Welcome to Episode 18 of The Skills Exchange Podcast, featuring Tyler Payne, a 2023 International VET Practitioner Fellow. Tyler shares her experience travelling overseas as part of the fellowship, exploring new approaches to vocational education and training, and gaining insights that have continued to influence her work on returning to Australia. She reflects on the impact of these experiences across the VET sector, including the importance of inclusive practice, supporting neurodivergent learners and diverse communities, and the role of policy in shaping the future of skills and education.

In Episode 17 of the Skills Exchange, we hear from Ella Saddington, a 2022 George Alexander Foundation Fellow. Ella shares her experience travelling through the UK and Europe to research traditional armour-making techniques, exploring the history, craftsmanship, and material intelligence behind centuries-old practices. She reflects on how the fellowship has shaped her artistic practice since returning to Australia, influencing the development of her lighting, furniture, and object designs through her studio, Cordon Salon. Ella also discusses her recent work, including the Garniture collection and sculptural lamps inspired by armoury techniques, and offers insight into how historical craft knowledge can inform contemporary design, sustainability, and innovation today.

In Episode 16 of the Skills Exchange, we hear from Raphael Karanikos, a 2024 Italian Australian Foundation Fellow. Raphael shares his experience travelling to Italy to study the traditional art of Roman mosaics, exploring the history, techniques, and craftsmanship behind the practice. He reflects on the impact of the fellowship since returning to Australia, the growing interest in mosaic art, and what it’s like being one of the few practising mosaic artists in the country. Raphael also gives insight into how mosaics are created, the patience and precision involved, and why preserving traditional art forms continues to matter today.

In Episode 15 of the Skills Exchange, we hear from Shae McGregor, a 2023 International VET Practitioner Fellow. Shae shares insights from her fellowship exploring how Australia can better support student progression and completion in education and training. Drawing on global approaches to inclusive learning, she reflects on strategies that help learners from underrepresented groups succeed, including those who are Indigenous, from low socioeconomic backgrounds, experiencing family violence, early school leavers, or from disadvantaged communities. She discusses the growing efforts across TAFEs to improve engagement, the barriers that still affect completion rates, and the importance of targeted, learner-centred support. Shae also highlights how stronger pathways through education can benefit individuals, communities, and Australia’s future workforce.

In Episode 14 of the Skills Exchange, we hear from Alida Milani, a 2024 Italian Australian Foundation Fellow. Alida shares insights from her fellowship exploring how Australia can learn from Italy’s world-leading textile and fashion craftsmanship to preserve and grow specialised skills. Drawing on her travels through Italy, she reflects on how historic artisanal practices are evolving alongside innovation, modernisation, and technology. She discusses the importance of lobbying for industry support, the current state of Australian manufacturing and fashion, and the challenges and opportunities within the local workforce. Alida also highlights the role of sustainable fashion and how thoughtful, future-focused approaches could help strengthen Australia’s artisan industry for generations to come.

In Episode 13 of the Skills Exchange, we hear from Jane Hickey, a 2021 International VET Practitioner Fellow. Jane shares insights from her fellowship on how the education system can better support students with disability as they transition into employment, where outcomes still lag behind their non-disabled peers. She explores successful global programs, to identify key ideas that could shape a new support model in Australia.

In Episode 12 of the Skills Exchange, we hear from Emilia Iacovino, a 2021 Italian Australian Foundation Fellow. Through her work in passive housing, we explore sustainability, climate change, and the role of smart design in building a greener future. We also unpack the importance of upskilling and empowering young people with the skills needed for a changing world.

In Episode 11 of The Skills Exchange, Daphne shares insights from her Mason Family Trust Fellowship, where she traveled through Europe exploring rag paper making, textile recycling, and paper archives. Daphne reflects on sustainability, overproduction, and what we can choose to make from what we throw away.

As we launch season 2 of the Skills Exchange Podcast, we are joined by 2022 Innovation in Criminal Justice Fellow, Lukas Carey. In our tenth episode we discuss the growing crisis of juvenile incarceration in Australia, and unpack Lukas' dissemination that took place while in the United States.

Welcome to episode 9 of The Skills Exchange!

Today we’re joined by 2023 International VET Practitioner Fellow, Paul Goudie.

Paul’s cybersecurity expertise drives his mission to enhance Australia’s digital defences through innovative education.

In this episode, we explore Paul’s vision of making Australia the most cyber secure nation by 2030.