Dr Niall Smith

Head of Research and Workforce Planning

Niall leads the organisation’s workforce planning, research and workforce intelligence functions. He works across industry, government agencies and the vocational education and training (VET) system to identify workforce and skills challenges and translate evidence into practical action. 

Niall oversees Skills Insight’s Workforce Plan, research agenda and data strategy, synthesising industry consultation, labour market data, policy analysis and applied research to identify emerging trends, inform strategic priorities, and support evidence-based decision-making. 

With experience spanning academic research, local government, not-for-profit organisations and the VET sector, Niall has led qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods research projects across a range of social and economic policy areas. 

Niall holds a PhD, Master of Research and Master of Arts in Human Geography. He has also completed professional development through Leadership Victoria’s Leader Evolution program and the Centre for Cultural Competence Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Competence course, and is an Accredited Mental Health First Aider.