Home / VET National Teaching & Learning Conference 2026 / Speaker

Alongside an inspiring keynote line‑up, the Conference featured expert presentations, concurrent workshops, a research stream, and a panel interview - designed for today’s VET environment, focused on healthy, inclusive and sustainable workplaces. Read on to discover more about our speakers and the topics that shaped the 2026 Conference program.

KEYNOTE PRESENTATIONS

Culture that InspiresNoddy Sharma
Popcorn Brain in Today’s World: Attention, Anxiety & Agency in the Age of Social Media & AIDr Lila Landowski
A Flourishing WorkplaceMel Neil
Found in Space: Lifting Indigenous Horizons Through Aerospace Education (The Value of Co-designed, Flexible Career Pathways)Daniel Joinbee

PRESENTATIONS

Vic Teacher/Trainer of the Year 2025 | Australian Runner up | Teaching with Heart & Intention: Flipped, Trauma Aware & Future Focused VET PracticeTarmi A’Vard
Thriving Teachers, Stronger Outcomes in High Performing VET SystemsClaire Field
What if We’ve Measured TAFE Success All Wrong?Alex White
From School to Skills: How VET Can Adapt to Changing Learner Expectations Without Adding More Teacher BurdenJames Holder & Erin Wright
Thriving Teachers in a Digital World: How Organisations Can Empower Educators Through Structured Capability UpliftMatt Peachey
Empowered Educators, Future-Ready Learners: Building Portable Skills for a Changing World of Work Andrew Shea
Critical Thinking for All: Designing Environments Where Thinking Thrives Michele Tocci
Turning Trauma Awareness into Educator Superpowers: An Interactive Learning Adventure Samuel Tan

RESEARCH STREAM

Supporting VET Teacher Capability & Learner Psychosocial NeedsDr Tabatha Griffin
Aspire Mentoring ProgramMark Mossuto & Lisa Harris
Everyday Wellbeing for Educators: Building Safety, Emotional Sustainability, & Support Pathways for Teachers in Vocational EducationMelanie Reynolds
Creating Cultures That Care: Building Supportive & Trauma-Informed VET WorkplacesJoseph Osimobi
In the Classroom: Supporting Learners who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing Joe Sabolcec & Raquel Fasano
Developing Peer Support Leaders in VETRichard Snook

CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS

Think Listen Talk ThriveKay Schlesinger
Strategies to Improve Engagement (& Your Workload)Dr Deniese Cox
Building Safe, Inclusive & Gender-Equitable ClassroomsPaul Hrasko

PANEL INTERVIEW

Positive Outcomes in Practice: A Conversation with the SkillaroosWorldSkills Australia

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