Professor of Education, School of Education, Federation University
Professor Erica Smith is Professor of Education in the School of Education at Federation University and leader of the Researching Adult and Vocational Education (RAVE) group. Professor Smith’s specialisation is vocational education and training (VET). Erica is Australia’s foremost apprenticeship researcher, and an internationally-recognised expert on VET teachers, their work and qualifications. Other areas of expertise include VET policy, training in workplaces, competency-based training, and the school-to-work transition.

Erica is co-chair of the International Network on Innovative Apprenticeship (INAP). She leads a VET teacher-education program and convenes the Australian Council of Deans of Education Vocational Education Group. She is an appointed member of the Australian Government’s Education Industry Reference Group.

Erica makes many invited contributions to Commonwealth and State government policy and practice in her areas of expertise, and has advised governments in several other countries. She has managed over 30 national and international research projects, and is an invited speaker at events around the world.