AI: White-Collar Recession? Or White-Collar Reinvention?

# AI: White-Collar Recession or White-Collar Reinvention?

After a great first event, we’re back with our second event in The Future of AI (Probably…) series, proudly hosted with our venue partner UTS Startups.

Graduate jobs are shrinking, entry-level pathways are evaporating, and the roles once considered “recession-proof” are suddenly under threat. With industry leaders saying this is the most difficult hiring climate in modern history, and the FT called it "the graduate jobpocalypse", is this the dawn of a white-collar recession, or a chance to reinvent how we all work, train, and build careers?

Join us for panel discussion with industry insiders from the coalface being affected by AI - recruitment, education, and emerging tech. Our panellists will talk about what they are seeing and hearing first-hand, and provide insights as to what we can all do about it...

## Why this event?

These threats to entry-level jobs, some companies risk building diamond-shaped org charts.

We’ll ask:

• Is the white-collar recession already here? How deep could it run?
• What does it mean when firms pause graduate hiring for 2+ years?
• How do we avoid a “missing middle” of mid-career talent in 3–5 years?
• Are micro-credentials, apprenticeships, or short courses the new way forward?

Whether you’re a graduate, a manager, or simply curious, you’ll leave with:
✅ Clearer insights into what the data really says
✅ Fresh perspectives from recruiters, educators, and technologists
✅ Actionable ideas for building resilience in your own career

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## Meet the Panellists

## (we are currently finalising our panel and will update you as soon as we have formal confirmations)

🎙️ [Name TBC] – Headhunter, AI & Emerging Tech
What employers are really doing in the market — and which roles are rising or falling.
🎙️ [Name TBC] – Learning and Development specialist

🎙️ [Name TBC] – Short-Course Provider (AI & Tech)
Which skills are actually in demand — and how we may need to pivot fast.

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## Event Flow

📊 Opening Talk (10 mins): The data on white-collar jobs globally — the signals we just can’t ignore. This will set the framing of the event
🎤 Panel Discussion (40 mins): Industry insiders debate recession vs. reinvention.
❓ Audience Q&A (15 mins): Your chance to test the experts with your hardest questions!
🍻 Networking afterwards: The best career advice so often happens over a drink. There'll be plenty of opportunity to network before and after the event - especially when we adjourn to the local pub for further discovery.

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## Why Attend?

Expect a candid, thought-provoking conversation with people who:

• See shifts in hiring and training before they hit the headlines
• Work daily with employers, graduates, and those adapting to change
• Have real stories about what works — and what doesn’t!
• Giving you ideas to build resilience against disruption
• Even exploring entrepreneurship

Bring your questions. Bring your curiosity. And maybe bring your CV.

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📍 Hosted by UTS Startups in the heart of Sydney’s innovation district, seats are limited, so, reserve your spot now.

We can’t wait to see you again in person (and yes, we’ll still pretend we’ve read the manuals).

Tim & Erick
Organisers