Join your TAFE colleagues, industry partners, government representatives, and other members of the skills and tertiary education environment in May next year at TDA Convention 2026.
Building on the success of the last two TDA Conventions in 2024 and 2022, TDA Convention 2026 is themed Power of TAFE. You will have the opportunity to engage with colleagues and to hear from Ministers, leaders, influencers, international speakers, industry peak bodies and employers, other parts of tertiary education leadership, educators and students.
The policy agenda for TAFE has never been more stable and never more innovative. This allows for deep dives into the ground-breaking work of TAFE Centres of Excellence, the impact of actions that have developed though the National Skills Agreement, and latest developments in the establishment of the Australian Tertiary Education Commission.
But to begin with, we’ll have some fun. Steph Tisdell, proud Ydinji woman and actor, comedian and writer will be our MC for the TDA Convention 2026 celebratory dinner, which is the opening session of TDA Convention 2026 (Tuesday). What an uplifting and fun filled way to start!
The following two days (Wednesday and Thursday) will be dynamic and full of engaging sessions that showcase innovation, stimulate new thinking, allow for networking, and demonstrate Power of TAFE.
A great deal has happened since we last gathered for a TDA Convention. Save the date and plan to join us in Brisbane from 5 to 7 May next year for TDA Convention 2026.
As a long-standing and trusted partner to the sector, ReadyTech is 
proud to continue its support of this flagship event and reaffirm its role as the technology partner of choice for modern TAFEs focused on delivering exceptional student experiences, enabling operational excellence, and embracing innovation.
With deep expertise in vocational education and a purpose-built student management platform tailored to the needs of TAFE, ReadyTech continues to work side by side with the sector to co-create the future of student success.
The South Australian government is set to commence negotiations on a bold plan to fast-track a number of apprenticeships and traineeships by reducing the time needed to complete by as much as half.
The Industry Accelerated Apprenticeship Pilot (IAAP) is due to commence in 2026 and will be trialled across 1,000 apprenticeships in seven key disciplines.
The seven high-demand trades are carpentry, cookery, painting, civil construction, plant operations, mechanical engineering, and fabrication engineering.
The pilot would see the Certificate III in Carpentry, reduced from 48 to 36 months. The Certificate III in Commercial Cookery would go from 48 to 30 months. The Certificate III in Civil Construction, and Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations would both go from 36 to 18 months.
Training will be tailored to real-world job requirements, with intensive on-the-job learning and quality assurance from Group Training Organisations (GTOs).
The South Australian Skills Commission, which is overseeing the trial, has established a design and implementation committee which will engage with industry, unions, employers, and training providers.
South Australian Skills Commissioner Cameron Baker said the pilot will put “the right people in the right jobs faster”, without compromising on quality or safety.
“The pilot will operate within South Australia’s flexible apprenticeship system, giving apprentices access to all existing supports and incentives,” he said.
“It targets trades with known skills shortages, where apprentices have historically completed early; proving that faster can still mean better.”
Join us to explore how TAFEs are partnering with industry, Jobs and Skills Councils (JSCs) and other TAFEs to lead innovation in Clean Energy initiatives relating to automotive and batteries. Learn more about the importance of collaborative partnerships in preparing the future workforce to support current and emerging automotive needs and power a clean energy future.
You will also hear about the innovative work being undertaken by Canberra Institute of Technology Electric Vehicle Centre of Excellence, Bendigo Kangan TAFE, and TAFE Queensland Centre of Excellence Clean Energy Batteries, along with AUSMASA (JSC) and Foton Mobility Distribution, Australian distributor of new energy heavy vehicles.
Mitchel Smith is one of a growing number of mature people taking on and completing an apprenticeship, thanks to his employer and CQUniversity TAFE. He says it’s never too late to give it a go, especially with the recent release of a new Queensland government initiative.
The Queensland government recently announced the Free Construction Apprenticeships for Over 25s – expanding the popular Free Apprenticeships program to encourage more people over the age of 25 to get skilled and pursue a career in construction.
Under the initiative, a number of construction apprenticeships will be available fee-free to eligible applicants – including the Certificate III in Carpentry, which is the qualification Mitchel is completing with Rockhampton company, Lindsay McMaster Constructions.
Image: Mitchel Smith (left) and his employer Lindsay McMaster.
Join us to learn more about the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and how TAFEs are applying the framework to improve inclusive learning and teaching practice.
Featuring Australian Disability Clearing House on Education and Training (ADCET), this session will provide an overview of UDL 3.0, along with practical examples of its integration into practice at TAFE NSW, TAFE SA and CIT.
Bev Williams OAM, a long-time automotive placement coordinator at Kangan Institute’s Automotive Centre of Excellence, was recognised as a finalist for the 2025 National Collision Repairer Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by Prime Creative Media.
The national accolade recognises individuals who have made a lasting contribution to the Australian collision repair industry – an honour that further cements Bev’s outstanding reputation in vocational education and her dedication to student success.
Bev’s work has helped launch the careers of more than 1,000 automotive students, connecting them with meaningful work placements and apprenticeships. Her nomination adds to a long list of recognitions, including her recent Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the 2023 King’s Birthday Honours List, and a gold-level Lifetime Achievement Award at the World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics (WFCP) Awards of Excellence, held in Jamaica earlier this year.
‘My role is about connecting students with employers – when that happens, it’s incredible rewarding,” Bev said.
“I’ve been lucky to work with amazing, professional teachers who care deeply about creating inclusive and fun learning environments.”
“It’s a privilege to work alongside them and to help young people who may not have always enjoyed school realise their potential. Education gives them confidence and open better choices.”
The TAFE Centre of Excellence Clean Energy Batteries, led by TAFE Queensland, is collaborating with industry on advanced clean energy battery training pathways.
The Centre is investigating training options and encourages industry to participate in the Higher-Level Pathways Priority Survey.
To have your say, click here and provide your input by 5pm, Friday 16 May 2025.
The Centre is also calling for expressions of interest from VET training providers, universities, unions, employers, and industry partners to join its Innovative Training Practices Working Group.
Members will play a crucial role in designing and developing new training that addresses the latest advancements and industry needs in clean energy batteries.
Click here to submit your application by 5pm, Friday 16 May 2025.
Applications for the 2025 Global Footprints Scholarships are now open, with $9,000 per scholarship available for overseas travel and work experience in agriculture, horticulture and trades.
There will be a Zoom information session for organisations to enable them to help talented young people to put together a winning application.
The session is open to anyone who wants to apply or is keen to support applicants.
Information session details
Tuesday 13 May 2025
1PM – 2PM (Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney time)
Powering Skills Organisation
Online in May for proposed entry qualifications – Certificate II Gateway and Certificate II Pathway.
Register: click the ‘Consultation’ tab on the project web page.
Skills Insight
VET workforce attraction and retention in regional communities weekly brainstorming
16 May – Opportunities for industry support
23 May – Complexity of the VET system
30 May – The trainer and assessor role
Register
TAFETalks: Power of TAFE to prepare a future-ready nursing workforce
Wednesday 7 May 2025, 2.00-3.00PM AEST
Click here to register
9th Research Conference of the International Network for Innovative Apprenticeship (INAP)
8-9 May 2025
University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, England
More information
TAFETalks: Clean energy futures powered by TAFE
Wednesday 4 June 2025, 2.00-3.00pm AEST
Register here
National Apprentice Employment Network 2025 National Conference
11-13 June 2025
Sofitel, Brisbane
More information
WorldSkills Australia National Championships and Skills Showcase
12-14 June 2025
Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre
More information
TAFETalks: Powering inclusive TAFE Teaching with UDL guidelines
18 June 2025
Register here
Apprentice Employment Network NSW & ACT
2025 Skills Conference
24 June 2025
Amora Hotel, Sydney
More information
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Symposium 2025
Navigating Authentic Assessment and Learning in a Digital World
25-26 June 2025
University of Sydney
More information
Scholarship of Learning and Teaching (SoLT) 2025
3 July 2025
South Bank, Queensland
More information
34th National Vocational Education and Training (VET) Research Conference ‘No Frills’
9-11 July 2025. Registrations are now open.
Gold Coast
More information
Victorian TAFE Association TAFECreates25 Conference
7 August 2025
Melbourne Polytechnic Conference Centre, Melbourne
More information
VET National Teaching & Learning Conference
14-15 August 2025
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
More information
National Skills Week
‘Explore All the Options’
25-31 August 2025
More information
Impact ATEM 2025
Association for Tertiary Education Management annual conference
7-10 September 2025
Australian National University, Canberra.
More information
Velg Training National VET Conference
30-31 October 2025
Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre
More information
TDA Convention 2026
SAVE the DATE
5-7 May 2026
Brisbane
48th WorldSkills International Competition Shanghai
22-27 September 2026
More information
2026 WFCP World Congress
23-28 November 2026
Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, Kenya
Save the date
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