2022 CCA Annual Conference: Rebuilding Community
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.
Our theme is Rebuilding Community, following what two and a half years of the COVID-19 pandemic, and its impacts on Australian post-secondary education, training and communities. We will deal with both big and small questions: What’s next in ACE, post-secondary education, training and skills? How do we “build back better”? What’s to be learned from overseas? What long-term impacts will the pandemic have on how we learn, how we teach and how we construct our communities? How do we address current challenges? What structures and approaches need to be changed and which ones kept?
Our speakers: View the latest speaker update here.
Special events: Our pre-conference social event highlight will be a sunset cruise on Sydney Harbour on Monday 12 September. Our annual sponsor exhibition returns with a terrific mix of ideas, products and services.
Community Education Trainer of the Year Award: The conference dinner on 13 September will be the venue for the Awards ceremony of CCA’s first-ever Community Education Trainer of the Year Award, which celebrates the work and underlines the importance of Australian ACE trainers and teachers. Award nominations are now open, and close on 29 July 2022. Go to the Award page for more information.
Location and venue: The 2022 Conference unfolds at the Marriott Hotel on Pitt Street, adjacent to Sydney’s bustling Circular Quay ferry terminals, only a few minutes’ walk to the historic Rocks District, the iconic Sydney Opera House and the Museum of Contemporary Art. Within a short pleasant walk you will also find the best a revitalised Sydney CBD offers: the best shopping in New South Wales, glorious Botanic Gardens in early spring splendour, dynamic new Barangaroo waterside redevelopments, Art Gallery of NSW, re-modelled Australian Museum, the State Library, iconic Sydney Theatre Company at the Wharf and world-famous restaurants.
Supporters, sponsors and services: CCA invites proposals to participate in our popular services and products exhibition, which “sells out” the available space every time. Please be quick if you wish to sponsor or support the 2022 Conference as only a few opportunities remain.
COVID-19 safety protocols: CCA is committed to make the Conference as safe as possible for all participants, and will carefully align to and exceed national, state and local health requirements. Our COVID safety plan will include:
- Up-to-date ventilation in all conference rooms
- HEPA filters in all conference rooms
- Encouragement of mask wearing by participants (and provision of masks for those who wish to use them)
- Provision for late conference cancellation of registrations if you contract COVID-19 prior to commencement and are unable to attend or transfer your registration (subject to conditions)
CCA will release specific COVID safety guidelines and recommendations closer to the event.
Contact us: Contact CCA via email if you have any questions.
WHO IS THIS CONFERENCE FOR?
Not-for-profit adult and community education (ACE) organisations
- CEOs and other senior managers
- VET managers and senior trainers
- Boards of Directors and senior volunteers
- Marketing and Promotions managers
- Coordinators, planners, project managers, liaison officers and outreach specialists
Government, researchers and other organisations
- Policy-makers working in post-secondary and secondary education roles for Commonwealth, state or territory governments who seek a deeper understanding of the ACE sector’s challenges, opportunities and possibilities
- Researchers in education and training who are keen to share their findings with one of the most engaged conference audiences in Australia
- Consultants working in ACE, VET, universities, life-long learning, the future of work and the demand for skills in the next decade of the 21st century
- Thinkers, thought-leaders, journalists and others engaging with the breaking trends of Australian post-secondary education and training
- Teachers, trainers and educators seeking a strong dose of intellectual stimulation and the cutting edge of community education practices
- Not-for-profit organisations that work with ACE providers and support our learners and communities
- International guests looking to understand of Australian post-secondary education and training, and who wish to engage with Australian experts and practitioners
- Regional economic development and local government personnel working on the intersection between education, training, industry policy and economic development
CONFERENCE STRANDS
The 2022 Conference will examine how to make Australian ACE and vocational education (VET) stronger, more focussed and attentive to learner needs, We will look at how to expand possibilities in education, training and other services to small businesses and to learners from lower socio-economic backgrounds, people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, young people, regional and rural residents, migrants, refugees and those with limited English language skills, and people who face mental health challenges.
Foundation skills – language, literacy, numeracy, employability and digital skills
We will focus on foundation skills – language, literacy, numeracy, employability and digital skills – in light of the national Foundation Skills Framework, discussions held CCA’s 2021 and 2022 National ACE Summits, and recognition of new trends in digital transformation and remote learning. The Australian ACE sector plays a fundamental role in opening up life and work possibilities for people from all walks of life. The conference will be a great opportunity to explore and share new and developing ideas and approaches in communicating, teaching and learning for practitioners, leaders and policy makers.
Aged care, disability care and childcare workforce training
Given the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aged Care, planned CCA workforce training proposals, major increased training of aged care workers and CCA’s 2021 National ACE Summit, sessions will focus on how to train and support the care workforce. ACE providers ” punch above their weight” to deliver care training; the 2022 Conference will concentrate on building this capacity, focussing on innovation and sharing of insights from industry researchers and service providers, trainer recruitment and mentoring, with practical strategies that add depth and breadth to the aged care, disability and childcare workforce.
Community development
While place-based learning constitutes the core business of Australian ACE providers, their activities extend well beyond the classroom. The ACE sector provides numerous opportunities for engagement in community life, learning and work, and supports the maintenance of Australian civil society and democracy, civic participation and building “social capital”. These functions are especially important in regional, rural and outer metropolitan locations where local educational institutions are part of the “glue” that holds communities together. The Conference will examine how the ACE sector – and Australian VET more broadly – can increase its participation in and collaboration with new ventures such as social enterprises, education precincts, entrepreneurship and social impact studies.
Leadership and governance
The Conference aims to expand ACE organisations’ skills in strategic planning, developing new business models, leading high-performance teams, coaching and mentoring, strategic finance, fundraising and funding diversification, responding to adversity, managing risk and change management. New skills will assist ACE organisations to face unprecedented levels of uncertainty resulting from COVID-19 and natural disasters, including meeting government contracts, highly fatigued staff and trainer shortages. We also need new strategies to engage disadvantaged students, who have been the first to leave training in times of stress and the last to return, and who are often unable or unwilling to transfer to online and remote learning.
WHAT PARTICIPANTS SAID ABOUT OUR LAST IN-PERSON CONFERENCE
“All sessions were interesting and engaging.”
“This year was my first time at the CCA conference and I was impressed and surprised by the variety in workshops and exhibitors.”
“Thanks, team CCA – one of my favourite CCA conferences, if not my favourite.”
“Overall, I was exhausted by the end of the conference from the packed agenda and relevance of the content. There was nothing I wanted to miss. It was great!”
“Rich topics, engaging speakers, great venue.”
“Thank you so much for all of your hard work, great conference!”
“It was a great conference all round- thanks. So well organised! A great combination of serious, interesting, fun, inspirational and useful.”
“Conference very beneficial and a good learning environment.”
“Thank you for your dedication and effort in putting together an interesting and relevant program.”
“Excellent mix of main sessions and workshops.”
“Nice balance of governance, stats, policy, HR, practicality and inspiration.”
“Well-structured and delivered.”
PREVIOUS CCA CONFERENCES
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THE MARRIOTT HOTEL
The Marriott Hotel is located in the bustling heart of the Sydney CBD, within short walking distance to Circular Quay and many of the harbour city’s attractions.
The CCA Conference will take place on Level 2, where attendees can transition easily between conference events and break-out areas.
GETTING TO THE CONFERENCE: TRANSPORT OPTIONS
Location
The Sydney Marriott Hotel is located at 30 Pitt St, Sydney NSW 2000.
Driving
Parking is available onsite at the Hotel (subject to availability) at a rate of $59 per day. Wilson Parking has locations nearby at:
37 Pitt Street
Gateway Car Park
20 Bond Street
Grosvenor Place
Public Transport
The hotel is within easy walking distance to bus, train and ferry connections. Bus: The nearest bus station is at Circular Quay. Alight in Loftus St and walk through Reiby Pl to Pitt St. Train and Ferry: Alight at Circular Quay and walk down Pitt St just past Reiby Pl. The hotel is on the left-hand side.
SPEAKERS
Executive Director, Quality Assessment and Compliance, Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA)
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Managing Director, TAFE NSW
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Senior Advisor – Employment, ACOSS
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Senior Research Fellow, Youth Opportunity Team, Social Policy and Research Centre, Brotherhood of St Laurence
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Director, Future of Work, PwC Australia
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Social Researcher and Employability Specialist
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Executive Director, Training Services NSW
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NSW Shadow Minister for Skills and TAFE, and Shadow Minister for Tertiary Education
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Co-Founder & Client Success Officer, Audit Express
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Co-Founder and CEO, Audit Express
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Integrated Infrastructure Director, PwC Australia
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Integrated Infrastructure Director, PwC Australia
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Consultant & Honorary Senior Fellow, Centre for Vocational and Educational Policy, Melbourne Graduate School of Education
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Chief Operating Officer, Audit Express
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Manager, The Reading Writing Hotline
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CEO, ACE Colleges & CCA Board Treasurer
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CEO, Digital Skills Organisation
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Centre for International Research on Education Systems, Victoria University & Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and Training (ADCET)
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Chair and Founder, Spark Strategy
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Professional Development and Learning Facilitator, Q Blue Solutions
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(Voluntary) Board Director of Strategy & Wellbeing MNCCC Ltd; Honorary Research Associate at the Centre for Disability Studies, Sydney University Medical Faculty
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CEO, Youth Off The Streets
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College Principal, Youth Off The Streets
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Manager, Service Development & Practice, National Youth Employment Body, Brotherhood of St Laurence
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Manager, Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and Training (ADCET)
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President, Australian Council for Adult Literacy
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Director, Social Equity Works
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CEO & Founder, Hello Coach
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Distinguished Professor, QLD University of Technology
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Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council
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CEO, Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA)
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CEO, Victorian Skills Authority
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CEO, Human Services Skills Organisation (HSSO)
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CEO, Community Services & Health ITAB
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First Assistant Secretary, Apprenticeships and Foundation Skills, Australian Government Department of Employment and Workforce Relations (DEWR)
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Group CIO at the Atlantic Group, CEO at LQD Technology, and Founder and Advisor at Oggin
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Learning Specialist & Conference Chair, Blackwater Projects
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Program Manager (Indonesia), Australian Volunteers Program
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CEO, Byron Community College
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University Fellow, Charles Darwin University
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INVITED
- The Hon Alister Henskens MP SC, NSW Minister for Skills and Training & Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology
- The Hon Brendan O’Connor MP, Commonwealth Minister for Skills and Training
- The Hon Sussan Ley MP, Deputy Leader of the Opposition & Shadow Minister for Industry, Skills and Training
OTHER SPEAKERS
Other speakers will be confirmed soon.
Please contact us if you would like to offer a presentation or participate in a panel discussion.
PROGRAM
The Draft Conference Program (v1) is now available to download and view (PDF), and will be updated closer to the Conference.
We are pleased to highlight following sessions, presented by more than 40 speakers.
Training and Skills
- National VET regulator ASQA update from CEO Saxon Rice, and a workshop on ASQA performance assessment, monitoring and registration renewal, with Sean Heffernan, A/g Executive Director, Market Performance and Engagement.
- Digital skills and digital literacy, with Patrick Kidd OBE OAM, CEO of Digital Skills Organisation (DSO).
- Update on activities and opportunities with TAFE NSW, with Stephen Brady, Managing Director, TAFE NSW
- How Victoria has approached skills planning – along with reflections on current national training issues, by Craig Robertson, CEO, Victorian Skills Authority, one of Australia’s most experienced VET leaders.
- 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 Professor Gabrielle Meagher, Macquarie University expert on aged care workforce and markets.
- NSW Training update from David Collins, Executive Director, Training Services NSW.
- Update on Commonwealth skills policy development, including foundation skills and outcomes from the early September Jobs and Skills Summit, with Clare Sharp, First Assistant Secretary, Apprenticeships and Foundation Skills, Australian Government Department of Employment and Workforce Relations (DEWR)
- New Commonwealth employment services model by Dr Simone Casey, ACOSS Senior Employment Advisor.
- What’s new in foundation skills, with Vanessa Iles (The Reading Writing Hotline), Jo Medlin (ACAL) and a research summary from Robin Miles (Social Equity Works).
- Challenges facing young people in education and employment, with presentations from Lex Nadine Lutherborrow (CEO) and John Martin (College Principal), Youth Off The Streets; and Kira Clarke and Elle McLachlan (Brotherhood of St Laurence), 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.
- How RTOs deliver and measure deliver quality: What it means for community education providers, with VET researcher Hugh Guthrie
- Inclusive principles aim to improve the attraction, engagement, retention and success of students with disability in VET, with Lizzie Knight, Centre for International Research on Education Systems, Victoria University & Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and Training (ADCET)
- Supporting students with disability in VET workshop, with Darlene McLennan, Manager of Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and Training (ADCET)
- Provider self-assurance and micro-credentials workshops run by Kevin Ekendahl, Matthew Dale and Katrina Higham from Audit Express.
- “Maximising Inclusive Practices in Hybrid Delivery” workshop, with experienced ACE consultant and workshop facilitator Debbie Littlehales, supported by Indah Susanti.
- “Making Space for a Community of Belonging in COVID & Climate Crisis Times” workshop, with Dr Robbie Lloyd, Board Director of Strategy & Wellbeing at Mid North Coast Community College; and Honorary Research Associate at the Centre for Disability Studies, Sydney University Faculty of Medicine.
- 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.
- George Liacos, Chair and Founder of Spark Strategy, will apply his 25 years of experience in the community sector, and discuss current trends community-facing organisations are experiencing and the innovative and strategic changes that they face.
- Sonia Clarke, Director at PwC Australia, will highlight key aspects of the PwC Future of Work series, with particular reference to The New Equation in hybrid working: how organisations can strike the right balance of time in the office and working remotely.
- Workshop for new ACE provider CEOs on how to lead a new organisation, conducted by professional executive coach.
- Governance and leadership workshop for Chairs and Board Directors of ACE organisations.
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
Commonwealth and NSW skills and training ministers and shadow ministers: We have confirmed a video message from the Hon Brendan O’Connor MP, Commonwealth Minister for Skills and Training; and an interview with Tim Crakanthorp MP, NSW Shadow Minister for Skills and TAFE & Shadow Minister for Tertiary Education, in conversation with CCA CEO, Dr Don Perlgut. We await confirmation from the Hon Alister Henskens SC MP, NSW Minister for Skills and Training & for Science, Innovation and Technology; and the Hon Sussan Ley MP, Deputy Leader of the Opposition & Shadow Minister for Industry, Skills and Training.
Welcome to Country
Uncle Allan Murray, Metropolitan Aboriginal Land Council, will provide the “Welcome to Country” to Gadigal Land.
Our Conference Chair
Welcome to Chemène Sinson – former Olympic athlete, national-level sports coach and adult educator (with a speciality in TAE) – who will provide dynamic, integrated and thoughtful facilitation to Conference proceedings.
Our speakers: View speaker biographies here.
Special Events
Pre-conference social event highlight will be a sunset cruise on Sydney Harbour on Monday 12 September. The annual sponsor exhibition returns with a terrific mix of ideas, products and services.
Community Education Trainer of the Year Award: The conference dinner on 13 September will be the venue for the Awards ceremony of CCA’s first-ever Community Education Trainer of the Year Award, which celebrates the work and underlines the importance of Australian ACE trainers and teachers. Award nominations are now open, and close on 29 July 2022. Go to the Award page for more information.
REGISTRATION
Registration is now open for the 2022 CCA Annual Conference. Please click the button below to register.
Full Conference Registration – CCA Member $875.00 +GST, Non-member $985.00 +GST
Full Conference registration includes:
– entry to all conference sessions on 13 and 14 September 2022
– lunch and refreshments on both days of the conference
– attendance at Welcome Drinks on the Harbour on evening of 12 September 2022
– attendance at the Gala Dinner on evening of 13 September 2022
– attendance at the Parliamentary event on afternoon of 14 September 2022
– access and use of the dedicated event app Whova
-conference delegate bag
One Day Conference Registration – CCA Member $485.00 +GST, Non-Member $565.00 +GST
One Day Conference registration includes:
– entry to all conference sessions on Tuesday13 OR Wednesday 14 September 2022
– lunch and refreshments on day of attendance
– access and use of the dedicated event app Whova
– conference delegate bag
It does not include attendance at Welcome Drinks on the Harbour, Gala Dinner. or Parliamentary event.
Welcome Drinks Harbour Cruise – CCA Member $80.00 +GST, Non-Member $100.00 +GST
Entry to the harbour cruise event on Sydney Harbour on the evening of Monday 12 September 2022. Includes drinks and canapes.
Gala Dinner CCA Member $155.00 +GST, Non-Member $175.00 +GST
Entry to the Gala Dinner on the evening of Tuesday 13 September 2022. Includes a 3-course meal and drinks at the Marriott Hotel. The presentation of the Trainer of the Year Awards will take place at this event.
Booking Fees apply
CONFERENCE SUPPORTERS
Gold Supporters
Silver Supporters
Welcome Drinks Sponsor
Bronze Sponsors
Print Sponsor
The Community Colleges Australia (CCA) Annual Conference is the premier event for Australia’s adult and community education (ACE) providers. Our program of inspirational speakers, education and training experts, facilitated workshops and networking provides an unparalleled business opportunity for sponsors and supporters to reach Australia’s dynamic ACE providers through an interactive exhibition and social events.
Our supporters form a vital part of our conference, and are welcomed by attendees as colleagues and partners. The smaller, more intimate setting of a CCA conference invites in depth discussions and deeper relationships between delegate and supporter. In fact, many of our returning supporters are greeted as old friends.
As a supporter, you will receive acknowledgement prior to, during and after the conference through conference materials, the conference app, CCA’s website and email announcements.
You will enjoy significant and extended contact with delegates during the conference and social events – at every morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea-time.
Attendance at the Welcome Drinks and Gala Dinner is encouraged, where you can mingle with delegates in a more relaxed setting.
SUPPORTER LEVELS
CCA is pleased to offer support options at three levels: Gold, Silver and Bronze, with special one-off opportunities for supporting the Conference Opening/ Welcome Drinks, and CCA 2022 Gala Dinner.
We can specifically tailor supporter packages to suit your needs. Please download our Supporter Opportunities Brochure or contact CCA to discuss supporter options.
VISIT SYDNEY
There is much to do in Sydney during your visit. This page highlights some of the known and less well-known opportunities.
Bondi to Manly Walk
The Bondi to Manly Walk is an epic coastal and harbour-side walking track between Australia’s two most famous surf beaches, Bondi Beach and Manly Beach. For its entire length, the Walk is on public land, with the vast majority of its 80km on existing well-made and well-maintained bush walking tracks. The Conference venue at Circular Quay is located pretty much in the centre of the Walk and easily accessible to all parts of it by public transport.
Launched in December 2019, the Walk is supported by all six local councils, the Metropolitan and La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Councils, eight state agencies and the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust. You can download Walk maps, read detailed itineraries, and make the walk as long or as short as you wish. Add an extra day or two to your Conference visit, and take the opportunity to explore the world’s possibly finest urban waterside walk, all in bracing Sydney COVID-safe open air.
The Journey Back to Connection – Coaching Pioneer Victoria Mills to Speak at CCA Conference Dinner
Australian coaching pioneer Victoria Mills, CEO and Founder of Hello Coach, will provide an inspirational talk to delegates at the upcoming CCA Conference Dinner on 13 September. Victoria Mills (pictured) will speak about “The Journey Back to Connection” in a talk that recognises the disruptions and the psychological, professional, business and emotional strains we have experienced since the commencement of Continue Reading
Skills Minister Brendan O’Connor outlines priorities
The Commonwealth Minister for Skills and Training, the Hon Brendan O’Connor MP (pictured) – who will provide a video message to CCA’s September Conference – has outlined his national skills priorities in the lead-up to National Jobs and Skills Summit. Training investment: “We should be investing in the skills of our own workforce to ensure we’ve got a growing economy Continue Reading
DSO Plans to Achieve 1.2 million Australian Tech Workers by 2030
The Digital Skills Organisation (DSO) has released a report prepared with Tech Council of Australia (TCA) and Accenture which explains what it will take to meet the Australian Government’s goal to reach 1.2 million tech workers by 2030. The report, entitled Getting to 1.2 million: Our roadmap to create a thriving Australian tech workforce, follows a DSO-TCA partnership and the Digital Continue Reading
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