The upcoming VET Development Centre symposium, ‘Solutions to the Critical Thinking Crisis’, will address one of the sector’s most urgent challenges – rebuilding judgment, curiosity and trust in an AI‑shaped learning environment.

Whether you’re an educator, instructional designer, policy professional or industry leader, you’ll leave with practical insights on designing learning that leverages AI while keeping human thinking at the centre in an era of automation and constant change.

Speakers:

  • Scott Millar, CEO of BOP Industries, will discuss how to engage the next generation of learners, with an emphasis on Gen Z and Gen Alpha.
  • Andrew Douch, from Evolve Education will showcase real examples what happens when we stop doing the heavy lifting of thinking ourselves and AI thinks for us.
  • Lisa Bale, Director of the Future Skills Organisation, will share the importance of professional judgement as a core future workforce capability and plans.
  • Bernie Slater, from the Canberra Institute of Technology will discuss creativity, critical thinking, and AI fluency.
  • Tyler Payne, a neurodivergent TAFE educator from RMIT, will discuss how neurodiversity‑affirming approaches foster sustainable and inclusive futures in Australia’s VET sector.
  • Tori Cooke, from the Pandora Project will address transformative learning, reflecting on disorienting dilemmas.
  • Kamilla Chylinski and Liz Blanchet, both Senior Learning Designers from RMIT, will present a case study from a VAHS partnership with the RMIT College of Vocational Education, showing how assessments for critical thinking were co-designed with community and SMEs for an Indigenous cohort.
  • Leon Furze, author and leading expert in AI, will also join our exclusive VET Chat about thinking, learning, and professional judgement in an AI-enabled world.

For in‑person participants

  • Networking lunch.
  • Direct access to presenters, sector experts, and peers.
  • Informal, high‑value conversations beyond the sessions.

For Online participants- exclusive benefits

  • A Morning Tea Conversation Café exploring AI, critical thinking, and what high‑quality judgement now looks like in VET teaching practice.
  • Practical classroom hacks shared live, designed specifically for online attendees.
  • Real‑time Q&A designed for online participation.

Join in person in Melbourne or online – explore the full agenda and register now