National Skills Week (25–31 August 2025) is here—a celebration of vocational education and training (VET) and the many pathways it creates for Australians to succeed.
This year’s theme, “Explore ALL the Options”, is a reminder that education isn’t one-size-fits-all.
Whether you’re entering the workforce, upskilling, or changing careers, there are flexible ways to get recognition for the skills you already have and to build the ones you need next.
One of those pathways is Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). RPL allows your existing workplace experience, training, and knowledge to be formally recognised as nationally accredited qualifications.
It’s about valuing the skills you’ve already earned on the job—without having to start from scratch. For many, RPL is the bridge between today’s skills and tomorrow’s opportunities.
To mark National Skills Week, we asked our team: What skill sets people up best for the future?
Team Picks: Timeless & Light-Hearted
RPL Assessor, Jacob Galway, highlighted two complementary skills:
Adaptability: Embrace change—it’s the only constant in work and life.
Relationship building: A strong network opens doors faster than cold job applications—and helps you stay ahead, especially in fast-moving sectors like VET.
Career & Education Advisor, Sarah Tom values being open to asking questions across all experience levels.
Whether you’re a seasoned expert or new to the role, curiosity keeps learning alive.
And for a laugh: “If you carry a hi-vis vest and a ladder, you can get in anywhere.” 😉
Career & Education Advisor, Amanda Smith, echoes Jacob’s point on adaptability, emphasizing the importance of tuning in—listening to people and context lets you pivot smarter.
She also champions curiosity, albeit with a wink: ask “why?”—just not so often you get uninvited from meetings!
Trending 2025 Skills to Add to the List
Alongside our team’s insights, here are the global skills employers are valuing most in 2025:
Analytical & creative thinking – problem-solving paired with imagination.
AI literacy & digital fluency – not just for IT roles; being confident with AI tools is now career currency.
Resilience & adaptability – the ability to unlearn, relearn, and keep momentum in times of change.
Emotional intelligence – empathy, ethical judgment, and collaboration remain human strengths machines can’t replace.
Practical technical skills – cybersecurity, cloud computing, AI engineering, and data analytics are in demand, with many accessible through VET pathways.
Where RPL Fits In
In a world where skills evolve quickly, pathways like RPL are more important than ever.
If you’ve already built adaptability, leadership, technical expertise—or even the soft skills employers now prize—RPL can translate those into formal qualifications.
That recognition doesn’t just open doors to new roles and promotions—it validates the years of hard work that got you here.
Better still, it positions you to upskill faster, adding new capabilities on top of an already solid foundation.
For example:
- A project manager who’s mastered adaptability and leadership can achieve BSB50820 Diploma of Project Management through RPL.
- A safety officer who’s sharpened their questioning skills can step into higher WHS qualifications.
- A manager who’s built strong relationship-building and communication skills can have them recognised in Leadership and Management qualifications.
Final Thought
This National Skills Week, we celebrate not just the skills shaping our future—but the many pathways to recognition.
Whether through formal study, hands-on training, or Recognition of Prior Learning, what matters most is continuing to grow.
Adaptability, curiosity, relationship building, and the technical know-how to harness new tools all play their part.
But when you combine those skills with pathways like RPL, you’re not just ready for change—you’re ready to lead it.
Find out what you’re eligible with a free RPL appraisal. Apply here, or below.
