6/08/2026
Register for IEP Summit Australia 2026
Ahead of the IEP Australia Summit in Melbourne, we sat down with Tamika Biddlecombe FIEP, Executive Director at the Pathways and Advocacy Network, and IEP Australia Member of the Month for April 2026, to talk all things Summit and employability. Having attended both the UK and Australia Summits in 2025, Tamika shares her reflections on what makes each event distinct, the challenges shared across both sectors, and what she’s looking forward to this year.
What made you want to attend the Summits in both the UK and Australia?
I saw the Summits as an opportunity to stay connected with the employability sector, learn about emerging trends and challenges, and hear directly from people leading change. For our organisation, the UK has several examples of Guarantee programs, which we have a focus on – so it was great to be able to engage with other professionals with experiences in this space. The Summits also provide a valuable chance to connect with professionals who are genuinely passionate about improving outcomes for individuals, employers and communities.
What stood out most from your first (or most recent) Australia Summit experience?
The level of audience engagement really stood out. It wasn’t just a series of presentations, there was opportunity to engage with speakers and panel members, ask questions, challenge ideas and hear different perspectives.
Was there a session, speaker, or conversation from a past Australia Summit that’s stuck with you?
Professor Leisa Sargent’s presentation on organisational leadership really resonated with me. It highlighted the importance of creating environments where leaders are genuinely supported to lead, rather than simply expected to deliver outcomes with increasingly complex demands. It felt like a very timely discussion and one that extends well beyond the employability sector.
What’s the biggest difference you’ve noticed between the UK IEP Summit and the Australia IEP Summit – in tone, content, or the people in the room?
The UK Summit reflected the maturity and scale of the IEP’s presence there. It brought together a large and diverse audience of Fellows, senior industry leaders and practitioners, with strong discussion around AI, workforce capability, future skills and sector innovation. I also really valued the inclusion of employer voices. Hearing directly from First Bus about attracting, developing and retaining talent brought a different perspective to the conversation and reinforced that employability is a shared responsibility between providers, governments and employers. I’d love to see more employer perspectives incorporated as the Australian Summit continues to grow.
Are there any surprising similarities between the employability sector’s challenges in the UK versus Australia?
Despite the different policy environments, many of the underlying challenges are remarkably similar. Both countries are navigating rapid technological change, increasing complexity in participant needs, workforce capability challenges, and the need to deliver more personalised support while demonstrating measurable outcomes. It was also interesting to see the UK’s continued move towards devolved employment services in parts of the country. While the structures differ, the underlying conversations about local decision-making, collaboration and delivering person-centred services felt very familiar.
The Australia Summit is described as an “anti-conference” – how does that energy compare to the UK event?
I think “anti-conference” is a great way to focus on and encourage participation rather than simply listening. Often we attend conferences with little opportunity to create space for conversations that continue beyond the sessions themselves – the networking opportunities during the event make it easier to build relationships and explore ideas in more depth.
Has attending both given you insights or ideas you’ve been able to bring back and apply in your own work?
Absolutely. It’s been interesting to see at both events the conversation around AI evolve from exploring its potential to discussing how it can be responsibly embedded into everyday practice. Over the past 18 months, it feels like the conversation has started to mature, with AI becoming less of the headline and more of a practical tool to support the work we do. I’ve also appreciated the opportunity to connect with organisational leaders and researchers who are passionate about evidence-informed, person-centred program design. Those conversations continue to influence how I approach collaboration and service design and have encouraged us to keep refining our scope, challenging our assumptions and staying focused on the people we’re here to support.
What’s a moment of genuine connection or networking from a past Summit that led to something tangible – a partnership, professional relationship, an idea, a career move?
One of the most valuable outcomes has been building relationships with professionals I wouldn’t otherwise have met. Those conversations have continued beyond the Summit, providing opportunities to exchange ideas, seek advice and stay connected with developments across the sector, and contributed to an ongoing professional network that I regularly draw upon.
What are you most looking forward to at the 2026 Australia Summit in Melbourne?
I’m looking forward to the conversations around reform and what they mean for the future of the employability sector. I’m particularly interested in discussions about the role employers play in skilling and reskilling the workforce they need, how we better support young people navigating an increasingly complex labour market, and the practical application of skills and competency frameworks. Most of all, I’m looking forward to hearing diverse perspectives on how we can collectively improve outcomes for both jobseekers and employers.
What do you think are the biggest issues facing the employability sector in Australia right now that you’d like to see addressed at this year’s event?
I think one of the biggest opportunities for our sector is strengthening organisational capability – not just setting strategic goals, but translating them into meaningful implementation and better outcomes for jobseekers. While many providers are doing this exceptionally well, others would benefit from revisiting their purpose and ensuring organisational decisions consistently place the participant at the centre.
Organisational compliance is often viewed as a regulatory obligation or a “big stick”, but I see it as one of the sector’s greatest opportunities for improvement. It should help organisations ask difficult questions about whether they are genuinely achieving their purpose, delivering quality services, and continuously improving. Too often, however, there is a greater focus on participant compliance than organisational compliance. We ask whether jobseekers are meeting their obligations, but don’t always apply the same level of scrutiny to whether organisations are delivering services that are effective, person-centred and aligned with the intent of the program. I think that’s a conversation worth having.
I’m encouraged to see reform underway across the sector and I was pleased to see the IEP recently speak out in support of the upcoming reforms. Many of these changes have been prompted by recognised gaps in policy, oversight and program design, and I hope this year’s Summit explores how we can strengthen organisational capability alongside accountability, because ultimately that’s what leads to better outcomes for the people we support.
For someone who’s never been to an IEP Summit before – UK or Australia – what would you tell them to expect?
Expect to be part of the conversation, not just an audience. The Summits bring together people from across the employability sector who are genuinely willing to share ideas, challenge thinking and learn from one another. Whether you’re new to the sector or have years of experience, you’ll leave with fresh perspectives, practical ideas and new professional connections.
If you could give one piece of advice to a first-time attendee of the 2026 Summit, what would it be?
Everyone brings a different perspective, and you’ll get far more out of the experience if you actively engage. The diversity of experience in the room is one of the IEP Summit’s greatest strengths. Hearing from people with different backgrounds, sectors and lived experiences helps challenge our thinking and ensures we don’t become too insular in how we approach employability.
Heading Down Under? Join the Conversation at IEP Summit Australia 2026
Thriving Through Change: Talent, Technology, and the Future Workforce
Thursday 12 November 2026 | The Promenade Docklands, Melbourne | 10:00am – 9:30pm
Building on the success of 2025, this year’s Summit brings together sector leaders, employers and practitioners for a day of honest debate, practical workshops and genuine connection – true to its reputation as an “anti-conference.” Seats are limited and speaker announcements are rolling out soon.
Read more and book your ticket
Save the Date for IEP Summit 2027
Thursday 10 June 2027 | 116 Pall Mall, The Institute of Directors, London
The 8th Annual IEP Summit returns to London, bringing together senior employability professionals from across the sector and around the world for a day of keynotes, networking and shared practice – followed by the IEP Summit Dinner and Professional Excellence Awards. Tickets go on sale Thursday 11 June 2026, with a tiered pricing model rewarding early bookings.