We specialise in skills policy, workforce planning, vocational education, and system reform. Our work translates evidence into action, ensuring that policy ambition connects with industry reality.
From national workforce strategies to sector reviews and training reform, we help clients navigate complexity with confidence — and deliver outcomes that matter. We’re known for sharp analysis, sector fluency, and deliverables that actually influence decision-making (not sit on a shelf).
Our clients include Jobs and Skills Australia, the Department of Defence, MEGT, national apprenticeship networks, and leading education providers.
Skills Frontier is a strategy and research consultancy helping governments, industry, and education leaders build the future workforce — with clarity, purpose and impact.
Lauren Conceicao, Managing Director
“I founded Skills Frontier after two decades working across the skills, education and workforce system - from executive government and TAFE leadership, to national industry bodies and international research roles.”
Lauren has led multi-million dollar reform programs, shaped policy at Cabinet level, and built deep trust across public and private sectors. Her career has spanned roles such as Executive Director at TAFE NSW, National Executive of the National Apprentice Employment Network, and Deputy Executive Director of the Property Council of Australia (NSW).
Lauren understands how government works - and how to make it work better. She’s a systems thinker with a sharp sense for where policy and practice fall out of step - and what needs to happen to fix it.
Today, Lauren is a sought-after advisor, speaker, and strategist - helping leaders shape a fairer, smarter and more future-focused skills system.
Qualifications:
Master of Business Administration
Certificate IV in Training and Assessment
Current Working With Children Check
Police Clearance (SA and NSW)
AGSVA Baseline Security Clearance
Current advisory roles:
St Patricks Technical College Board
Construction Industry Training Board (CITB SA) Cross-Sector Planning Committee
Build Skills Hydrogen Training Project Technical Committee
TAFE SA Regional Skills Advisory Committee - Barossa Valley
Our Associate Network
Skills Frontier has built a team underpinned by a network of skills sector and labour force experts.
Our team is flexible, working at the right level to deliver the expertise needed on a project-by-project basis at the optimal price point for our clients.
Bringing together expertise across policy, strategy, leadership, program delivery, sector expertise, government, private sector, labour market economics and corporate consulting, our team will be outlined in any proposal documents.
Meet some of our Associates:
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Associate
Peter Nolan is an experienced executive with over 25 years’ expertise spanning workforce development, training systems, and organisational leadership, with deep domain knowledge in construction, property, infrastructure and related sectors.
He has led workforce and training strategy from both industry and provider perspectives, including as CEO of PEER and Civil Contractors Federation SA, Director at TAFE SA, and Head of Apprentice & Trainee Centre at the Australian Industry Group. His work has shaped VET policy, driven compliance across RTOs and group training operations, and led national initiatives in employment and skills development.
Peter has contributed to major industry reforms including infrastructure planning, skills legislation, training package development and red tape reduction. He has delivered nationally recognised training solutions for sectors such as construction, water, manufacturing and hospitality, working closely with government, regulators and peak bodies across Australia.
Today, he supports Skills Frontier clients with expert insight on training systems, workforce policy, and organisational capability, helping build the skills and partnerships needed for a future-ready workforce.
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Strategic Adviser
Justin’s experience as a global consultant on strategic matters relating to workforce elevate Skills Frontier’s outputs to deliver results for clients that meet the modern expectations in a corporate setting.
Justin has led consulting, surveying, analysis and reporting for large clients, while also collating global datasets and insights to produce graphics and reports that underpin thought leadership and sector insights.
Let’s work together.
Skills Frontier builds project teams with the right experts for the right projects – partnering with organisations and individuals where their expertise adds to the deliverables and outcomes from Skills Frontier.
Contact us to express interest in joining our associate network and being considered for project opportunities, we’re also keen to connect with great people.