Muswellbrook event to put workforce and transition data at the centre of regional planning
A Muswellbrook industry open day will bring together councils, researchers and businesses, with a detailed Upper Hunter economic and workforce lens shaping conversations about collaboration, capability and regional delivery.
A University of Newcastle Hunter Industry Open Day scheduled for 6 May in Muswellbrook will place the Upper Hunter at the centre of discussions on regional development, with a dedicated insights session examining economic conditions, workforce change and emerging opportunities.
The session, delivered by the Institute for Regional Futures and the Hunter Medical Research Institute, will draw on national and regional datasets to provide an update on March 2026 conditions while narrowing the focus to the Upper Hunter. According to the Institute for Regional Futures, the intent is to look beneath headline indicators to identify pressure points and areas where new opportunities may develop across industry transition and regional resilience.
Event structured around connection and application
The open day is positioned as a working forum rather than a presentation-led event, bringing together industry, researchers and community leaders to move from insight to application within the same setting.
The Institute for Regional Futures described the purpose of the day as creating a setting where conversations translate into practical outcomes, stating, “That’s the point of the day, not just to listen but to connect, to challenge assumptions, to find the people you didn’t know you needed to meet.”
Attendees will move between formal sessions and networking opportunities, including a research and innovation expo running alongside the program and a dedicated networking lunch.
Regional leadership and industry voices
The agenda opens with a mayoral panel featuring Muswellbrook Shire and Singleton Council representatives, setting a local government perspective on regional priorities.
A separate panel, titled ‘Future Made’, brings together representatives from industry and research to discuss planning and investment across the Hunter. Speakers include participants from AGL’s Energy Hubs program, HunterNet, Ethtec, Tiliter Technology and the University of Newcastle.
This mix of contributors reflects a focus on how research capability and industry delivery intersect, particularly in sectors undergoing transition.
Workforce and capability development in focus
Professional development workshops form part of the program, covering cultural capability, generative AI applications and workforce attraction. These sessions are designed to provide practical tools for organisations seeking to build capability alongside broader regional shifts.
The event also includes opportunities to connect with students and emerging talent, with a focus on early engagement between industry and the university pipeline.
Expo and collaboration pathways
A research, teaching and innovation expo will run throughout the day, allowing attendees to engage directly with university researchers and educators. The format is intended to support collaboration pathways, including applied research partnerships and workforce development initiatives.
Registration for the event closes on 21 April 2026, with capacity limits in place.
The Muswellbrook setting and Upper Hunter focus position the event within a part of the region where energy, resources and associated industries are actively navigating change, with the day structured to link data insights to the businesses and organisations expected to deliver that transition on the ground.
