Aren’t you fascinated by the human mind? With its 100 billion neurons and trillions of connections, our brain is constantly trying to make sense of the world around us. But when it comes to learning, it’s not just about content or colourful delivery — it’s also about context. In this episode, we explore Pen Principle 5: Leveraging Context, and uncover how the environment — both physical and psychological — impacts learning and memory. From temperature, lighting and noise to relationships, stress, and even the instructor’s tone, every detail can influence how well knowledge sticks. Discover how context-dependent and context-independent learning affect performance, why learners often recall better in familiar environments, and what trainers can do to help students thrive in any setting. Join us for a deep dive into neuroscience, motivation, and practical design tips for creating powerful, context-rich learning experiences.

Marc and I share Ian interesting discussion on designing learning for impact and engagement. The type of learning that leads to real outcomes in real workplaces. Enjoy this session!

I chat with Julian Davis, the digital learning guy, about the fascinating technology of xAPI. How we can use I to track learner's interactions and progress outside of the typical LMS functionality. Enjoy the chat! I certainly did.

In today’s episode, we explore the fascinating science of conceptual and perceptual priming—two powerful ways our brains prepare us to learn, decide, and act. Conceptual priming happens when exposure to a particular idea makes related concepts easier to recall. For example, thinking about “safety” can prime thoughts of “security” or “trust.” Perceptual priming, on the other hand, works through our senses—subtle visual or auditory cues that shape how we interpret what comes next. Together, these forms of priming influence memory, retention, and behaviour, offering trainers and educators valuable tools to create more effective learning environments. Video link is here: https://youtu.be/VjfHw-jzBLs

In this episode of the Vocational Education Podcast, we dive into the power of interleaving as a learning strategy. Unlike traditional blocked practice—where learners focus on one topic or skill at a time—interleaving mixes different but related topics or skills within the same study session. Research shows this approach significantly boosts retention and recall, as the brain is forced to constantly retrieve and distinguish between concepts. For vocational learners, this means stronger problem-solving skills and a deeper ability to transfer knowledge to real-world tasks. We’ll explore how interleaving challenges the brain in positive ways, strengthens long-term memory, and prevents the “illusion of mastery” that often comes with rote repetition. You’ll hear practical ways trainers and assessors can embed interleaving into their delivery and assessment design, ensuring learners are better prepared for the workplace and more confident in applying their skills. Here's a link to the original video: https://youtu.be/oNtT00YCu2U

Making mistakes isn't the end of the world - in fact, it can improve how well you learn something. Other than the research from the original video linked here: https://youtu.be/RDa777HDWTo Here are the other tow pieces mentioned at the end: https://shorturl.at/TDmK6 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0361476X2500044X?

Discover the PEN principles all over again with this new series - we're kicking off with this program about the benefits of active recall for knowledge and skills retention - so strap in and enjoy! Here's a link to the original video https://youtu.be/CkKXdft5qeE

On this episode we talk to Marc Miles about his new Facilitation Mastery Workshop, with some great value thrown in about further workshops in 2026!

In today’s discussion, we’re opening up the complex and often misunderstood world of the business of vocational education, and the ominous signs and trends that can’t be ignored if the sector wants to continue to stay relevant and important in coming decades. This isn’t a hit piece on the sector or even on individual business owners trying to make a buck from educating others. Quite the contrary. I wanted to explore my own history in the sector, and that of others I know or have worked with, and how we’ve all dealt with the changes to date, and what risks and likely outcomes await us. In doing so, I hope to arrive at a few truths that can help you to pick the good opportunities from the bad and make decisions about your own future in the sector with your eyes wide open to the influences that have direct and indirect impacts. The global AI arms race is already being played out with even the early inventors of the technology collectively warning against the potential uncontrollable outcome with few upsides for individuals. But play out it will, and sideline observers we will become. I have mentioned in the past that there may be a point where those undertaking an education say enough is enough, and push back on the automation of everything to once again re-introduce real human interactions and feedback from experienced trainers and facilitators. We’re still a while away from that point in my opinion. Largely due, ironically, in the government’s slow reaction to providing legislative regulation to the tech industry. And also the generational influence of current trainers and assessors in the sector of whom there are a majority of generation X and millennials making up this cohort – thus still not what we’d readily classify as digital natives. It's indeed an exciting and terrifying time to be a vocational educator. Digital literacy is no longer a nice to have, and political muteness isn’t an option if you want the sector to be unbiased, fair and level. Find your voice, decide on your personal learning journey, and let’s all see where it takes us. Because trends don’t determine the future. Our actions are what determines that.

Interviews and news from the VET industry

Think you’re just a boss? Nah, you could be a mentor—and it might just change your team, your career, and even your bottom line. Let’s unpack why, with some important stats, real stories, and takeaways you can use tomorrow. Let’s take a look. First off, mentoring isn’t just warm fuzzies—it’s can be a game-changer for all those involved. Research says mentees get promoted five times more often than those without mentors, and retention jumps by 22%. That’s from McCarthy Mentoring’s 2017 study, and it’s not just relevant, but growing in importance in in 2025. Imagine keeping your best people longer and seeing them climb the ladder—all because you took time to guide them. That’s power! Here in Australia, COX Architecture saw this firsthand. After growing fast, their Sydney team—500 strong—used mentoring to tighten bonds and set sharper goals. Staff started to redefine and focus on their career paths, and the resulting morale? Unbeatable. Check it out on Parlour’s site if you’re curious. I’ll include the links on the blog I’ve connected to this podcast. Now, let’s talk diversity. Mentoring lifts everyone. Cornell University found it boosts minority leadership roles by up to 24%. In Aussie terms, look at the Australian Business and Community Network—ABCN. They went digital with Accenture in 2020, mentoring disadvantaged kids, including Indigenous communities. Result? 42% felt more confident about their future. That’s not just feel-good—it’s building a pipeline of diverse talent. As a manager, you could do that too! Okay, here’s a stat to chew on: 71% of Fortune 500 companies run mentoring programs. It’s not a trend—it’s a standard. Down under, AusIMM’s 2024 program hooked up over 100 mining pros. Mentors reported a 20% jump in job satisfaction—proof you don’t just help others, you grow too. And get this: Cox Automotive saved over $3 million in turnover costs since 2017 with mentoring. That’s cash you could keep in your budget! So, real-world wins? Plenty. Avison Young pushed women into leadership with mentoring—diversity ticked up fast. Vertex Pharmaceuticals went global, mixing reverse mentoring with peer circles—genius for multigenerational teams. And Paychex? Their high-potential women hit 94% retention. These aren’t flukes; they’re proof mentoring works. Locally, ABCN’s online shift delivered 179 sessions in a year—regional kids got a leg up. That’s mentoring breaking barriers, right here in Oz. Takeaways time! One: mentoring keeps talent and cuts costs—think millions, not pennies. Two: it’s your diversity secret weapon—lift up underrepresented voices. Three: you’ll grow as a leader—satisfaction and skills, sorted. How do you start? Assess your team’s needs, pair people smartly, and track the wins—engagement, retention, you name it.

Interviews and news from the VET industry

Interviews and news from the VET industry

Interviews and news from the VET industry. I take a deep dive into 'accredited courses' and the legitimacy of those courses.

Ready to end your training session with a bang? In the world of learning and development, a memorable close can make all the difference. This blog dives into fun, practical ways to wrap up vocational training sessions—think Recap Raps, action plan pow-wows, and gamified goodbyes. Tailored for Aussie L&D pros, it’s packed with tips to leave participants energised and equipped. Discover how to turn your finale into a skill-sticking, morale-boosting masterpiece!

VEPodast Episode #83 Future uses of AI in L&D by SpecTraining

Marc and I chat about some of the new apps and applications of AI in developing learning content.

Ready to be BLOWN AWAY! - I just dragged our Diploma of vocational education and training course brochure into Google's new 'NotebookLM' - and it created this conversational podcast... seriously amazing! I want to hear the next episode!! Imagine what you can do with this tool for students everywhere? You could use your lesson plan to create a 10 minute podcast as an overview of your topics... you could use the notes functions to allow students to summarise key points from your sessions, and much more! A great tool for education as it blends the neuroscience concepts of repetition and story-telling into one output that's easily digestible.

It's obviously time to discuss something that’s at the cutting edge of learning and development. Your friend and mine, generative AI. Now, I know we’ve all heard the buzz around AI, but I want to dig into how this tech is reshaping education and learning, backed by the latest research and information shared at the numerous seminars and webinars published in the last few months.

Here are a few simple ways to improve the way you DO empathy, rather than just being empathetic. And, why it's so important for trainers and educators.