Inclusive Workforce Strategies: Lessons from Sport for Northern Australia
Tracks
Trinity Room
| Wednesday, July 23, 2025 |
| 1:35 PM - 1:55 PM |
| Trinity Room |
Overview
Matthew Levy OAM
Speaker
Matthew Levy
Author
Matthew Levy OAM
Inclusive Workforce Strategies: Lessons from Sport for Northern Australia
Presentation Overview
Creating an inclusive and diverse workforce is essential for Northern Australia’s future. This panel will explore how strategies from sport can help shape sustainable employment opportunities, focusing on resilience, leadership, and capability development.
Drawing from his experience as a Paralympian, governance advisor, and employment advocate, Matt Levy OAM will highlight how inclusive policies can drive workforce participation and economic growth. He will share lessons from developing classification frameworks, policy reforms, and workforce transition programs that have successfully integrated people with disabilities into employment.
The discussion will cover strategies to address workforce shortages through skills-based hiring, targeted training programs, and employer engagement. It will also explore how adaptive leadership, developed through sport, can support a workforce that is agile, diverse, and ready for future challenges.
This panel will provide practical solutions for businesses, policymakers, and community leaders looking to create sustainable employment pathways. Attendees will gain insights into how inclusion-focused workforce strategies can not only meet labour market demands but also contribute to stronger and more resilient communities in Northern Australia.
Drawing from his experience as a Paralympian, governance advisor, and employment advocate, Matt Levy OAM will highlight how inclusive policies can drive workforce participation and economic growth. He will share lessons from developing classification frameworks, policy reforms, and workforce transition programs that have successfully integrated people with disabilities into employment.
The discussion will cover strategies to address workforce shortages through skills-based hiring, targeted training programs, and employer engagement. It will also explore how adaptive leadership, developed through sport, can support a workforce that is agile, diverse, and ready for future challenges.
This panel will provide practical solutions for businesses, policymakers, and community leaders looking to create sustainable employment pathways. Attendees will gain insights into how inclusion-focused workforce strategies can not only meet labour market demands but also contribute to stronger and more resilient communities in Northern Australia.
Biography
Matt Levy OAM is a distinguished Australian Paralympian, author, and advocate for disability inclusion. Born prematurely at 25 weeks, Matt was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and severe visual impairment, leading to over 40 surgeries on vital organs. Despite these challenges, he has excelled in swimming, representing Australia in five consecutive Paralympic Games from 2004 to 2020, securing three gold, one silver, and six bronze medals.
Beyond his athletic achievements, Matt holds a bachelor of business from Swinburne University of Technology and a master of business administration from the University of Canberra. He has also authored several books.
