Gold Coast, Australia – July 28, 2025 – The National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) 'No Frills' conference remains an indispensable beacon for the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector, and CAQA (Compliance and Quality Assurance) was privileged to attend this pivotal event. Held on the Gold Coast, this year's conference, themed 'VET partnerships powering a dynamic workforce,' provided an invaluable platform for deep dives into the strategies and innovations shaping Australia's VET landscape. For CAQA, an organisation deeply committed to enhancing quality and compliance across the VET sector, our attendance at No Frills 2025 yielded significant insights and reinforced our resolve to contribute to a more robust and responsive national training ecosystem. We extend our immense gratitude to NCVER for the opportunity and for their exceptional organisation, with special thanks to Michelle Newman and Stuart Newman, and the entire NCVER team for their unwavering support. We are already looking forward to next year's conference.
NCVER: The Bedrock of VET Research and Insight
Before delving into the specifics of No Frills 2025, it's crucial to acknowledge the foundational role of the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER). As Australia's national professional body, NCVER is indispensable for collecting, managing, analysing, and communicating research and statistics on the VET sector. Their mission is to inform and influence policy and practice, supporting a skilled and capable Australian workforce and a strong economy. NCVER’s work is vital for:
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Data and Insights: Providing RTOs and policymakers with crucial data on student enrolments, course completion rates, employment outcomes, and industry skill requirements. This data is essential for identifying areas for improvement and making informed decisions.
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Research and Analysis: Undertaking a strategic program of education and training research, including the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY), and building links with international organisations for comparative analyses.
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Dissemination of Knowledge: Publishing research findings through various channels, including the comprehensive VOCEDplus research database, which provides access to over 80,000 Australian and international tertiary education publications.
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Advisory Role: Offering advice and support on quality assurance, curriculum development, and marketing to VET providers, helping them deliver high-quality training.
In essence, NCVER serves as the national evidence base for the VET sector, guiding policy, practice, and continuous improvement. Their annual 'No Frills' conference is a prime example of their commitment to fostering dialogue and disseminating critical research findings.
'No Frills' 2025: A Deep Dive into Partnerships and a Dynamic Workforce
The opening keynote by Commissioner Barney Glover AO and the pre-recorded address from the Hon Andrew Giles MP, Minister for Skills and Training, underscored a national push for strategic VET partnerships to address persistent skill shortages and ensure future workforce resilience.
From local TAFEs and Indigenous RTOs to international alliances, the sessions demonstrated the diverse ways in which partnerships are tackling complex educational and workforce challenges.
Empowering Equity and Indigenous Voice
Natalie Gardam's presentation on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student experiences underscored the importance of voice, cultural safety, and personalised learning in defining student success. Anissa Jones’ compelling critique highlighted systemic barriers and called for a sovereignty-centred VET framework that amplifies First Nations perspectives.
Miriam Forte and the BCITO (NZ) team shared impactful practices supporting women and Indigenous learners in trades, while Dr Zhou explored CALD student transitions, urging relational, culturally responsive career preparation.
Rethinking Learner Journeys and Engagement
Presentations from Hughes, Zhang and Griffin revealed that foundation skills programs significantly enhance completion and employment outcomes, especially when tailored to learner contexts. Nicky Leitch's Project Ready program illustrated how action-based, trauma-informed learning helps re-engage at-risk youth, proving critical for disengaged students across regional Victoria.
Technology, Digital Delivery, and AI
Innovative digital solutions were at the forefront of several sessions. From Wibrow's research on how students value RTO support transparency online, to the MyAMES chatbot using AI for adult migrant learners, and Griffin & Andrahannadi’s exploration of post-pandemic online delivery patterns—these insights signal the VET sector’s evolving embrace of tech-enabled, flexible training.
Workforce Capability and Institutional Change
Key discussions focused on dual professionalism, workforce development, and institutional logics. Kylie Taffard explored the intersecting identities of VET trainers as educators and industry practitioners, while Don Zoellner prompted a reimagining of VET’s societal value and status.
Future Skills and International Collaboration
From autonomous mining operations to the agriculture sectors in India and Australia, several sessions showcased how international and cross-sectoral collaboration is reshaping training for emerging industries. Donna Dejkovski, Caroline Winter, and a host of international partners shared how co-designed training packages improve authenticity and job-readiness.
Key Learnings and Insights from the Sessions
The range of presentations at No Frills 2025 was incredibly diverse, offering deep insights into various facets of VET partnerships and workforce development. For CAQA, each session provided valuable learning points that will inform our strategies and resource development for the coming year.
1. Policy-Driven Partnerships and Global Perspectives:
Bryan John Ang's presentation on 'Empowering a dynamic workforce: policy-driven partnerships between VET and industry in Singapore' offered a compelling international benchmark. Singapore's highly integrated approach, driven by clear policy, highlighted the potential for VET and industry to collaborate seamlessly. This resonated with CAQA's belief that robust policy frameworks are crucial for fostering effective partnerships, which in turn lead to a more agile and skilled workforce. Similarly, the 'Partnerships in VET teacher education in Ukraine: experiences from an ERASMUS+ project' by Thomas Deissinger and Oksana Melnyk underscored the universal importance of international collaboration in VET, even in challenging geopolitical contexts, to address skills needs and build capacity.
2. Industry-Led Innovation and Resource Development:
The session by Donna Dejkovski and Caroline Winter on 'Industry and TAFE collaborate: resource development for Autonomous Mining Operations' was particularly insightful. It showcased how direct industry-TAFE partnerships can lead to the co-creation of relevant and cutting-edge resources, specifically for emerging technologies. This directly aligns with CAQA's core business of developing audit-ready and industry-aligned training resources. We learned that the specificity and real-world applicability of resources developed through such collaborations are paramount for effective training outcomes.
Shaz Gerchow's dual presentations on 'Industry-led innovations in training and workforce development in health and community services' and 'Partnering with industry to translate research for small to medium enterprises (SMEs)' provided a strong case for consortia approaches and effective research translation. For CAQA, understanding how SMEs can leverage research and industry partnerships is vital, as they form the backbone of the Australian economy and often have unique training needs.
3. Enhancing Employability Skills and Work-Integrated Learning (WIL):
A recurring theme, echoing Commissioner Barney Glover's keynote, was the critical importance of "employability skills" and quality work-integrated learning (WIL). James Weston and Aleta Gilmartin's presentation on 'Empowering Information Technology students for employment success through online and flexible learning modes' highlighted how innovative delivery can still embed strong employability outcomes. This further affirmed CAQA's commitment to developing resources that not only cover technical competencies but also integrate scenarios and activities designed to build communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. The discussion reinforced Mr. Sukh Sandhu's firm stance, as frequently shared on VET Sector Magazine, that "all courses, whether in VET or Higher Education, should include a work placement component. If education’s purpose is to be employment-focused, it shouldn’t stop at theoretical accumulation or abstract qualifications."
4. Supporting Disadvantaged and Diverse Learners:
Several presentations focused on ensuring inclusivity and supporting disadvantaged learners. Miriam Forte's 'Employment pathways for remote Indigenous VET students' and Natalie Gardam's 'VET voices of success: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student experiences' provided invaluable perspectives on culturally appropriate employment support and the student journey. Anissa Jones's session on 'Adapting VET training for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students' offered practical strategies. These discussions are critical for CAQA, as we strive to develop resources that are adaptable and culturally sensitive to meet the diverse needs of all Australian learners. Lorraine Yabsley's insights on 'Skilling Queenslanders for Work' further emphasised the importance of targeted employment pathways for disadvantaged learners.
5. Innovation in Delivery and Technology (including AI):
The conference shed light on innovations in VET delivery. Tabatha Griffin and Upekha Andrahannadi's presentation 'Beyond the pandemic: the use of online delivery in VET' offered insights into optimising digital learning environments. Of particular interest to CAQA, given our focus on cutting-edge digital solutions, was Linh Le and Balendran Thavarajah’s 'Partnering in AI for multicultural adult education: AMES Australia and Getmee's MyAMES chat app.' This highlighted the transformative potential of AI in personalising learning and improving accessibility for diverse cohorts, a domain where CAQA is actively investing in AI-powered compliance and training tools.
6. Modernising Skills and Emerging Industries:
Presentations like Andrew Peters' 'VET emerging industries' and the collaborative study by Shweta Singh, Tamara Jackson, Sai Krishna Nanduri, and Prafulla Pandey on 'International collaboration to address critical skills needs and develop qualifications for a dynamic workforce: a study on the agriculture sector in India and Australia' focused on adapting VET to future skill demands. Lucia Stejer and the team's insights on 'Modernising priority skills courses' provided practical approaches to updating curricula. For CAQA, these sessions were crucial for anticipating future training package updates and ensuring our resources remain at the forefront of industry relevance.
7. Workforce Professionalism and Gender Equality:
Kylie Taffard's 'Who's teaching who: exploring dual professionalism in VET for the Construction and Infrastructure sectors' and Christopher Ward and Piper Rodd's research on 'Professional development costs: deterrence for VET practitioners in Western Australia' addressed vital issues related to the VET workforce itself. For CAQA, this reinforced the need to not only provide quality training resources but also support the professional development of VET practitioners. Furthermore, Brett Woods and team's 'No longer 'ducks on the pond': promoting women's inclusion and safety in construction trades training through gender transformative pedagogy' and Katie Yates Burgess's 'Innovative partnerships and evidence-based frameworks to build gender equality in VET institutions' were powerful reminders of the ongoing need to address gender equity and safety in traditionally male-dominated trades.
8. Rethinking VET's Status and Institutional Logics:
Don Zoellner's presentation 'Thinking differently about the status of VET: an institutional logics perspective' offered a high-level academic view on how VET is perceived and positioned within the broader education landscape. This theoretical underpinning is vital for advocating for the systemic changes needed to elevate VET's standing and ensure it receives the recognition and investment it deserves.
CAQA's Commitment Moving Forward
Our participation in NCVER's No Frills 2025 was incredibly enriching. The insights gained from ministerial addresses, expert research, and direct engagement with the VET community are invaluable. They reinforce CAQA's mission to empower Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), educators, policymakers, and industry stakeholders by providing access to the latest developments, best practices, and policy updates within the VET sector.
We gleaned that the future of VET lies firmly in strengthened, outcome-driven partnerships. The emphasis is clearly on:
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Integrated learning pathways that blend theoretical knowledge with extensive practical experience.
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Dynamic curriculum development that is responsive to emerging industry needs, including those driven by AI.
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Tailored support for diverse learner cohorts, ensuring inclusivity and equitable opportunities.
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Leveraging technology to enhance delivery, assessment, and compliance.
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Investing in the VET workforce's professional development to ensure high-quality teaching and assessment.
CAQA is already deeply committed to these areas, offering services ranging from RTO consultancy and resource writing to validation, moderation, and cutting-edge digital solutions. Our commitment to providing over 75,000 VET resources with lifetime updates ensures that our clients remain audit-ready and at the forefront of industry best practices.
The 'No Frills' conference reaffirmed that collaboration, innovation, and a learner-centric approach are not just buzzwords but the essential ingredients for powering a truly dynamic and resilient Australian workforce. We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have contributed to and learned from this vital gathering and eagerly anticipate continuing these crucial conversations at No Frills 2026. The future of VET is bright, but only if we collectively commit to these principles and translate research into actionable, impactful change.
