2025 Fellows

Backed by the Victorian Government, Kangan Institute has launched the $60 million Health and Community Centre of Excellence (HACCOE) in Broadmeadows—a state-of-the-art facility setting a new benchmark in vocational education and training (VET) in Australia. Whilst designed to support the delivery of excellence in educational outcomes, HACCOE plays a key role in responding to the nation's growing health and community sector skills shortage and sets a new standard in innovative education delivery. In alignment with its ambitious vision, this fellowship will undertake a global exploration of leading Health and Community Centres of Excellence (CoEs), identifying international best practices, high-impact partnership frameworks between CoEs, government, and industry, and successful models of integration between vocational and higher education. The insights gained will inform strategies to ensure HACCOE’s long-term success as a transformative force in the VET landscape.

As part of his ISS Institute Fellowship, Paul Hrasko will investigate the internationally recognised approaches to achieving gender equity in Vocational Education and Training (VET) across the Nordic countries. Renowned for their progressive policies and consistent leadership in global gender equality rankings, these countries offer valuable insights into dismantling barriers within vocational fields. Paul’s research will focus on inclusive teaching strategies that encourage gender-diverse participation. By translating effective Nordic practices to the Victorian context, the Fellowship will support the development of professional learning resources and strategic frameworks aimed at driving lasting, system-wide improvements. The findings will contribute to ongoing research, writing, and cross-sector collaboration to advance gender equity in VET.

Candace’s Fellowship will focus on teaching sustainable methods in the upholstery industry, to train the next generation of Upholsterers with environmentally conscious materials and to revive the expert craftsmanship and skills involved in traditional upholstery. During her fellowship, Candace will attend training in England to learn these traditional methods from master craftsmen and to explore the sustainable materials for upholstery that are currently being used in Europe. Candace will then bring this research back to Australia and through the upholstery teaching program at Holmesglen and working closely with industry leaders in Victoria, these methods and materials will be explored, used and implemented, creating a more sustainable and beautiful future for the furniture industry.

Freyja's Fellowship will investigate how global adult education policy frameworks, networks and emerging ideas can improve the educational approaches of a locally-driven family learning hub in Melbourne. Freyja will travel to the European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA) annual conference in Germany in June, where the theme is ‘flexible learning pathways’. Later in the year, Freyja will travel to East Africa for site visits and targeted networking with adult education organisations, leveraging contacts from within the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning. This research aims to further the success of the Debney Meadows Community Hub (hereafter The Hub), a Learn Local Partnership Award-winning initiative that supports Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) families living in public housing. The Hub has helped increase participation in adult education amongst a traditionally under-served section of the population, namely mothers of East African origin who face multiple barriers to accessing education and training.

This Fellowship explores how leading nations train teachers to integrate cybersecurity into curricula. By examining teacher training programs in countries with established cybersecurity education, it will identify best practices in cyber readiness training for educators. The insights gained will help strengthen cybersecurity education in Australia’s vocational education and training (VET) sector. The goal is to equip teachers with the skills to teach digital safety and reinforce cybersecurity principles, creating a more cyber-aware workforce. This research will contribute to improving cybersecurity education and training for Australian teachers and students alike.

The Fellowship is aimed at expanding the current support provided to from disadvantaged backgrounds to access and engage in VET opportunities. Even though Australia provides increased access to training through government programs like the Skills First, Free TAFE program, the fellowship intends to explore inclusive strategies used in Finland and Sweden that prioritise equity over equality, in order to develop an individualised person-centred approach of support in which the learning and social support of students are integrated. Through co-design and collaboration with RTO staff and students, the fellow will work to identify strategies to develop individualised training plans that cater to diverse needs, beyond disability access plans currently available in Victoria.

This Fellowship explores international models that support vocational educators in maintaining emotional boundaries while providing compassionate, student-centred care. The concept of care without attachment promotes empathetic engagement without compromising educator wellbeing, a growing need in the VET sector as student mental health challenges and learner diversity become more visible and complex. Through an applied research tour of leading institutions globally, this Fellowship will investigate frameworks that foster educator resilience, emotional sustainability, and inclusive teaching practices. These insights will inform the development of professional learning resources and strategies tailored to the Victorian VET context, supporting both educator retention and student success.

This International VET Practitioner Fellowship focuses on the implementation of eco-friendly sports turf solutions to reduce water consumption and minimize the use of harmful chemicals whilst maintaining optimal turf health and aesthetics. In particular, the use of innovative, data and technological-driven approaches will be researched to analyse the best practices globally which will assist Victorian sports turf students and managers to incorporate the latest technological advancements locally. The Fellowship's main aim is for intensive and applied research to inform and have a positive impact on the way that sports turf management is taught in Victorian TAFE's to help conserve water, inform selection of drought-tolerant turf varieties and limit harmful chemical use.

Nic Russell’s Fellowship addresses the digital and AI capability gap within small to medium Not-for-Profit RTOs, particularly those delivering VET to Secondary Students (VETDSS). Through international site visits across Scandinavia and the UK, alongside national engagement, Nic will investigate effective approaches to digital integration and AI in education. Findings will be compiled into an accessible online platform that collates free and low-cost training, case studies, and links to relevant websites and online content showcasing relevant information. The platform will strengthen educator confidence, build skill capability, and support organisations with limited resources in onboarding and embedding digital and AI knowledge.

There is a long-standing skills shortage in the automotive trades, which means employers are looking beyond the traditional talent pool for apprentices. With autism rates increasing, and career advisors encouraging autistic students to follow their passions, it follows that more autistic people are entering the automotive trades. Kate is seeking best teaching practices to use in the classroom to ensure autistic apprentices are not part of the high dropout rate for apprentices. Changing the narrative on ‘how we do things’ in teaching apprentices opens the door to harnessing the skills autistic people bring.

This Fellowship investigates vocation education policy makers, Tafes, and trainers respond to rapid changes in technology. It will deliver insights into how the Victorian VET system can remain current and deliver future-ready vocational skills for the construction and built environment sectors, with a particular focus on the impact of digital disruption and the transition to a clean and circular economy. Jeremy will explore how leading countries are: •Upskilling existing tradespeople to work in digitally enabled, low-carbon construction environments. •Creating new entry pathways for young people and career changers into trades and technical occupations. •Ensuring training providers remain up to date with industry needs, especially in digital tools (e.g. BIM, offsite manufacturing, digital twin technologies) and sustainability standards.

Emma is a highly experienced Early Childhood Educator and more recently, a teacher of English as an additional language (EAL). Emma’s Fellowship will address how migrant learners can be supported in raising children in Australia, while also learning English. The Fellowship will explore models of language learning combined with parenting support overseas, while also gathering data from migrant families in Australia to learn from their direct experiences. The findings will be shared with policy makers and course developers to consider programs that support migrant families. Education on the importance of Early Childhood can improve outcomes for children and improve staff shortages in the ECEC sector.