From roundtables to forums, the SaCSA team has actively engaged with stakeholders across our sectors, attended key events and collaborated with industry leaders to drive meaningful change. Read our Monthly Roundup for a more detailed looking into engagement activities this month.
Government
ACCI Employment and Skills Committee
In early November, SaCSA CEO Natalie Turmine had the privilege of meeting with the Minister for Skills and Training, the Hon Andrew Giles alongside members of the Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ACCI) Employment and Skills Committee at Parliament House.
A heartfelt thank you to Minister Giles for sharing his vision and insights directly with us—it was a valuable opportunity to hear first-hand about the government’s direction in skills and training, giving attendees a clear perspective on policy priorities and emerging opportunities.
We would also like to acknowledge and extend our gratitude to Committee Chair Peter Daly and ACCI Director of Skills, Employment and Small Business, Dr. Jodie Trembath PhD, for their facilitation of this meeting. Their efforts ensure our industry’s voices are heard and bring us closer to shaping a responsive, future-focused workforce.
Here’s to continued collaboration and progress in driving the skills agenda forward!
The Australian Workers’ Union 2024 National Conference
Alex Knoop, SaCSA’s General Manager – Policy and Government Relations, attended The Australian Workers’ Union 2024 National Conference alongside our Jobs and Skills Council colleagues to highlight the importance of collaboration and a shared approach in addressing workforce development needs across various industries.
We were joined by:
Jacob Micallef and Cheryll Meade from Manufacturing Industry Skills Alliance (MISA)
Amanda Hamilton (GAICD) from BuildSkills Australia
David Hynes from Mining and Automotive Skills Alliance
Michelle Ingley-Smith from Skills Insight
Among a range of industry leaders, union delegates and policymakers who addressed key workforce issues, we were pleased to hear from SaCSA Board Member and Hospitality SWAG member Stacey Schinnerl as she presented in her capacity as AWU QLD Secretary.
Thank you to the event organisers, speakers and all attendees for contributing to these important conversations to create a future-ready workforce and enhanced industry resilience.
Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency’s 8th Annual Conference
Policy Officer Shane Kocass joined education and industry leaders at Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency‘s 8th Annual Conference in Melbourne this week for critical discussions on ‘Navigating Tomorrow: Anticipating Challenges, Embracing Change.’
Minister for Education Jason Clare MP‘s address highlighted six Bills before Parliament relating to skills and training reform, signalling significant changes ahead for our industries.
We look forward to working alongside our stakeholders as these developments unfold and will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.
2024 Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia Parliamentary Forum
SaCSA’s General Manager – Policy and Government Relations Alex Knoop and Insights & Analytics Manager Shaer Fattah attended the 2024 Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia Parliamentary Forum at Parliament House in Canberra last week.
The annual forum brought together independent RTOs and key policymakers to shape the future of skills training in Australia. Minister for Skills and Training, the Hon. Andrew Giles MP, delivered a compelling vision for the National Skills Agreement, emphasising its role as a foundation for collaborative improvement in skills training delivery across Australia.
Speakers included Business Council of Australia’s Stephen Walters, Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) Anna Faithfull, and Opposition representatives the Hon. Sussan Ley MP, Senator Sarah Henderson and the Hon. Dan Tehan MP. Together, they provided comprehensive insights into the future of our sector.
A special thank you to ITECA CEO Troy Williams and all contributing speakers for facilitating these important discussions that reinforce our shared commitment to enhancing skills training outcomes for Australians.
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Personal Services
2024 Australian Hair Fashion Awards
Our Stakeholder Engagement Manager (Personal Services), Kate Henderson, joined 900+ hair professionals at The Star Sydney for the 2024 Australian Hair Fashion Awards. The event brought together industry leaders for a night of creativity, innovation and industry leadership.
The success of the winners and finalists highlights the exciting opportunities and diverse career pathways in Hairdressing and the Personal Services sector at large.
Congratulations to:
Ashanti Kayias – 2024 Apprentice of the Year
Richi Grisillo – 2024 Australian Hairdresser of the Year
These exceptional individuals are leading the way and inspiring the next generation of professionals. We remain committed to creating career pathways, supporting quality training and advancing workforce development in the sector.
Apprenticeship Support Queensland Launch
Kate Henderson Stakeholder Engagement Manager (Personal Services) and Philip Caldicott Product and Production Lead attended the official launch of Apprenticeship Support Australia (ASA) in Queensland, marking a major milestone in strengthening apprenticeship opportunities across the state.
With nearly 100 industry leaders in attendance, the event facilitated important discussions on workforce development, innovative apprenticeship models and future industry partnerships. SaCSA is proud to support ASA’s mission to enhance Queensland’s apprenticeship ecosystem and looks forward to working alongside industry partners to create sustainable career pathways for the next generation of skilled workers in Australia.
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Retail
Retail Doctor Group CEO Community Breakfast
Nicole Venter, Stakeholder Engagement Manager (Retail), joined leading industry voices at the Retail Doctor Group CEO Community Breakfast to discuss insights from their 2024 “Consumer and Global Retailer Sentiment” whitepaper.
The event brought together a range of Retail stakeholders and experts including Brian Walker (Founder and Chair of Retail Doctor Group), Richard Thame (CEO Courier Please & Chair of the Franchise Council), and Tim Schaafsma (Chair of the National Retailers Association) to explore emerging market dynamics and future opportunities.
The 2024 “Consumer and Global Retailer Sentiment” whitepaper offers insights into the disconnect between consumer behaviour and retail strategies, providing actionable solutions to bridge these gaps. Drawing on global partnerships, this research delivers a comprehensive view of retail executive sentiment worldwide. The findings emphasise that in today’s rapidly evolving retail landscape, understanding emerging opportunities is just the beginning–success lies in developing targeted strategies and precise execution to maintain a competitive edge.
Australian Retailers Association (ARA) Employment Relations Breakfast.
SaCSA’s Policy Officer Shane Kocass and Research and Analysis Lead Teresa Chan attended the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) Employment Relations Breakfast.
The event focused on pressing industry challenges, including sexual harassment prevention, workforce wellbeing and gender equality. Stakeholders connected and shared insights on building more inclusive, safer workplaces while addressing the mounting pressures facing the Retail sector.
Of particular interest was the feedback from industry stakeholders on the ever-changing legislative landscape and ongoing evolution of workplace policies. Encouragingly, the panel expressed optimism for the Retail industry, anticipating the next 12 months will focus on stabilising the sector following years of instability.
Thank you to ARA and all speakers for facilitating these important discussions.
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Tourism
First Nations Visitor Economy Partnership
As the Jobs and Skills Council for the Tourism Industry, we’re proud to support the First Nations Visitor Economy Partnership, announced during Indigenous Business Month at the Australian Indigenous Tourism Conference.
The partnership, launched by Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator the Hon Don Farrell and Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator the Hon Malarndirri McCarthy, will empower Indigenous communities and enhance their role in Australia’s Tourism sector.
Stakeholder Engagement Manager (Hospitality) Chantelle Martin joined industry leaders at the conference hosted by Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Council to explore key developments in First Nations Tourism.
The gathering highlighted important initiatives while demonstrating the vital importance of First Nations leadership in shaping Australia’s Tourism future, fostering sustainable industry growth and creating meaningful employment pathways.
Thank you to the Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Council for hosting this event and to all participants for their valuable contributions.
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Hospitality
Luke’s Kitchen Meeting
SaCSA Stakeholder Engagement Manager (Hospitality) Chantelle Martin met with chef and restaurateur Luke Mangan at Luke’s Kitchen recently for meaningful discussions around workforce development in Hospitality.
Luke’s organisation showcases the strength of structured career pathways, with staff retention reaching 15-20 years and six apprentices currently progressing through development programmes. The ‘Appetite for Excellence’ initiative, alongside School-Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SBAT), demonstrates effective approaches to industry engagement.
Particularly valuable were insights into fostering sustainable career pathways and enhancing sector perception through genuine workplace experiences.
Working alongside industry leaders like Luke is important as we continue shaping tomorrow’s Hospitality sector—creating pathways that inspire and support the next generation of hospitality professionals.
NEON Forum
SaCSA’s Director of Insights and Planning, Laze Pejoski, joined over 125 local and international experts at the NEON Forum in Sydney. The 24-Hour Economy NSW Economy Commissioner Michael Rodrigues unveiled two transformational initiatives for NSW’s night-time economy:
Data After Dark: A new platform analysing trends and metrics in NSW’s night-time economy, providing crucial insights into social, economic and cultural patterns.
NEON Marketplace: A collaborative space connecting businesses, creatives, artists and districts to drive growth in the 24-hour economy.
Across two days, industry leaders discussed pressing challenges, including women’s safety in nightlife spaces, strategies for diversifying entertainment options and opportunities for regulatory reform.
SaCSA engaged in discussions with the Commissioner’s Office Data After Dark team and Create NSW. These conversations will support SaCSA’s workforce development strategy across the Arts, Tourism and Hospitality sectors.
Explore Data After Dark Insights here
Join the NEON Marketplace to connect with businesses, creatives and districts here
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Vocational Education and Training (VET)
Velg Training’s 17th National VET Conference Brisbane
SaCSA CEO Natalie Turmine joined the Jobs and Skills Council’s (JSC) Collaboration Panel alongside industry leaders:
Helen Tinney (Mining and Automotive Skills Alliance), Alison Wall (Future Skills Organisation), Vicki Gottardo (Powering Skills Organisation) and Rosalie Staggard (HumanAbility Ltd).
The annual conference brings VET stakeholders together from across Australia for professional development and networking opportunities. Speaking to RTO leaders, trainers, and VET sector experts, the panel explored:
JSC role and Functions: Understanding core operations and strategic priorities
Workforce Planning: Developing industry-led solutions
Stakeholder Engagement: Building stronger industry connections
Reform Initiatives: Navigating qualification reforms and demo projects
VET Capability: Supporting sector growth and development
RTO Opportunities: Creating pathways for collaboration
Quality training delivery and strong industry connections are fundamental to creating a competent workforce, helping industries flourish, and transforming lives through education. The panel provided practical insights into strengthening these connections and highlighted new opportunities for RTOs.
Thank you to Velg Training for hosting and to all speakers for their expert contributions.
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