Australia’s tertiary education system faces challenges in connecting university and vocational pathways, leaving gaps in workforce readiness and skills alignment. Leading skills bodies and the Universities Accord highlight fragmentation, unclear pathways, and the need for stronger alignment between academic programs and workforce needs.  
 

Keynote:
The Hon Dr Tony Buti MLA, WA Attorney General; Minister for Commerce; Tertiary and International Education; Multicultural Interests

Amy Stanley, Chief People Officer, HBF Health Limited

Panelists:
Michelle Hoad, Director and Chief Executive Officer of North Metropolitan

Professor Braden Hill, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Education and Student Experience), Edith Cowan University
Professor Guy Littlefair, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Western Australia

Amy Stanley, Chief People Officer, HBF Health Limited

Chandra Sundareswaran, Director, Centre for Learning Enterprise and Partnership Engagement, Curtin University

Event themes:

• Developing strong vocational education streams and innovative learning models to meet skills demands

• Transforming courses as technology evolves. Are AI and automation reshaping jobs quicker than higher education is prepared for?

• Matching skills demands of industry, from the care sector to finance and clean energy. Overcoming vocational readiness challenges, and coordinating with industry to ensure graduates are more job-ready

• Strategic harmonisation of the tertiary sector for dual alignment between universities and vocational education, with better flows & interaction between university and TAFE streams

• Where policy can improve collaboration across the tertiary sector and with industry

• Improving the pathways to higher qualifications for skilled VET graduates

• Meeting the needs of cohorts from disadvantaged secondary school markets

• Generating job-ready graduates with skills of the future that transcend good grades

• Are the right skills being taught to young people, and how are soft skills addressed? 

Also being held: 
Unlocking Higher Education Pathways VIC, 11 June 2026