FSO State & Territory Forums
FSO’s State & Territory Forums aim to bring together industry, learners, training providers, unions and government to explore the training and skilling opportunities and challenges across Australia’s states and territories. In 2024, we visited South Australia, Western Australia, and Queensland. Looking ahead to 2025, we plan to engage with the remaining states and territories.
See the five key themes from across the forums and download the insights below.
Five key themes across all forums include:
Generalist vs. specialist skills: the need to distinguish between generalist (employability) skills and specialist (technical) skills. Generalist skills are crucial for adaptability and overall employability.
Responsive and relevant training: training needs to be more relevant, bite-sized, and skill-focused. This includes ensuring that training meets the needs of both current and emerging roles and is accessible to a wide range of learners.
Industry and employer involvement: the need for greater industry and employer involvement in vocational education and training (VET) pathways. This includes leading training initiatives, providing real-world experience, and supporting workplace training.
AI and emerging technologies: the adoption of AI and the challenges of keeping pace with emerging technologies are recurring themes. There is a need for clear guidelines and policies for AI use in education and training, as well as upskilling for VET teachers and trainers.
Collaboration and support: collaboration between various stakeholders, including industry, unions, and training providers, is highlighted as essential for effective skill development. This includes addressing the unique challenges faced by small and medium businesses.
