The Community Colleges Australia (CCA) Annual Conference returns to Sydney for an in-person event on 13 & 14 September 2022, promising an inventive and invigorating two days of expert presenters, challenging panel discussions, and stimulating adult and community education (ACE) specialists.
This is the “must attend” event of 2022 for Australia’s ACE sector and those who work closely with ACE providers to provide essential training and skills.
Our theme is Rebuilding Community, and we will feature a great and diverse line-up of speakers, panel discussions and break-out workshops. The 2022 Conference unfolds at the CBD Marriott Hotel, adjacent to Sydney’s bustling Circular Quay ferry terminals.
Training and Skills
- National VET regulator ASQA update from CEO Saxon Rice, and workshop led by Carmen Basilicata, Executive Director, Quality Assessment & Compliance.
- Digital skills and digital literacy, with Patrick Kidd OBE OAM, CEO of Digital Skills Organisation.
- Aged care workforce training, considering the outstanding capacity of ACE providers to make a difference, with Jodi Schmidt, CEO of the Human Services Skills Organisation (HSSO); Susan Scowcroft, CEO, Community Services & Health ITAB; and others.
- NSW Training update from David Collins, Executive Director, Training Services NSW.
- New Commonwealth employment services model by Dr Simone Casey, ACOSS Senior Employment Advisor.
- Challenges facing young people in education and employment, including innovative responses by the ACE sector, with Helen Zwicker, Kiama & Shoalhaven Community Colleges, and others.
- Mature Australian VET markets analysis with national VET expert Dr Don Zoellner.
- Provider self-assurance and micro-credentials workshops run by Kevin Ekendahl, Matthew Dale and Katrina Higham from Audit Express.
- Employability and student readiness skills workshop with social research consultant Dr Jim Cloutman.
Leadership
- Crisis leadership, with former Royal Australian Navy Officer Hugh Simpson, who will speak of his experiences leading a team of more than 200 staff in Kyiv during the current Ukraine war.
- Crisis leadership in ACE panel discussion with NSW Northern Rivers colleges impacted by early 2022 catastrophic flooding, including Kerry Johnson, ACE Colleges, Lismore and Murwillumbah; and Richard Vinycomb, Byron Community College.
- Governance and leadership workshop for Chairs and Board Directors of ACE organisations.
Supporting Place-Based Learning - Building our Facilities
- Ventilation and clean air, by Professor Lidia Morawska, a Time magazine “100 Most Influential People in the World in 2021” and consultant to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
- How to transform training facilities as we move towards a “post-COVID” era, with PwC Australia’s Adam Graham and Michael Gibson, based on their report Delivering the Campus of the Future.
Political Engagement
We have invited NSW and Commonwealth skills and training ministers and shadow ministers, who will articulate their skills policies as they apply to the ACE sector: The Hon Alister Henskens SC MP, NSW Minister for Skills and Training & for Science, Innovation and Technology; Tim Crakanthorp MP, NSW Shadow Minister for Skills and TAFE, & Shadow Minister for Tertiary Education (confirmed), in conversation with CCA CEO, Dr Don Perlgut; The Hon Brendan O’Connor MP, Commonwealth Minister for Skills and Training; and The Hon Sussan Ley MP, Deputy Leader of the Opposition & Shadow Minister for Industry, Skills and Training.
We are also planning reception at NSW Parliament House in the afternoon of 14 September – your opportunity to meet many of the NSW Members of Parliament in the historic building.
Our Conference Chair
Welcome Chemène Sinson – former Olympic athlete, national-level sports coach and adult educator (with a specialty in TAE) – who will provide dynamic, integrated and thoughtful facilitation to Conference proceedings.
Do you wish to present? If so, please let us know by 30 June. We have a few places left; read more here.
Special Events
Community Education Trainer of the Year Award will take place at the conference dinner on 13 September. The Community Education Trainer of the Year Award celebrates the work and underlines the importance of Australian ACE trainers and teachers. Award nominations close on 29 July 2022: see the Award page.
Harbour cruise: The pre-conference social event highlight will be a sunset cruise on Sydney Harbour on Monday 12 September.
Supporters and Sponsors
This year, our popular services and products exhibition includes Gold Supporters Coverforce and Australian Government USI; Silver Supporters Training Resource Solutions, VET Development Centre (VDC), Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and Training, TotalVET Training Resources and eSkilled; Welcome Drinks sponsor Audit Express; and Bronze sponsor Everyday Learning.
Please be quick if you wish to sponsor or support the 2022 Conference as only a few opportunities remain.
How to Register
“Early Bird” conference tickets are now available (offer ends 8 July 2022):
- CCA Member Early Bird Special – Full Conference $800.00 (normally $875.00) +GST
- Non-Member Early Bird Special – Full Conference $930.00 (normally $985.00) +GST
COVID-19 Safety
CCA is committed to make the Conference as safe as possible for all participants, including up-to-date ventilation and air filtration, encouragement of mask wearing – providing masks for those who wish to use them, and provision for late conference cancellation of registrations if you contract COVID-19 prior to commencement.
Questions: Contact us via email.
