Business, industry, training, and government leaders from across the New England North West will come together next month for the New England North West Future Workforce Forum: Building Capability at Speed, a high-impact regional event designed to accelerate practical workforce solutions in a rapidly changing environment.
Hosted by Business NSW New England North West with venue support from the University of New England, the forum will be held on Wednesday 4 March 2026 at the UNE Tamworth Study Centre.
At the centre of the program are two keynote sessions tackling the most urgent workforce issues facing regional employers in 2026, including industrial relations reform, ethical AI integration, and the urgent need for faster, more flexible skills development.
- The New Rules of Work: Compliance without chaos
In a special keynote, Julian Ardnt, Director at Australian Business Lawyers and Advisors (ABLA) will unpack how the rules of work are shifting in 2026 and what this means for employers across the New England North West. From evolving industrial relations settings to the ethical use of AI in the workplace, the session will provide practical insights into how organisations can stay compliant while building fair, responsible and future-ready workforce practices.
With regulatory change and technological disruption converging at pace, this session will deliver clarity for regional employers navigating increasingly complex workforce settings.
- AI, Micro-Credentials, and the Future of Skills
An engaging keynote from Melinda Brown, General Manager of Skills IQ, will explore how AI is accelerating transformation across industries and what this means for workforce capability in regional Australia.
Her address will focus on the growing importance of micro-credentials, rapid upskilling and flexible skills funding models to support productivity and workforce participation. As skills gaps intensify across priority sectors including energy, manufacturing, health, construction, agriculture, care and technology, the session will examine how regions like the New England North West can respond at speed to remain competitive and investment ready.
- Elevating youth work readiness and diverse workforce participation
The forum will also shine a spotlight on youth transitions, featuring a regional case study presented by Careers Network that demonstrates how coordinated employer engagement and well-designed pathways can move young people confidently from education into employment.
A facilitated panel discussion on attracting diverse cohorts will bring together industry, training, and workforce leaders to explore strategies for widening participation and building a stronger, more inclusive regional workforce. The session will include live Q&A, ensuring attendees can actively shape the conversation and contribute to practical next steps.
Advancing regional priorities
Purpose-built to advance New England North West regional priorities, the forum will:
- Continue advocacy for flexible skills funding and formal recognition of micro-credentials
- Promote business-led training pilots and deeper regional VET collaboration
- Elevate youth work readiness as a strategic economic priority
As industrial relations frameworks evolve, AI reshapes job design, and workforce shortages continue to constrain growth, the New England North West Future Workforce Forum aims to align regional effort, mobilise action and build capability at speed.
Event Details:
New England North West Future Workforce Forum: Building Capability at Speed
Date: Wednesday 4 March 2026
Time: 10:45 AM to 2:00 PM (registrations from 10:30 AM)
Location: UNE Tamworth Study Centre, Fitzroy Street, Tamworth
Open event, $49* (plus $1, 123Tix and card payment fee) | Free Media Registration
Includes light networking lunch.
Training providers, industry leaders, medium and large regional employers, Chambers of Commerce, economic development and workforce agencies, government representatives, schools, careers advisors and youth transition leaders are encouraged to attend.
Media Release: Business NSW
