OctoberVET Ballarat
Each year, we host OctoberVET Ballarat as part of a national series of events led by the Australian Vocational Education and Training Research Association (AVETRA).
'Creating possibilities' at the 2025 event
OctoberVET Ballarat is an annual event run by the Researching Adult and Vocational Education (RAVE) group. It’s free and open to anyone with an interest in vocational education and training. The event brings together teachers and trainers, school careers staff, Group Training Organisations, people working with young people, and industry professionals to share ideas, showcase research and build research capacity across the sector. It creates space for both new and experienced researchers to contribute.
As part of the national OctoberVET series led by the Australasian Vocational Education and Training Research Association (AVETRA), OctoberVET Ballarat connects regional Victoria to a broader national conversation. This is a chance to connect, learn and be part of these conversations – whether you can join us in person or online.
Contact us
Have questions about OctoberVET in Ballarat? Email us at vet.research@federation.edu.au. We also publish a RAVE newsletter twice a year to share upcoming events and research. Email us and we’ll add you to the list.
Past events
OctoberVET Ballarat was held on Friday 5 December 2025 at our SMB Campus in Ballarat. The theme, ‘Vocational education in challenging times: Creating possibilities and shaping opportunities’, explored how VET adapts, innovates and leads in times of uncertainty. The event featured a keynote from Emeritus Professor Erica Smith.
Download the OctoberVET Ballarat program for 2025 (PDF 295 KB).
OctoberVET Ballarat was held on Thursday 14 November 2024 at our SMB Campus in Ballarat. The theme, ‘The evolving faces of VET: Bridging industry, policy and diversity for the future’, explored key shifts in the sector and featured keynotes from Dugald Murray and Lizzy O’Shea (Victorian TAFE Association).
Download the OctoberVET Ballarat program for 2024 (PDF 214 KB).
OctoberVET Ballarat was held on 15 November 2023 at our SMB Campus in Ballarat. The theme was ‘Learning landscapes: Learning for work and life', and featured keynotes from Honorary Professor Barry Golding and Emeritus Professor Erica Smith.
Download the OctoberVET Ballarat program for 2023 (PDF 179 KB).
OctoberVET Ballarat was held on 23 November 2022 at our SMB Campus in Ballarat. The theme was ‘Inclusivity and the future of VET', and featured a keynote from Professor Robin Shreeve.
Download the OctoberVET Ballarat program for 2022 (PDF 227 KB).
OctoberVET Ballarat was held online on 25 November 2021. The theme was ‘Beyond COVID', and featured a keynote from Gary Workman (Apprentice Employment Network).
Download the OctoberVET Ballarat program for 2021 (PDF 445 KB).
OctoberVET Ballarat was held online on 16 November 2020. The theme, ‘Learning in turbulent times’, included an international keynote from Anthony Mann (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development).
Download the OctoberVET Ballarat program for 2020 (PDF 399 KB).
OctoberVET Ballarat was held on 14 November 2019 at our SMB Campus in Ballarat. The theme was ‘Supporting young people into their futures: Research and practice', and featured keynotes from Emeritus Professor Erica Smith, Professor Annette Foley (Federation University) and Bernadette Gigliotti (Career Education Association of Victoria).
Download the OctoberVET Ballarat program for 2019 (PDF 162 KB).
OctoberVET Ballarat was held on 7 November 2018 at our SMB Campus in Ballarat. The theme was ‘Apprenticeships and traineeships: Research, policy and practice', and featured keynotes from Carl Walsh (Department of Education and Training Victoria), Emeritus Professor Erica Smith and Jackie Tuck (Federation University).
Download the OctoberVET Ballarat program for 2018 (PDF 151 KB).
OctoberVET Ballarat was held on 9 November 2017 at our SMB Campus in Ballarat. The theme was ‘Training for industry'.
Download the OctoberVET Ballarat program for 2017 (PDF 42 KB).
OctoberVET Ballarat was held on 18 October 2016 at our SMB Campus in Ballarat. The theme was ‘Teaching, training and learning: VET’s true business’, and featured keynotes from Ruth Schubert and Emeritus Professor Erica Smith.
OctoberVET Ballarat was held on Friday 17 October 2014 at our SMB Campus in Ballarat.
Download the OctoberVET Ballarat program for 2014 (PDF 164 KB).
OctoberVET Ballarat was held on Friday 18 October 2013 at our SMB Campus in Ballarat.
Download the OctoberVET Ballarat program for 2013 (PDF 148 KB).