VDC News
Conference Edition
Edition 14 - 2026 | 26th August 2026
Reflections on the VDC’s 2026 VET National Teaching & Learning Conference…
What a joy it was to welcome so many VDC News readers and attendees at this year’s sold out National Teaching and Learning Conference – focussing in our 21st year on “Healthy Workplaces. Thriving Teachers. Positive Outcomes.”
So many conference delegates have commented on how much they learned from their peers (leading educators in the sector) this year and therefore our conference summary is coming to you in three related parts this year.
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VET educators and leaders share…
There were also a range of stimulating and thought provoking sessions during the two days of the conference presented by VET sector educators, experts and leaders. And bringing the whole conference together was the formidable Chemène Sinson, whose experience, warmth, knowledge and humour connected the sessions across both days.
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Delving into practitioner-relevant…
As it is every year, the VDC’s national conference was about more than the main-stage presentations. Its dedicated research stream and concurrent workshops gave delegates the opportunity to examine emerging evidence, learn from provider initiatives and take practical ideas back to their classrooms and organisations.
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August Edition
Edition 13 - 2026 | 12th August 2026
Record VET in Schools participation…
The latest data released by the NCVER shows the continued growth in VET in Schools in 2025 – with 276,860 students undertaking VET as part of their schooling, an increase of 4.1% from 2024. Many students did not limit themselves to just one VET course as part of their schooling: with 412,840 program enrolments in 2025 (up 4.8% on 2024) there was an average of 1.5 enrolments per student.
Completions were also up 6.4% on 2024 meaning that collectively student numbers, enrolments and completions were all at their highest levels since the national collection began in 2006. It represents a significant achievement at a time when governments are seeking to strengthen vocational pathways through secondary education.
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Using AI to develop more responsive VET…
A recent report from the OECD, Developing Vocational Education and Training with Artificial Intelligence, examines a different aspect of AI in VET from the increasingly common topics of student use, assessment integrity and/or AI-supported teaching. Its focus instead is how AI can help governments, industry bodies and VET providers develop and update occupational standards, qualifications and curricula.
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Call for abstracts for ACDEVEG…
The Call for Abstracts (attached) for the annual conference of the Australian Council of Deans of Education Vocational Education Group (ACDEVEG) is now available. The conference, on VET teaching and VET teacher–education, is in Ballarat at the SMB TAFE campus on 3rd and 4th December 2026. Abstracts, due on 4th September, may be for research–based presentations or practitioner workshops.
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European research: VET leads to good…
A recent survey by the European Commission reveals broadly positive public attitudes towards vocational education and training across Europe.
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On tomorrow – and it’s a sell-out!…
After months of anticipation, registrations have officially closed and the VET National Teaching & Learning Conference 2026 is now a sell-out. Tomorrow, more than ever, the excitement across the vocational education and training sector is palpable as delegates from around Australia prepare to gather at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre for the 21st VET National Teaching & Learning Conference.
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