The industries we serve

Construction

Across the construction spectrum – whether it’s building the housing supply for the nation, or ensuring the civil construction workforce is ready for the roads and submarines of tomorrow – Skills Frontier helps leaders and policy makers plan for the skills and workforce of tomorrow. Our construction consulting expertise has enabled clients to consider the future workforce plans and associated skills required across the construction spectrum, balancing major project pipelines, ensuring mobility of the workforce, and reviewing funding policies and programs to ensure the strongest outcomes for states, territories and the nation.

Whether it’s the domestic house building in the UK considering where their workforce and skills supply with come from post-Brexit, how modern methods of construction skills differentiate from traditional construction, or supporting whole-of-state skills planning to get the balance right between housing, commercial and civil construction skills programs, Skills Frontier is partnering with the leaders across the nation to make informed decisions that guide the future skills pipeline for the sector.

Projects we’ve delivered:

  • CIFE UK – Analysing and making recommendations to bolster the housing skills pipeline supply for the UK post-Brexit.

  • Good Growth Alliance – We convened and chaired an alliance of property developers, business community, city shapers, Shelter, homelessness representation and community housing to bring a united voice to campaign for government leadership in housing supply and delivery, contributing to the current political commitment to housing supply.

  • CITB Cross-Sector Planning Committee – We are represented on the inaugural CITB SA Cross-Sector Planning Committee, supporting the Board to invest in the construction training pipeline for South Australia.

  • Hydrogen Training Project Technical Committee - We are represented on the Build Skills Hydrogen Training Project Technical Committee, engaged to provide expert, evidence-based advice to Build Skills on the content of training products and training design, and to be proactive in the pursuit of expert input related to advances in technology innovation.

Defence

From bolstering sovereign capability to building the workforce for AUKUS, Skills Frontier is helping defence leaders decode the skills and workforce policy landscape—so they can invest in people, infrastructure and partnerships with confidence. Our work in defence spans national policy reform, sovereign industry planning, and training pipeline design, enabling our clients to respond to urgent capability needs while building long-term, sustainable workforce solutions.

We bring a deep understanding of AUKUS and the broader Continuous Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment (CNSS) program, and have contributed to initiatives that align industry demand with education and training supply. Whether supporting Jobs and Skills Australia to define capacity and readiness of the training system, or working with the Defence Teaming Centre to map national training and skills activity, we bring clarity to complexity and support sector leaders to influence policy and future-proof their workforce strategies.

Projects we’ve delivered:

  • Jobs and Skills Australia – Assess the capacity and readiness of TAFEs to support the AUKUS Nuclear Powered Submarine program and Defence.

  • Defence Teaming Centre – Map defence related training programs across the nation and identify future opportunities and gaps

Skills Policy

Skills Frontier supports those at the frontline of national skills reform to cut through the noise and shape the future. From the VET Workforce Blueprint to the Universities Accord, our work helps senior leaders interpret reform directions, engage effectively in the policy process, and position their organisations to lead through change.

We’ve advised governments, peak bodies, and leading providers on how to navigate the evolving skills landscape - from the implications of the National Skills Agreement to the opportunities emerging from Centres of Excellence and the Employment White Paper. 

Our work helps policy and strategy leads translate high-level policy shifts into practical, measurable action - whether that’s shaping future government policy design, internal capability planning, sector engagement strategies or funding alignment.

Projects we’ve delivered:

  • Jobs and Skills Australia – Helping shape the planning for the future VET Workforce Blueprint, including exploring the institutional drivers for data collection and sharing from training providers.

  • TAFE NSW and NSW Government – Leading TAFE NSW’s internal engagement, policy formation and advocacy strategy to inform the NSW VET Review, including a review of TAFE NSW. Supporting the NSW Government’s consideration of the VET review and government response, including implementation plans for recommendations.

  • National Skills Agreement – Helping leaders understand the key components and decision-making processes that align to the National Skills Agreement, including TAFE NSW and training organisations during strategic planning workshops.

  • Universities Accord – Shaping the TAFE sector inputs and response to the Universities Accord, including the case for self-accreditation pilots at TAFEs and the role of TAFEs in Regional University Centres.

  • Employment White Paper – Briefing leadership teams and Boards on what the White Paper means for the future of policy and funding programs, and how to embed this knowledge in the design of future programs.

  • Centres of Excellence – Leading the ideation and contributing to the design of the three TAFE NSW Manufacturing Centres of Excellence, including designing the industry consultation approach, leading engagement across key NSW Government agencies and the university sector, and pursuing NSW Cabinet support for the design model.

  • Keynote speeches and panels on the future of skills – Delivering keynotes, hosting panels and speaking at industry conferences about the future of skills and skills policy in Australia, and how to be on the front foot.

  • Clients: Clients of Skills Frontier, or previously Conceicao Consulting, include Jobs and Skills Australia, Group Training Organisations, The Chartered Institute for Further Education, MEGT, National Apprentice Employment Network, Apprentice Employment Network NSW & ACT, Victorian TAFE Association, and Resources and Energy Skills Alliance.

  • Experience: Across the skills sector Lauren has experience working in leadership or advisory roles for National Apprentice Employment Network, Association of Colleges, TAFE NSW, AATIS, Apprentice Employment Network SA, St Patricks Technical College and the Construction Industry Training Board.

Apprenticeships

As apprenticeship models evolve to meet the demands of a changing economy, Skills Frontier is working with those at the heart of the system to ensure it remains fit for purpose - responsive, inclusive, and aligned to future skills needs. From traditional trades to higher and degree apprenticeships, we help governments, employers, and intermediaries rethink how apprenticeships are structured, delivered, and supported.

We’ve supported national peak bodies, group training organisations, and training providers to strengthen their apprenticeship strategies - from shaping policy reform, to improving delivery models and boosting completion rates. Whether it’s designing new apprenticeship pathways, convening national networks, or shaping the success of new models like the Apprentice Connect Australia program, our work is shaping the future of apprenticeship delivery in Australia and internationally.

Projects we’ve delivered:

  • Supporting ACAP providers with their submission to the Future Directions for Australian Apprenticeship Support Services Consultation Paper, resulting in key program shaping outcomes aligned to recommendations made.

  • Presenting at the Inaugural International Conference for Apprenticeship Degrees on Australia’s pathway to introducing Apprenticeship Degrees (Oxford, UK)

  • Member of St Patricks Technical College Advisory Board, supporting the school to deliver enhanced outcomes for school-based apprenticeships in South Australia.