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

  A/Deputy CEO, Training and Skills

  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

• Dean Luciani

  Dean Luciani

  AEN Board Chair

  AEN Board Chair

• Dr Peta Skujins

  Dr Peta Skujins

  Director, AATIS

  Australian Apprenticeships and Traineeships Information Services (AATIS)

  Director, AATIS

• Fiona Sergi

  Fiona Sergi

  Senior Manager, Social Procurement Capability, Department of Government Services

  Senior Manager, Social Procurement Capability, Department of Government Services

• Gary Workman

  Gary Workman

  Executive Director, AEN

  Apprenticeship Employment Network

  Executive Director, AEN

• Janet Lui

  Janet Lui

  DEWR

  State Manager, Victoria Office, Workforce Australia Provider Division

  DEWR

• Janet Nicolson

  Janet Nicolson

  WorkSight

  Director

  WorkSight

• Jarrod Cartwright

  Jarrod Cartwright

  Apprenticeship Support Australia

  Manager, Contract Operations (VIC)

  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 Buckingham

  Lisa Buckingham

  Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions, Victoria State Government

  Chief Executive Officer

  Lisa
  Buckingham is the Deputy Secretary, Employment and Small Business Group, which
  is part of the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions.  The ESB Group brings together Jobs Victoria,
  Small Business Victoria, Employment Policy and Strategy, and Business
  Operations and Digital Services.

  Lisa was appointed General Manager of Working
  for Victoria in March 2020 – a $500m job creation fund established to support
  Victorians who lost their jobs, including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  In February 2021 she was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Jobs Victoria,
  and became Deputy Secretary Jobs Victoria, Secure Work and Inclusion in
  February 2022.  Lisa
  was also the inaugural CEO for Jobsbank, a not-for-profit organisation
  established in 2019 to support inclusive employment practices in Victoria.

  Lisa
  has more than 20 years’ experience across the Victorian and Commonwealth Public
  Services in a range of sectors including defence and national security,
  industrial relations, human services, health, and public sector and place-based
  reform.

  Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions, Victoria State Government

• Minister Gayle Tierney

  Minister Gayle Tierney

  Minister for Training and Skills

  Minister for Training and Skills

• Peter Treseder

  Peter Treseder

  Australian Super

  MC, Education Manager, Membership and Brand

  Australian Super

• Rod McLellan

  Rod McLellan

  Development Victoria

  Project Director, Advisory Services

  Development Victoria

• Steve Dargavel

  Steve Dargavel

  Labour Hire Commissioner

  Labour Hire Commissioner

• The Hon. Gayle Tierney

  The Hon. Gayle Tierney

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