MEDIA STATEMENT: Revamped TAFE Queensland Board to tackle Labor’s skills mess

Published Yesterday at 01:47 PM

Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training
The Honourable Ros Bates

Revamped TAFE Queensland Board to tackle Labor’s skills mess 

  • New Board to ensure TAFE Queensland delivers the skills desperately needed to fix Labor’s skills shortage.
  • Former Chief Financial Officer of Devine Limited, Mr Vivian Grayson, appointed as new Chair of the Board.
  • Seven new Board members bring diverse expertise and deep industry insights to TAFE leadership.  
  • TAFE Queensland remains the largest training provider in Queensland, delivering industry-relevant training across more than 60 locations. 

The Crisafulli Government has revamped the TAFE Queensland Board to deliver on plans to solve the State’s skills shortage left by the former Labor Government.   

Mr Vivian Grayson has been appointed as the new Chair of the Board, and brings extensive commercial, governance, finance and management expertise to his role in leading the nine-member Board.  

Mr Grayson is the former Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary of Devine Limited and previously served as Chair of the SSKB Advisory Board, one of Australia’s largest body corporate management firms.  

The Crisafulli Government has appointed an additional six new members to the Board, who bring together industry knowledge across health, education, Vocational Educational Training, property, construction and trades. 

Continuing members Prof Jody Currie and Ms Nicole Brigg will provide continuity and support for the Board’s refreshed vision.   

Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training Ros Bates said the Board changes were a significant moment for the future of TAFE Queensland. 

“This move sets the bedrock for TAFE Queensland to be a secure and well-performing entity,” said Minister Bates. 

“The pipeline providing skilled workers in Queensland has been choked for too long by Labor’s lack of respect for the value of skills training and lack of respect for taxpayers’ money.”    

The Crisafulli Government is also undertaking a $2 million recruitment drive to employ the next generation of TAFE teachers. 

The support for TAFE forms part of the Government’s $201.1 million plan for three new TAFE Centre of Excellence sites across Queensland, to help secure a pipeline of skilled workers for Queensland’s future.  

ENDS 

MEDIA CONTACT:  Justin Armsden 0417 518 532 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: 

The six new board members also include:

  • Ms Lorelei Baum – leader in community services and health, and currently the Communication and Stakeholder Engagement Lead for UnitingCare Queensland.  

  • Ms Rosemary Cole – senior health care leader with over 20 years’ experience managing frontline health services.  

  • Ms Colleen Hope – educator with over 40 years teaching and school principal experience, including schools specialising in diverse learning.  

  • Mr Andrew Knox – corporate and strategic advisor with 30 years’ experience in commercial law, advising businesses and multinationals.  

  • Mr Christopher Lehmann – extensive experience in the construction sector, including as General Manager of Membership, Advocacy and Partners at Master Electricians Australia.   

  • Ms Peta Tilse - financial services professional with over 25 years’ experience, currently Head of Funds Management at Natgen, a property fund manager.