2023 AEN Mid-Year Conference

Speakers for this event

• Andrew Robson

  Andrew Robson

  AATIS

  Apprenticeships Information and Data Manager, AATIS

  With over 17 years’
  experience in the VET and Australian Apprenticeships industry, I am passionate
  about working with stakeholders to provide relevant and accurate information
  that meets their needs. As the Data and Accounts Manager at AATIS, my role
  includes creating data-based reports including the Australian Apprenticeships
  Summary Statistics and Qualifications Update reports, and managing technical
  information and user accounts on the AAPathways website.

  AATIS

• Chris Ingham

  Chris Ingham

  VRQA

  Deputy CEO, Training and Skills, VRQA

  Chris Ingham is Deputy CEO, Training and Skills at Victorian
  Registration and Qualifications Authority, Victoria’s education sector regulator.
  

  Since joining the VRQA in 2012, Chris’ regulatory
  responsibilities have covered the apprenticeship and traineeship sector,
  schools, registered training organisations, child safe standards, and home
  schooling. 

  Chris is currently the Delegate under the Education and Training
  Reform Act 2006 (‘the Act’), responsible for apprenticeship and traineeship
  regulation and regulation of some registered training organisations. Chris also
  manages the VRQA’s communications.

  Although group training is not specifically referenced in the
  Act, Chris also looks after group training registration and assessment against
  the national standards.

  Before life as a regulator, Chris was a policy executive in
  the (former) Department of Education and Training, covering vocational
  education and training and youth transitions. Chris also spent three years at
  the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Canberra, covering education,
  immigration, border protection and multiculturalism.  He is an ANZSOG (Australia and New Zealand School of
  Government) Executive Fellow (2016).

  Chris enjoys
  writing in his spare time and has released 6 self-published novels on Amazon.

  VRQA

• Craig Robertson

  Craig Robertson

  Victorian Skills Authority

  Chief Executive Officer

  Craig Robertson commenced as CEO of the Victorian Skills
  Authority in August 2021.  The authority
  is tasked by the Victorian Government to plan for post school education and
  training to help the economy recover from the pandemic and build up industry skills
  and support more Victorians into mainstream participation in work, further
  education and enterprise.

  Prior to this role Craig was the CEO of TAFE Directors
  Australia from April 2017, representing TAFEs Australia-wide.

  In 2015 and 2016 he was Deputy Secretary in the Department
  of Education and Training in Victoria and prior to that he had over thirty
  years in various roles in the Commonwealth Government, focused on schools
  funding, employment services and vocational education and training.

  Craig holds an Executive Masters in Public Administration
  and Bachelor of Education (Primary).

  Victorian Skills Authority

• David Barron

  David Barron

  Apprenticeships Victoria, Training, Skills and Higher Education, Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry & Regions

  Acting Executive Director

  Apprenticeships Victoria, Training, Skills and Higher Education, Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry & Regions

• David Tate

  David Tate

  AiGroup Apprentice and Trainee Centre

  Project Manager – Vic Manufacturing Skills Project

  David
  completed an Electrical Fitting apprenticeship with Ansett Airlines before
  further study led him to become a Senior Avionics Technician.  He spent a season playing professional
  cricket in England before returning to Ansett.

  David worked
  ‘on the tools’ as a technician for 15 year and then transitioned to an Initial
  Provision Assessor at Ansett, which is a fancy title for technical
  purchasing.  After Ansett collapsed on
  13th September 2001, he held a variety of casual employment and then internal
  and external sales roles.

   

  In 2003 David
  started work as an Employment & Training Consultant with Ai Group and has
  held a variety of roles at Ai Group including ETC, Area Manager (Ballarat),
  Business Development, State Manager – Southern Region and now Project Manager
  of the Victorian Manufacturing Skills Project.

  AiGroup Apprentice and Trainee Centre

• Dean Arundell

  Dean Arundell

  Plumbing Apprenticeships Victoria

  Manger

  With a background in management and finance, Dean has worked in
  the educational and training industry for over 25 years.

  He has secured and managed in excess of $80m worth of projects
  over the journey and will be giving the audience an insight into the Woman in
  Plumbing program that has been run by the Master Plumbers.

  Plumbing Apprenticeships Victoria

• Dean Luciani

  Dean Luciani

  AEN Board Chair

  AEN Board Chair

• Dee Keca

  Dee Keca

  AGA

  GTO Senior Manager

  As the AGA GTO Senior Manager, Dee is responsible for the
  strategic and operational oversight of the Group Training Organisation (GTO),
  including the Business Development, Risk and Recruitment teams. She is
  responsible for ensuring risks are managed and mitigated, growth and
  profitability is achieved under a strong quality, outcomes focused framework,
  while creating a positive experience for all stakeholders. 

  Having worked
  in the building and construction industry for years prior to joining AGA, Dee
  brings a level of expertise in Sales and Marketing, specifically focusing on
  diversifying the business operations, creating a more sustainable business
  which preserves the foundations of quality in service delivery.  Dee is committed to supporting people into employment
  pathways and ensuring inclusion and equal opportunities are always front of
  mind, both within her internal team and external employment opportunities for
  apprentices and trainees through the GTO.

  AGA

• Fiona Sergi

  Fiona Sergi

  Manager, Social Procurement Capability, Department of Government Services

  Fiona is currently part of the leadership team
  responsible for implementing the Victorian government’s Social Procurement
  Framework and Building Equality Policy. For nearly 10 years, her knowledge and
  expertise on social and sustainable procurement has contributed to improved
  supplier diversity, inclusive employment, and environmental outcomes across
  government projects.

  Manager, Social Procurement Capability, Department of Government Services

• Gary Workman

  Gary Workman

  Executive Director

  Apprenticeship Employment Network

  Gary assumed the role in 2009 and leads AEN and its members on public policy and research activities, including overseeing relationships with a wide range of industry and government stakeholders.

  Gary brings over 20 years experience in the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector, and has worked on numerous government and industry projects including the areas of workforce development, apprenticeships, OH&S and the environment.

  He is a member of the Victorian Governments Apprenticeship Taskforce through the Victorian Skills Commission Office since 2016.

  Gary is also an ambassador for the Bullyzero Australia Foundation which supports the awareness of workplace bullying and mental health issues.

  Executive Director

• Harriet Henry

  Harriet Henry

  Essential Media

  Research Management

  Harriet is a qualitative researcher who has over 7 years of
  experience working in both the corporate and not-for-profit sectors. Prior to
  joining Essential, Harriet worked in research agencies and strategic
  consultancies based in London and brings experience of insight, foresight,
  facilitation and engagement.

  An experienced moderator & facilitator, Harriet pairs
  her skills with a deep commitment to co-designing fairer, better and more
  sustainable outcomes with those with lived experience.  Most recently, she has delivered research
  across a number of sectors for organisations such as the Climate Council,
  Greenpeace and the University of Sydney.

  Essential Media

• Janet Lui

  Janet Lui

  DEWR

  State Manager, Victoria Office, Workforce Australia Provider Division

  Janet
  Lui is an Assistant Secretary, State Manager at Department of Employment and
  Workplace Relations (DEWR), tasked with the role of leading the Victoria office
  to oversee the service delivery of skills and employment programs by provider
  organisations to support Australian apprentices and trainees and participants
  that are looking for secure employment. She engages and partners with
  stakeholders across Victoria to address skills shortages and workforce needs in
  Victoria including all levels of government, industry peaks and employers,
  not-for-profits, and social enterprises.

   

  With
  over a decade of experience within the Department, Janet’s expertise in skills
  and employment programs has aided the Local Recovery Fund program, creating new
  training, pre-employment, and employment opportunities for Workforce Australia
  participants in Victoria. Janet has been recognised for her exemplary service
  by the Department’s Secretary for her contributions to procurement and
  contracting of Workforce Australia services. Janet remains dedicated to
  uplifting staff by fostering a diverse, inclusive work culture and serves as
  DEWR’s Co-Champion of the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Network,
  and the Australian Public Service Senior Executive Staff Interagency CALD
  Champion Network.

  DEWR

• Janet Nicolson

  Janet Nicolson

  WorkSight

  Director

  WorkSight

• Jarrod Cartwright

  Jarrod Cartwright

  Apprenticeship Support Australia

  Manager, Contract Operations (VIC)

  Jarrod has
  worked with Apprenticeship Support Australia for over 15 years across various
  field, compliance and operational leadership roles. For the last seven years,
  Jarrod has been in the role of Manager, Contract Operations which oversee the
  compliance and contract management of Apprenticeship Support Australia’s
  Victorian operations as well as the management across the client services
  centre which includes claims and contract processing.

   

  Jarrod’s
  experience includes working within field operations and support services across
  both Metro Melbourne and the regional network, together with business
  development and management of key national accounts.

  Apprenticeship Support Australia

• Kirsty Harcourt-Cooke

  Kirsty Harcourt-Cooke

  Department of Education

  Project Director, Delivery, Senior Secondary Pathways Reform Taskforce

  Kirsty has 10 years in the Victorian government
  where her expertise and leadership have shaped policies and initiatives
  impacting the training and skills landscape in Victoria. Kirsty is currently
  the Director, Delivery in the Senior Secondary Pathways Reform Taskforce at the
  Department of Education. Leading work on developing the Vocational and Applied
  Learning Workforce, as well as the expansion of Head Start, the wrap around
  support for all government School-based apprentices.

   

  Department of Education

• Lisa Fowkes

  Lisa Fowkes

  SVA

  Director, Employment Programs, SVA

  Lisa has led SVA’s Employment work for the last 4 years. This
  work aims to contribute to system change by generating new ideas and insights
  as well as improving the effectiveness of existing approaches. A key focus is on
  improving career paths for young people facing disadvantage by working in
  partnership with young people, employers and community organisations. The
  Employer Innovation Lab is the most recent example, assisting medium-large
  employers to design and implement practical initiatives within their
  organisations. 

  Lisa has spent nearly 2 decades as a practitioner, researcher
  and policy advocate in the area of ‘welfare to work’. For nearly ten years she
  worked in senior roles at a large national non-profit employment services
  provider, for three and a half years as its CEO. This included working with
  local community based organisations across the country to improve their
  capacity to support long term unemployed people into work. She has managed
  large scale programs for young people, for people with disabilities,
  ex-offenders and for those seeking apprenticeships. 

  SVA

• Melanie Croke

  Melanie Croke

  Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions, Victoria State Government

  Director, Workforce Delivery

  Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions, Victoria State Government

• Peter Lewis

  Peter Lewis

  Essential Media

  Executive Director

  Peter Lewis is
  executive director of the progressive strategic communications agency Essential
  Media, the founder of the collaborative engagement
  platform Civility and a fellow with the Australia
  Institute’s Centre for Responsible Technology. For more than two
  decades he was worked with progressive organisations including unions, NGOs,
  not-for-profits and responsible businesses to affect progressive social change.
   

  He is a regular columnist with Guardian Australian and Fairfax newspapers
  as well as the author of five books including Webtopia and The Public Square
  Project.

  Essential Media

• Peter Treseder

  Peter Treseder

  Education Manager

  Education Manager

• Rod McLellan

  Rod McLellan

  Development Victoria

  Project Director, Advisory Services

  Rod is leading delivery of government’s employment and
  social policies through Development Victoria’s procurement of the 2026
  Commonwealth Games major venues and villages. He’s worked as an activist,
  regulator and project manager in the private, community and government sectors.
  He’s enjoying getting people involved and employed!

  Development Victoria

• Stacey Fedden

  Stacey Fedden

  NECA Education and Careers

  Projects and Workforce Developments

  Stacey is a seasoned professional with over 13 years of experience
  at NECA Education and Careers. She has a proven track record of success and
  extensive expertise across multiple areas of the business, including talent
  acquisition, industry consultancy, project management, strategy and workforce
  development, diversity and inclusion, systems and reporting.

  Throughout her tenure at NECA Education and Careers, Stacey has
  demonstrated her commitment to empowering women in the trades. As the lead on
  the Apprenticeships Victoria funded Women and Their Trade Program, she has been
  instrumental in creating pathways for female apprentices to enter and thrive in
  the industry. Her work on this program has been critical in promoting and
  increasing diversity within the organisation.

  In addition to her efforts to encourage diversity, Stacey has also
  played a vital role in various Big Build related projects. Her strategic
  mindset and expert project management skills have helped ensure the success of
  complex initiatives.

  Stacey’s reputation as a results-driven leader and passionate
  advocate for diversity make her a valuable asset to NECA Education and Careers.
  Her contributions and expertise have been integral to the growth and success of
  the organisation and Electrical Industry.

  NECA Education and Careers

• Steve Dargavel

  Steve Dargavel

  Labour Hire Licensing Commissioner

  Steve leads the work of
  Victoria’s Labour Hire Authority (LHA), protecting workers from exploitation
  and improving the integrity and transparency of the labour hire industry.

  Since being appointed as
  Labour Hire Licensing Commissioner in 2018, Steve has established the
  regulator, brought over 5,000 labour hire providers into the scheme, and driven
  an extensive program of licensing, compliance and enforcement work.

  Steve has devoted his career
  to protecting the rights of vulnerable workers. Having started his career as a
  youth worker, Steve moved into various roles with the Australian Manufacturing
  Workers Union (AMWU) including that of State Secretary.

  Steve progressed key reforms including
  the Fair Entitlements Guarantee and improvements to government procurement arrangements
  and has worked with diverse stakeholders across government and the private
  sector. Steve has served on several boards in his career, including the
  Industry Capability Network and CoInvest.

  Labour Hire Licensing Commissioner

• The Hon. Gayle Tierney

  The Hon. Gayle Tierney

  Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education, Minister for Agriculture

  Gayle understands the importance of communities and has
  dedicated her professional life to enhancing opportunities of the people she
  represents and works with. A constant is the importance she has placed on
  education, which is integral to thriving communities and economies. She is
  passionate about equality and creating opportunities for all members of society
  and is focused on building opportunities for women and culturally and
  linguistically diverse Victorians. These values underpinned her commitment to
  become a Member of Parliament.

  As the Member for Western Victoria she is dedicated to the
  quality provision of health, education, infrastructure and community services.
  She understands the unique qualities of the region and is committed to
  enhancing employment opportunities and collaborating with industry, and
  ensuring the government has a regional focus.

  Her policy priorities are the provision of excellence in
  education, training and skills, regional infrastructure. employment, economic
  growth and sustainability, gender equality, social inclusion and environmental
  sustainability.

  Before entering Parliament, between 1989 to 2006, Gayle was
  the first female State Secretary of the Vehicle Division of the Australian
  Manufacturing Workers Union, and also the Federal President. During this period
  she was also an Executive member of the Australian Council of Trade Unions.

  Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education, Minister for Agriculture