2025 has been a big year for skills and training in Australia. It has brought elections, major reviews and inquiries, new policies and programs, a continuation of major system reform, an Economic Reform Roundtable where skills was in focus, and more.

Through our research and advocacy, Australian Industry Group Centre for Education and Training has been closely involved in many of these major activities. Our focus across all of them is working with and for industry to create an education and training system that delivers the human capital Australia needs to reach its potential.

With so much to reflect on and plenty in store for 2026, this conversation with the Centre's leaders will explore topics including:

• What are the key takeaways from the Centre's research and advocacy in 2025?
• What emerged from the recent Economic Reform Roundtable in relation to skills and training and what else might we expect – from someone who was in the room? (This session will be joined by Australian Industry Group Chief Executive, Innes Willox)
• What is 2026 likely to bring and what will the Centre be focused on?

Presenters:

Innes Willox, Chief Executive, Australian Industry Group

Brett Hall, General Manager – Policy, Research & Projects, Australian Industry Group Centre for Education and Training.

Host:

Dr Caroline Smith, Executive Director, Australian Industry Group Centre For Education and Training