Sustainable Skills Conference by Skills Strategies International: Shaping a Greener Future

The Sustainable Skills Conference, hosted by Skills Strategies International, brought together educators, industry leaders, youth voices, and sustainability champions with one shared goal: integrating sustainability into vocational education and training (VET).

This full-day event delivered insights, practical solutions, and a renewed focus on how skills development can drive sustainable change across industries.

The conference began with a heartfelt Welcome to Country by Ingrid Cumming, whose moving performance and traditional song set a tone of unity and purpose. The collective act of clapping together underscored the collaborative spirit that would define the day.

 

Inspiring the Next Generation

Bella Poll, 19-year-old Board President of Millennium Kids, captivated the audience with her vision for youth empowerment. She emphasized the importance of listening to young voices, equipping them with leadership skills, and ensuring that training delivery fosters meaningful, lifelong capabilities. Bella’s insights challenged all present to rethink how we support and inspire the leaders of tomorrow—a mission central to Skills Strategies International.

Insights from a Global Leader

Professor Peter Newman of Curtin University, a world-renowned expert in sustainability, delivered a compelling keynote. Drawing on his pioneering work in rail electrification and urban planning, Professor Newman provided a sweeping overview of local and global sustainability initiatives. Attendees left energized, with one remarking, “Wow, I didn’t know we were doing so much already!” Skills Strategies International continues to champion such thought leadership to inspire lasting change.

Industry Insights and Practical Applications

Susanna Beech, Director of Green Print Solutions, presented a case study highlighting the critical role of community and collaboration in advancing sustainability. Her session also spotlighted emerging job opportunities in this rapidly evolving sector.

Kate O’Hara, CEO of Foodbank WA, addressed the pressing issue of food waste and its connection to social sustainability. Her practical recommendations resonated strongly with those in hospitality and training, offering actionable steps for both personal and professional contexts. Skills Strategies International is dedicated to promoting these actionable solutions across the VET sector.

Shaping the Future of VET

A dynamic panel discussion explored the latest sustainability trends and their implications for VET. Featuring:

• Claudia Carsten (Mining and Automotive Training Council)

• Steve Hall (Powering Skills Organisation Ltd)

• Melissa Harkins (Future Now, Creative and Leisure Industries Training Council)

Key takeaways included:

• Regenerative Tourism: Travellers are increasingly seeking opportunities to contribute positively to destinations through activities like wildlife release and beach regeneration.

• Embedding Sustainability: Every unit of competency can be contextualized for sustainability, ensuring it is woven throughout the curriculum rather than taught in isolation.

Breakout Sessions: Practical Strategies for Educators

Interactive breakout sessions provided educators with hands-on strategies for integrating sustainability into their practice:

• Cat Luz (Millennium Kids): Focused on developing essential life skills.

• Dr. Jennifer Parsons: Offered an overview of environmental education.

• Martina Hoeppner (City Farm): Shared real-world insights, noting that “sustainability becomes the lens through which we view the rest of the curriculum.”

Skills Strategies International supports educators with these practical strategies, ensuring sustainability is not just an add-on but a core element of teaching and learning.

Integrating Sustainability Across Disciplines

The conference explored how sustainability can be embedded across various VET sectors:

• Hospitality and Tourism: Melissa Harkins discussed the rise of Sustainable and Regenerative Tourism.

• Creative Arts: Sustainability was positioned as a narrative thread, empowering students to tell impactful stories through art.

• ICT and Business: Existing competencies can be enhanced by embedding sustainability into work processes.

• Permaculture: Recognized as a sustainability-focused qualification, with recommendations to strengthen its alignment with other industries for broader employment pathways.

• Rich Tasks: The use of multilayered assignments that incorporate sustainability was highlighted as a best practice.

• Community Services: Emphasized social sustainability, collaboration, and community impact.

Our Ongoing Commitment

At Skills Strategies International, we are committed to:

• Continuing the conversation on sustainability in education.

• Supporting educators and learners with practical strategies and tools.

• Ensuring sustainability is embedded in all aspects of vocational training and delivery.

Together, we can ensure that sustainability is not just a topic but a transformative approach that shapes every learning area and prepares learners for the challenges and opportunities of the future.

Join us at Skills Strategies International as we lead the way in building skills for a sustainable world.