As AI technology development plateaus after the rapid advances of recent years, the vocational education and training sector faces crucial decisions about how to prepare workers for a landscape where AI capabilities are becoming clearer and more defined. Drawing on Mandala’s research on AI for a wide variety of different clients, this presentation examines how organisations are implementing current AI technologies and what this technological stabilisation and more certain adoption means for VET.

Key areas of focus will include how different sectors are utilising AI tools now that the technology’s strengths and limitations are better understood, the emerging skills gaps that need to be addressed, and the varying needs across different workforce demographics. The presentation will explore what we’ve learned about effective AI adoption and discuss practical implications for VET providers to develop industry-relevant AI curricula that balance foundational knowledge with hands-on application.

Special attention will be paid to the distinct challenges and opportunities facing different industry sectors, and how VET can best support their evolving needs in an environment where AI capabilities are more clearly defined.

This forward-looking discussion will be grounded in Mandala’s research into workforce implications and skills requirements, offering practical insights for providers and educators navigating this critical transition period where the focus shifts from rapid technological change to effective implementation and integration.