Claire Field

Principal of Claire Field and Associates

Claire is the Principal of Claire Field and Associates, an independent consulting practice offering advice across VET, international education, higher education and GenAI/EdTech issues. 

Claire previously held senior positions in the NSW and Australian governments, as well as in TAFE NSW and Mission Australia. She also served as the CEO of the Australian Council for Private Education and Training. 

Claire is a member of the Australian government’s Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Advisory Group and in 2023 was awarded the International Education Association of Australia’ (IEAA) Excellence in Professional Commentary Award. Claire is the host of the ‘What now? What next? Insights into Australia’s tertiary education sector’ podcast, and is undertaking a PhD at Torrens University writing the history of the university’s first 10 years.

In an ever-changing world marked by rapid technological advancements, shifting societal needs, and global challenges, the education offered in the Australian VET system must continuously evolve to remain relevant and effective. 

In this presentation Claire will explain why future-proofing what we teach in VET requires a dynamic, forward-looking approach that blends the teaching of technical skills for the current world of work with helping prepare learners for a lifelong learning journey which will support them as job roles and workplaces continue to rapidly transform and change.

Claire will explore:

  1.  Teaching technical skills for the current workplace – new ways of fostering collaboration between the VET sector and industry:
  • Generative AI has been a game changer, both positive and negative, in the education sector and while much of the focus has been on ensuring academic integrity, far little attention has been given to the impact of generative AI and other forms of technology on the way work is done in different industries.
  • Keeping course content current in the national training package model presents significant challenges when AI and technology are rapidly changing work across business administration, construction, creative industries, healthcare, IT, meat processing, retail, law, marketing and even online counselling.

How can VET providers prepare students for the current workforce when the relevant Training Package was last updated years ago? 

  1. Encouraging lifelong learning:
  • Having been a member of the technical committee established by SaCSA as part of their VET qualification reform demonstration projects – it is pleasing to see the Jobs and Skills Councils (JSC) now able to pursue new ways of thinking about VET qualifications which explicitly prepare students for lifelong learning and make the learning of new skills and knowledge a much easier process for the relevant JSC, training providers, VET trainers and students. 
  • The changes being introduced through the national VET Qualification Reform work are a step change for VET and will help ensure the sector prepares and supports students throughout their lifelong learning journey.
  1. Fostering digital literacy and technological competence:
  • With the rapid evolution of technology, digital literacy has become a cornerstone of modern education. Providers must ensure students are proficient in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and data analytics. 
  • Equally importantly, learners should be taught to approach technology critically, understanding its capabilities and limitations. And of course, the VET sector needs to remain committed to tackling the digital divide.

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Whether it’s about sponsorship or tickets, feel free to reach out to us!

Ticket Inquiries

1300 208 774

Email support

[email protected]

Send us a message