BIG Skills Conference 2-5 March 2009 Sydney Australia

The BIG Skills Conference is hosted by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, on behalf of the Australian Government.

This is the first major national conference on skills and training hosted at the Federal level in recent times, and it has the support of many organisations and individuals involved in tertiary training and education.  It is timely to reinvigorate our tertiary education system and identify how skills and training can help address the big challenges of productivity, participation and social inclusion.

The Conference will be forward looking and it will bring together major national and international players with an interest in skills and training to debate issues, think differently and stimulate change in the Australian tertiary sector.
The Conference aims to:

• Challenge conventional wisdom and get people to think differently about skills for the future in Australia and the wider Asia-Pacific region;
• Compare what works and what needs to be improved by sharing good national and international practice, and learning from experience and evaluation;
• Link national and international research and policy to help inform future decision making;
• Enable national and international networking to increase connections and collaborations on skills training; and
• Provide opportunities for professional development and learning.

The themes to be addressed include:

• New thinking about learning, skills and work
• Strengthening the tertiary sector
• Partnerships between industry/employers, providers, community and government
• Workforce development including skilling and re-training adults already in the workforce
• Training in green skills
• Workforce participation and social inclusion
• International engagement in vocational education and training
• Learning and development for training professionals and practitioners

The Conference will be attended by:

• People from industry and business – company executives, professional associates, members of industry skills councils and advisory boards, employers, unionists, human resource specialists;
• Tertiary sector professionals and practitioners - public and private training providers from vocational education and training institutions and universities; senior executives, managers, planners, human resource personnel from these institutions; teachers, trainers and lecturers;
• Leading researchers and consultants;
• People from governments (local, state, federal);
• Employment service providers;
• Community representatives - community leaders, students.

We encourage you to register for this important event.  The BIG Skills Conference is a unique opportunity to connect globally, think differently and celebrate education and training.

ACPET
Group Training Australia
Skills Australia
TDA
TVET Australia

Special thanks to all colleagues who assisted with the creation of the contents of this conference program.

The list of speakers can be obtained through the following documents PDF    (514.1 KB) RTF    (19.7 KB)

The Big Skills Conference consists of plenary and concurrent sessions with interactivity built in.  During sessions you have the opportunity to interact with speakers in the question and answer times as well as the panel discussions.  Each day will also include an out-of-the-ordinary plenary session covering major skills issues.

The interactive session on the Tuesday afternoon will be led by the audience and the questions you ask.  This will not be a session for presentations, but a unique opportunity for you to help come up with some ‘bright ideas’ to increase the number of skilled workers in Australia and the region.  You might see some future policy taking shape!

A highlight planned for Wednesday afternoon is a panel discussion in an interesting and different way, with a topic of critical importance.  In this special session, the panel will be discussing the importance of social inclusion, with a particular focus on engaging people with physical or intellectual disability in further education and work.

The afternoon of the final day is The BIG Skills Quiz Show.  While this will be a light-hearted and fun session, it will also be educational and help us to sum up the results of the past three days of the Conference.  Don’t miss this!

Our aim at this Conference is to give delegates the opportunity to not only learn, but to also actively participate as much or as little as they would like.  Come to this Conference to network, contribute your ideas, develop new skills and have fun!

Information on Registration details  can be found on the Registration page. This page includes the following topics:

• How to register
• Register online
• Registration fees
• Entitlements
• Method of payment
• Payment deadlines
• Cancellation of registration
• Disclaimer
• Exhibition
• Technical tours
• Welcome reception transport

The Conference Social Program will be a time for delegates to catch up with old friends and meet new ones in a relaxed atmosphere, away from the hustle and bustle of the scientific sessions. 

Magnificent venues, fine wines, delicious food and a relaxed atmosphere will ensure many nights of entertainment and memories to take home.

Information on the Conference Social Program can be found on the Social Programs page. This page includes the following topics:

• Welcome reception
• Optional breakfasts
• Conference festival food and wine
• Accompanying guests

General Information and Information for Visitors to Australia

Information for overseas visitors PDF    (1.4 MB) RTF    (561.2 KB)

Sydney – Conference City  

Sydney, Australia is the venue for the BIG Skills Conference 09 to be held from 2 to 5 March 2009.

Sydney is without doubt one of the most beautiful cities in the world with a reputation for friendly people, a cosmopolitan lifestyle, wonderful shopping and world-class entertainment. Our magnificent harbour, renowned Opera House and sunny beaches combine to make Sydney a unique destination and a city of sophistication and fascinating variety.

Information on the venue can be found on the Venue page. This page includes the following topics:

• Venue location and map
• Parking
• Car park opening hours
• Rates

Information on accommodation can be found on the Accommodation page. This page includes the following topics:

• Accommodation
• Deposits
• Deadline for accommodation bookings
• Cancellations
• Early arrival
• Late arrival
• Change of booking
• Group accommodation bookings
• Budget accommodation

ICMS Australasia Pty Ltd

GPO Box 3270
Sydney NSW 2001

Telephone: +61 (0) 2 9254 5000
Fax: +61 (0) 2 9251 3552
Email: BIGSkills09@icmsaust.com.au