Media Release: Tackling Today’s Skills Crisis: A National Skills Week Panel Event at SSE

Ultimo, NSW – 22 August 2024 – Tomorrow, the Sydney School of Entrepreneurship (SSE) will host a pivotal panel discussion from 10am to 12pm as part of National Skills Week 2024. The discussion, titled “Tackling Today’s Skills Crisis(?) to Build Australia’s Future,” will bring together leading figures in vocational education, government, and industry to address the critical issues surrounding Australia’s skills shortages and the essential role of Vocational Education and Training (VET) in shaping the nation’s future.

Dr. Sarah Jones, CEO of SSE, will open the event with an address that frames the discussion within the broader context of Australia’s economic and societal challenges. “Australia’s economy is at a critical juncture,” she will say. “We are facing the twin interrelated challenges of stalled productivity growth and the net zero energy transition, both of which demand a major transformation of our industrial structure. At the same time, we are grappling with an unprecedented skills shortage across key sectors such as healthcare, construction, technology, and renewable energy. These are industries that are not only essential to our national growth but also to our ability to compete globally.”

Dr. Jones will highlight the urgency of addressing these skills gaps, emphasising that they are not merely an economic concern but a social one as well. “Skills shortages lead to slower economic growth, decreased productivity, and diminished innovation,” she will explain. “But they also exacerbate inequalities, particularly in regional areas where access to education and employment opportunities can be limited. Addressing these gaps is about more than just filling jobs; it’s about securing a prosperous future for all Australians, regardless of where they live or what background they come from.”

The keynote address will be delivered by Professor Barney Glover AO, Commissioner of Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA), who will provide insights into the current and future landscape of Australia’s workforce needs. Following his address, a panel of esteemed experts will discuss how VET can be leveraged to bridge the skills divide and drive economic growth, innovation, and social inclusion.

The panel members include:

• Stephen Brady, Managing Director of TAFE NSW, who will share his insights on the transformative power of VET in aligning training with industry demands and fostering public sector innovation.
• The Hon. Gabrielle Upton, Former Government Minister and Non-executive Director, who will discuss the role of VET in equipping individuals with the practical skills needed to drive innovation and economic growth.
• Suzie Matthews, Executive Director of Skills & Pathways, NSW Department of Education, who will focus on the importance of integrating VET into the school curriculum to prepare students for the workforce and lifelong learning.

Dr. Jones will set the stage for the panel discussion by posing key questions: “How can we shift public perception to view VET as a first-choice option that is integral to Australia’s future? What role should industry play in ensuring that VET programs are aligned with workforce needs? What needs to happen to activate the results of the Universities Accord and the National Skills Agreement to create a more cohesive and effective education system?”

She will conclude her address with a call to action, emphasising the need for immediate steps to equip Australia’s workforce to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future. “These are complex and pressing questions, but they are ones we must tackle if we are to ensure that Australia remains a prosperous and competitive nation in the years to come,” she will assert. “I am confident that the insights shared today will not only spark important conversations but also inspire concrete actions that will help bridge the skills divide and secure a brighter future for all Australians.”

The event will be held at SSE’s Parquetry Hall in the historic TAFE NSW Building J at 651-731 Harris Street, Ultimo, NSW. The panel discussion will be followed by a casual networking lunch, providing attendees with an opportunity to continue the conversation and explore potential collaborations.

Date: Friday, 23 August 2024
Arrival: 9.45 AM for a 10 AM start
Panel: 10 AM – 12 PM, including a networking lunch
Venue: SSE (Parquetry Hall), TAFE NSW Building J, 651-731 Harris Street, Ultimo, NSW 2007

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Nicole Swanson, Chief Marketing Officer
Sydney School of Entrepreneurship
Email: nicole.swanson@sse.edu.au

Mobile: +61 437 214 633

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About SSE: Founded in 2016, the Sydney School of Entrepreneurship (SSE) is Australia's first and only Government-initiated school of entrepreneurship. SSE exists to inspire change, deliver impact, and create a diverse community of next-generation entrepreneurs, city-shapers, place-makers, innovators, and prosperity builders in Australia.

About Dr Sarah Jones: Dr Sarah Jones (MAICD) FRSN leads a high-performing team to inspire change, deliver impact, and realise SSE’s vision. She has a PhD from the University of Sydney and over 20 years' combined leadership, research, teaching, and strategic operational experiences in higher education and large matrix organisations. In 2023, Sarah was named Innovation Leader of the Year at the InnovationAus Awards for Excellence.

About Professor Barney Glover: Professor Barney Glover, AO, began his five-year term as Commissioner of Jobs and Skills Australia on 15 April 2024. Professor Glover is a distinguished academic leader, an accomplished mathematician and mathematics educator with significant experience in developing strong relationships with the vocational education sector. He is well respected for his engagement with First Nations Australians and disadvantaged communities.

About Stephen Brady: Stephen Brady joined TAFE NSW as Managing Director in December 2021. Steve has more than 20 years of experience in executive leadership in private and public sectors, including across a diverse range of NSW government agencies. The hallmarks of his senior executive career include driving public sector innovation through a focus on customer and community, working with industry to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes, enhancing the economic contribution of agencies and delivering strong financial stewardship.

About The Hon. Gabrielle Upton: Gabrielle Upton is a Strategic Advisor and former NSW Government Minister and UNSW Deputy Chancellor. From 2011 to 2023, Gabrielle served in senior NSW Government roles including as the first female NSW Attorney General, Minister for the Environment, Local Government and Heritage, Minister for Family and Community Services and Minister for Sport and Recreation.

About Suzie Matthews: Suzie Matthews is the Executive Director of Skills and Pathways at the NSW Department of Education. With a distinguished career spanning over 15 years in senior leadership roles, Suzie has made significant contributions across various sectors including workforce attraction and retention, vocational education, industry development, and small business support. Her expertise also extends to economic and community development, honed through her extensive experience in local government.