National Skills Week 2026 — NSW Conference & Networking Evening

**Ticket Price:** $140 per person (includes full-day conference, lunch, and networking drinks) The National Skills Week 2026 NSW Conference brings together industry leaders, educators, policymakers, apprentices and community advocates for a full-day program at Business Sydney, Level 6, 8 Chifley Square, Sydney. **Theme: "Life Changing"** Nearly half of all new jobs created in the next decade will require VET qualifications. This conference tells the story that data alone cannot — the individual, industry and community transformations that happen when Australians access the right skills at the right time. --- **Conference Program** 9:00 am — Guest Arrival & Registration 9:30 am — Welcome to Country & Opening Remarks 9:40 am — Conference Opening Address: "Life Changing: Why This Moment Matters" 9:50 am — Ministerial Keynote 10:15 am — Q&A 10:25 am — Morning Tea & Exhibition Zone --- **Pillar 1: Change a Life — Personal Transformation Stories** 10:45 am — Life Changing Panel 11:30 am — Feature Story: "Trade Schools That Change Suburbs" --- **Pillar 2: Change an Industry — Business Investment in Skills** 11:40 am — Industry Keynote: "The ROI of Training: Productivity, Attraction & Retention" 12:10 pm — Industry Panel: "Skills as a Business Strategy" 12:55 pm — Lunch Break & Exhibition Zone --- **Pillar 3: Change a System — Policy, TAFE & the University Accord** 1:30 pm — TAFE NSW Panel: "The University Accord in Action" 1:50 pm — Industry Perspective: "Engineering Pathways: Work Experience, SBATs and the Pipeline of Talent" 2:10 pm — Apprenticeship Support: "What the Research Tells Us" 2:25 pm — Foundation Skills Presentation: "The Invisible Gateway" 2:40 pm — Foundation Skills Panel Discussion 2:50 pm — Spotlight: Career Advisors Association — 50 Years of Changing Lives 3:00 pm — Afternoon Tea --- **Pillar 4: Change a Community — WorldSkills, Recognition & Close** 3:15 pm — WorldSkills Showcase: "Australia's Best" 3:25 pm — Community Spotlight: "The Renewable Energy Training Academy: Skills That Stay in the Region" 3:40 pm — Performance 3:55 pm — Closing Address: "The Road Ahead: A Life Changing Commitment" 4:10 pm — Vote of Thanks 4:15 pm — Official Photos 4:30 pm — Formal Program Concludes. Networking Drinks Commence. 6:00 pm — Event Concludes --- **Venue:** Business Sydney, Level 6, 8 Chifley Square, Sydney NSW 2000