Investing in Human Capital: Building a Future-Ready Workforce
A key session at the ISIA Annual Congress 2026 focused on the importance of investing in human capital to build a workforce capable of responding to changing economic and professional demands.
Speaking on “Investing in Human Capital: Building a Future-Ready Workforce,” Professor Philomena Leung highlighted the significant skills shortages being experienced across a wide range of industries in the post-COVID environment, including challenges faced by the accounting profession in attracting new members.
Professor Leung identified two key forms of skills shortages: the physical shortage of qualified people to fill available positions, and the growing number of qualified people who may still lack the skills required to perform effectively in the workplace.
She noted that addressing these challenges requires a combination of skills mobility and training. This includes the movement of people and skills where they are needed, as well as initial professional development, continuing learning and upskilling to ensure workers remain equipped for changing workplace requirements.
The session highlighted the importance of looking beyond formal qualifications and recognizing the need for professionals to continually develop their capabilities throughout their careers.
Professor Leung is Professor Emerita at Macquarie University and Group Executive Education at the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA). She has held several senior professional roles in Australian higher education programmes, with experience spanning areas including internal audit and risk, cybersecurity, accounting and finance.
Her professional work has also included the development of the Global Certificate of Public Accounting (GCPA) programme and supporting public sector capacity-building initiatives in Solomon Islands, including the development of a global competency framework for public sector procurement applicable to Solomon Islands.
The session reinforced a central message of the Congress theme: building a future-ready workforce requires more than qualifications. It requires continuous learning, adaptable skills, professional mobility and a commitment to developing the capabilities needed for the future.