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Refocusing Australia’s Skills, Qualifications and Productivity Conversation
What the New Training Package Organising Framework Means and How Experience Shows the Way Australia talks a lot about productivity but rarely in ways that connect clearly to the workplace, skills, qualifications or what businesses actually experience day to day. Productivity is often described through economic measures, but for employers it is fundamentally about capability, […]
Leading with Impact & Innovation Networking 11.12.25, 5:30 – 7:30pm in Adelaide (will book out); Australian & NZ delegation to Bhutan 2026; Growth Hack (27-28.11.25) & Friday Pitch Night + Networking in Freeling; AI Powered Strategic Workforce Planning
Hi there Hope you are well? And many of us start an email with this question – I always mean it but maybe more so today. Because I’ve been supporting close family members with some health issues and sickness but they are much better now. I don’t think these are things to post about on […]
Stories, Strength, and Success: Highlights from the 2025 First Nations Business Showcase
On Tuesday 14 October 2025, more than 100 First Nations businesses from across South Australia gathered at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre (The Arena) for the annual First Nations Business Showcase 2025. Hosted by The Circle – First Nations Entrepreneur Hub, located at Lot Fourteen in Adelaide, the showcase offered a powerful platform for buyers, procurement teams, […]
First Nations Business Showcase 2025 – Capability, Collaboration and Community
On Tuesday, 14 October 2025, the First Nations Business Showcase 2025 will bring together more than 100 First Nations businesses from across South Australia at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Hindmarsh. Running from 10 am to 2.30 pm, this free event is a key part of Indigenous Business Month and offers buyers, procurement specialists, business leaders […]
Baby Granddaughter Joy; Small Business Week & Training Awards; Lunch Together; Spring Markets; JB Wines; First Nations Business Showcase 2025; Australia’s VET System & America’s Talent Strategy; More Blogs, Events & Grants
Hi there, hope you are well? The past few weeks have been full on, as our daughter Aimee became very unwell whilst in the later stages of her second pregnancy (she is much better now), and this meant being there for our family as a priority. Apologies if I missed your messages, calls, events and […]
5 Brands One Mission
Developing Current to Future-Ready Workforces & Education through Strategic Workforce Planning & Workforce Development, VET & TVET Innovation, Jobs & Skills Foresight Across Australia and internationally, these interconnected brands address critical challenges in strategic workforce planning, skills development, VET/TVET, business growth, innovation and entrepreneurship—delivering practical, future-focused solutions for industries, regions, communities, and individuals. Workforce BluePrint […]
Behind the Scenes of South Australia’s Brands and Icons: Discover the Stories, People, and Places You Didn’t Know You Needed to Know
South Australia has a way of quietly producing some of the best food, drinks, and experiences in the country—yet many of the people behind these local brands are doing it under the radar. You might have seen their products in a small independent grocer, or heard someone mention their name in passing, but you’ve never […]
What Makes Up ASEAN and Why Local Businesses Should Engage in the Australia–ASEAN Business Forum in Adelaide (August 2025)
You might ask – what is ASEAN? The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a regional intergovernmental organisation comprising 10 member countries: Brunei Darussalam Cambodia Indonesia Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Laos) Malaysia Myanmar The Philippines Singapore Thailand Vietnam Together, ASEAN represents a combined population of over 680 million people and a fast-growing regional economy […]
Business Lessons from the Skies – 13 Standout Startups from Shark Tank USA Season 15
On a recent flight from Australia to New York, I tuned into Shark Tank USA Season 15 and caught a wave of inspiring business pitches and commercials that showcase entrepreneurial grit, creativity, and commercial opportunity. Whether you’re scaling your own business, thinking about launching, or advising startups, here’s a look at the businesses featured, what […]
Easy read 8 point email – blogs, events & lunch invite; Regional Business Innovation Growth Hack; USA trip to Virginia Beach, Maryland, California for the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals Annual Conference; Whyalla’s Workforce
Hi there Catching up with a former client and friend recently they said, “I get your email and would like to read it all, but sometimes it is really long.” Taking that feedback on board, here’s a quick format with just 8 lines to see how this lands and please let me know what you think – […]
Erin Thompson MP, Member for Davenport, Parliamentary Speech – Wendy Perry Mentioned in Honour of International Women’s Day
Fifty-Fifth Parliament SOUTH AUSTRALIA PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) House of Assembly Wednesday, 5th March 2025 Motions International Women’s Day I move: That this house— (a) notes that 8 March 2025 is International Women’s Day and this year’s theme is March Forward; (b) acknowledges that while significant strides have been made, there is still much work ahead […]
Australia and the USA: Common Workforce Gaps and Issues plus the Unemployment Rate – What Should We Be Aiming For?
G’day and I hope you’re all doing well! Today, I want to have an open conversation about workforce issues that are increasingly relevant to both Australia and the U.S. It’s fascinating to see how the challenges we face align across oceans, and how we can learn from one another to tackle these issues head-on. The […]
Professional Development Webinars February – April 2025
Hosted by Wendy Perry – Strategic Workforce Planning & Transformation Leader | Workforce BluePrint MD | Founder, Switch Start Scale | VET & TVET Innovator | Board Member | Investor in Future Initiatives | Facilitator, Sea to Valley Startups Please meet, Wendy Perry who is the Managing Director of Workforce BluePrint, Facilitator for Sea to […]
What Can You Learn About Competency-Based Education and the VET System in Australia?
Competency-Based Education (CBE) is a fundamental approach in Vocational Education and Training (VET), aligning skill development with industry needs and workforce demands. The Australian VET system offers valuable insights into how CBE can be effectively implemented, scaled, and innovated. Take a look at key practices, frameworks, and resources from Australia, blending insights from discussions with […]
Leading by Example: Global Models of Vocational Excellence in VET and TVET Centres
Australia’s Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector is undergoing transformative change. Recent government announcements underscore the importance of TAFE Centres of Excellence (TCoEs), alongside many providers, as key drivers in building a skilled and future-ready workforce. These centres aim to embody collaborative partnerships between industry, education, and government, producing graduates with the high-quality skills demanded […]
How Can Community Colleges and Centres, VET and TVET Providers Diversity Income Streams and Gain Investment?
Many of you have said that you may need to consider diversifying your income streams, especially where you might be heavily reliance on some sort of Government funding. It is not sustainable if that is the case, and there is a framework that you can work through with your team to identify creative ways to […]
Exploring Opportunities for Small Businesses and Startups in Bhutan: A Personal Insight
Having travelled to Bhutan since 2013, around 10-12 times and spending a week here for BIF in October 2024, it’s clear to me that this unique country holds exciting potential for small businesses and startups. And I say great job to Druksell and CSI Market for working with 600+ businesses, providing an online platform for […]
From an Australian Skills Taxonomy to a Skills Ontology
The relationship between Australian VET qualifications and the jobs they are aligned to is not tight enough in many industry sectors and job roles. If you don’t work firsthand across a spectrum of competencies, qualifications and Training Packages then this direct evidence might not be obvious to you. Did you know that when building a […]
How to Rebuild Employment Services and Future Plan for Australia’s System
Recently I was asked by State Government colleagues what I thought about the Australian Government response to the House Select Committee on Workforce Australia Employment Services reports. Providing evidence for the House Select Committee on Workforce Australia Employment Services in 2023, hearing others contribute, and submitting formal responses, it was clear that whilst there are […]
Addressing Long-Term Unemployment in South Australia: Insights and Recommendations to the South Australian Productivity Commission
For 22 years, our private company has been dedicated to addressing the challenges faced by disengaged and long-term unemployed individuals across 32 different countries. Responding to the complex questions surrounding this issue with a Submission to Inquiry into Positioning All South Australians to Share in the Benefits of Economic Growth requires empathy, strategic foresight, and […]
South Australian State Budget: All About Families and Kids but What is Missing?
The South Australian State Budget for 2024-25, announced on June 6, 2024, introduces a range of initiatives and investments poised to significantly impact workforce development, education and training, and business opportunities across various sectors. Key highlights include: Skills Shortage Solutions – Initiatives to address skills shortages, including dedicated streams supporting the attraction, retention, and upskilling […]
AI and Strategic Foresight Applied to the Australian VET System and Qualification Reform
AI can mean Appreciative Inquiry as well as Artificial Intelligence, and visiting the USA earlier this year, it has become very clear about the things that are working well in Australia’s VET system, where applying this Appreciative Inquiry methodology asks how we amplify these strengths. So, what are some of the components of VET in […]
Essential Role of Deskless Workers and How to Enhance Their Experience
Deskless workers, who comprise up to 80% of the global workforce, are fundamental to numerous industries such as healthcare, construction, retail, & services. These employees typically do not have a fixed office or desk and often engage in field or frontline work (Simpplr) (eXo Platform). Despite their significant numbers, deskless workers have historically received less […]
The next version of the CES mustn’t be designed by bureaucrats in a bubble aka what do clients really need?
In the rapidly evolving world of work, the needs of job seekers and those venturing into self-employment are becoming increasingly complex. As we look toward the next iteration of Workforce Australia with the Commonwealth Employment Services (CES), it’s crucial to consider an innovative approach that addresses not just the technical aspects of employment but also […]