In the first webinar of the new 6-weekly National Skills Taxonomy (NST) series, we explore why a shared understanding of skills is essential to building Australia’s skills-first future. Hosted by Megan Lilly, Acting Commissioner of Jobs and Skills Australia, and featuring Craig Robertson, CEO of the Victorian Skills Authority, and Adrienne Nieuwenhuis, Commissioner of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA), the discussion examines how skills can be better recognised, valued and transferred across education, training and employment systems.
The webinar introduces the human-centred definition of skill underpinning the NST, highlighting skills as dynamic, context-dependent capabilities developed through learning, work, lived experience and community participation. Speakers discuss why many important capabilities, including communication, judgement, collaboration, leadership and adaptability, are often overlooked despite being critical to workforce success.
Against the backdrop of rapid technological change and the rise of AI, the conversation explores how uniquely human capabilities are becoming increasingly valuable. The panel also considers the role of a common skills language in supporting workforce mobility, skills recognition, lifelong learning, and more equitable pathways for learners and workers. Through practical examples and audience questions, the webinar outlines how the NST can support stronger connections between education, industry and policy, helping Australians navigate changing careers and opportunities with greater confidence.
Watch the webinar recording below.
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