverse learners. The presenters focus on amplifying the voices and perspectives of First Nations peoples in VET, while...

Steve Davis interviews a group of presenters from the 34th National VET Research Conference 'No Frills', held on 9 - 11 July 2025 on the Gold Coast. In part one of this two part series, the discussion focuses on the structural and methodological aspects of creating inclusive VET systems, the 'how' of designing and delivering inclusive education. Presenters explore inclusive approaches to VET desig...

Steve Davis interviews a diverse group of presenters from the 33rd National VET Research Conference ‘No Frills,’ held on 10-12 July 2024 in Perth. With a spotlight on how VET partnerships are driving a dynamic workforce, these seven engaging experts share their insights on a wide range of topics. From exploring VET in Ukraine and envisioning the future of VET in Australia to enhancing inclusivity...

Australia is on the journey to reducing carbon emissions, so what does this mean for the automotive industry?   Various sources indicate that electric vehicle and hybrid vehicle uptake is increasing in Australia, so this episode explores how the VET sector is preparing to meet the evolving demands of the automotive industry amongst critical skills shortages.    Podcast host Steve Davis speaks to S...

Steve Davis, Simon Walker, Joanne Payne, Tabatha Griffin, Tom Karmel, Jenny Dodd, Hinemoa Priest, Melanie Kyle, Erica Smith, Olivija Komadina, David Longley, Christina Scott-Young, Michael Bassham, Joy de Leo, Michael Healy, Michelle Circelli, Angela Damm, Charmaine Marshall, Jeff Lynch, Tina Berghella, 29 November 2023 (85 mins) In 2023, we invited expert vocational voices from the VET sector to...

In this episode, we discuss the vital role of partnerships in the VET sector. These partnerships help connect training with the skills that industries need. Simultaneously, they build the capacity and resilience of both providers and employers.  Our focus centres on four key elements that are fundamental to successful partnerships. We take a close look at these factors in a case study featuring Th...

The concept of “meaningful work” is something that’s been regularly discussed by vocational education and training (VET) researchers for many years. But what does it mean and what are the pathways for achieving that end? Join NCVER's Dr Joy de Leo and Dr Michael Healy from myfuture as they explore the current labour market, the top occupations in demand in Australia, the implications of sound care...

In the past few years, the VET sector has faced rapid socioeconomic, demographic and technological change. When unforeseen events such as COVID-19 emerged, the sector quickly adapted by upskilling workplaces, training organisations and VET trainers in digital and remote work methods. Tune in to our podcast and listen to VET experts share their insights and research. They will also delve into conve...

Is the time right for change and "to be bold and think big, and challenge the way we think about tertiary education" in Australia? In this episode, we explore potential reforms to universities, their missions, and structures, while considering the role of VET. One perspective suggests establishing two types of universities: one focused on practical, hands-on learning for professional skills, and t...

Making sure the VET sector serves regional, rural and remote Australia remains an ongoing policy priority. In this episode, we talk about the challenges that RTOs face when delivering training in regional Australia. What are the barriers and how are they being addressed? We also consider whether local training providers should be given more flexibility to tailor their programs to meet the specific...

In 2022, we invited expert vocational voices from the VET sector to share their views, stories, experiences and insights on a range of hot topics. ‘Best of 2022’ is a roundup of the most interesting snippets and research findings from across the four podcast episodes we released during the year. Full of short and sharp insights from each of our guest speakers, we cover off some of the best bits of...

Aside from the health and economic impacts, the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected Australia’s VET sector. The full scale of these effects, however, has just started to emerge. In what ways did the first waves of the pandemic affect the VET workforce – including trainers, resource developers and administrative staff? What changes and innovations happened? More importan...

Join host Steve Davis for some handpicked highlights from three panel discussions at the 31st National VET Research Conference ‘No Frills’ held in July 2022. The conference theme was VET's role in transforming the future. Topics covered in the lively discussion include why business leaders are turning to education and training for the solutions; the future skill needs of service-based industries;...

Both vocational education and training (VET) and higher education (HE) offer the skills, knowledge and qualifications needed to equip students to progress their career and lifelong learning.  But given the difficulty and huge costs associated in integrating VET and HE, how do we harness the best of both sectors and maximise their benefits to students, employers and industry? Megan Lilly, Executive...

Participation in higher education by school leavers has increased significantly in the last decade. VET participation has lagged by comparison. Are students headed for university accorded higher status at school than those who prefer to pursue a trade apprenticeship or traineeship? While the general outcomes for students who participate in VET in Schools is good, choosing the right VET course or V...

Steve Davis, Simon Walker, Linda Simon, Martin Powell, Kira Clarke, Joanne Waugh, Bryan Palmer, Professor John Buchanan, Megan Lilly, Dr Kaye Bowman, Michael Hartman, Dr Martha Kinsman, Professor Stephen Billett 9 December 2021 (45 mins) In 2021, we invited expert vocational voices from the VET sector to share their views, stories, experiences and insights on a range of hot topics. ‘Best of 2021’...

Steve Davis interviews a collection of presenters from three panel discussions at the 30th National VET Research Conference 'No Frills', held on 7-9 July 2021. Topics covered in the lively discussion include future-focused education and training delivered with, and in, industry; the 'futures' of work; understanding employers' training choices; and what is a VET system fit for the future? Speakers...

Short-course training, often referred to as 'micro-credentials', is seen as an increasingly important form of training, particularly as governments respond to the social and economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Steve Davis talks to Bryan Palmer, Private Consultant and author of An analysis of micro-credentials in VET, and Simon Walker, Managing Director, NCVER about the different interpretat...

Youth unemployment post-COVID is an all-hands-on-deck challenge. For young people who have lost work or have been looking for work, post-COVID recovery is going to be a fraught time if Australia doesn't take a well-structured pathway to recovery.  Join Steve Davis as he talks to Kira Clarke, Senior Research Fellow at the Brotherhood of St Laurence, Jo Waugh, Senior Research Officer, NCVER and Simo...

Should we be concerned about the quality of VET teaching? Recent research suggests there are key issues affecting the quality of VET teaching that need to be addressed. These include entry level requirements, limited career pathways, workforce casualisation, and lack of support for professional development. Steve Davis talks to NCVER Managing Director, Simon Walker, Educationalist and Researcher,...

In 2020, we invited expert vocational voices from the VET sector to share their views, stories, experiences and insights on a range of hot topics. ‘Best of 2020’ is a roundup of interesting snippets and research findings from across the eight podcast episodes we released during the year. Full of short and sharp insights from each of our guest speakers, we cover off some of the best bits of Seasons...

Are there too many underutilised qualifications in the Australian VET system? Are some qualifications past their expiration date?    One method of reducing qualifications involves grouping them into vocational clusters so individuals can train for several jobs at once. This approach also creates greater transferability of skills in the labour market.    Do we have the appetite for such transformat...

Young people are finding it harder and harder to get a foothold into those highly-skilled, better paying jobs that will set them up for the future. How can we increase the number of jobs available, and provide better pathways into jobs and industries that have been increasingly out of reach? Join Steve Davis as he talks to Simon Walker, NCVER Managing Director; Dr Peter Hurley, Education Policy Fe...

Do we value tertiary and vocational education equally? Have apprenticeships lost their sense of purpose? With recent budget announcements and the need to build a skilled workforce to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing economy, apprenticeships are in the spotlight. Steve Davis talks to NCVER Managing Director, Simon Walker and Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) National Coordinat...

Steve Davis interviews a collection of presenters from two panel discussions at the 29th National VET Research Conference 'No Frills', held on 7-10 July 2020. Topics covered in the lively discussion include new directions in skills planning, digital technology and the role it plays in aged and community care, insights from the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY), and the role of parent...