Solutions to the Critical Thinking Crisis in VET Symposium
The National VET Critical Thinking Symposium brings together leading educators, industry experts and researchers from across Australia to explore practical, inclusive and future‑focused solutions to one of VET’s most urgent capability gaps.
Description
To register in-person - click here
Critical thinking, professional judgement and learner agency are under pressure across the VET sector and AI is accelerating the challenge.
The National VET Critical Thinking Symposium brings together leading educators, industry experts and researchers from across Australia to explore practical, inclusive and future‑focused solutions to one of VET’s most urgent capability gaps.
Across keynotes, research‑informed practice and real‑world case studies, this symposium examines:
- Critically examining Gen Z and Gen Alpha as learners.
- Building AI fluency through creativity, reasoning and evaluation.
- Strengthening critical thinking through neurodiversity‑affirming practice.
- Case studies that challenge assumptions through co‑design and transformation.
- Cognitive offloading and learning integrity: examining what happens when AI does the thinking- and what educators must protect and rebuild
- Teaching and assessing professional judgement for real work.
This is not about resisting technology- it’s about designing learning where human thinking remains central.
Program
Master of Ceremonies
Lisa Confoy Project Director, VET Development Centre
Featuring Keynote Presentations

Audience
VET educators, instructional designers, education leaders, policy professionals, RTO managers, industry partners and anyone committed to strengthening thinking, judgement and credibility in vocational education.
Join the national conversation and help shape how VET responds thoughtfully, inclusively and with confidence in the age of AI.
Session includes
Included with Your Registration — $199 including GST for the full day
- Full access to all session recordings (30 days on VDC On‑Demand)
- Learning you can revisit, reuse, and share long after the day ends.
- Additional curated resources and tools shared by presenters.
- Certificate of attendance.
In‑person participants (Melbourne)
- Networking lunch.
- Direct access to presenters, sector experts, and peers.
- Informal, high‑value conversations beyond the sessions.
Online participants- exclusive benefits
-
A Morning Tea Conversation Café with Leon Furze exploring AI, critical thinking, and what high‑quality judgement now looks like in VET teaching practice.
- Practical classroom hacks shared live, designed specifically for online attendees.
- Real‑time Q&A designed for online participation.
Venue
- In-person - the VET Development Centre, Level 8, 379 Collins Street, Melbourne 3000
- Online via Zoom
We are committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive and neuroaffirming event. A quiet space will be available throughout the day for anyone who needs time away from noise or stimulation, including for rest, regulation or quiet reflection.
Please let us know during registration if you have additional access or participation needs, or contact info@vdc.edu.au
