NEW SKILLSTECH AUSTRALIA COUNCIL ANNOUNCED

Published Friday, 13 July, 2007 at 09:00 AM

Minister for Education and Training and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Rod Welford

A new council for the TAFE institute, SkillsTech Australia, has been appointed to work with industry to ensure TAFE continues to deliver flexible and relevant training.

Education and Training Minister Rod Welford said the new council, appointed for up to three years, was one of 13 TAFE institute councils appointed across the State.

“The councils will help drive the Government’s $1 billion Queensland Skills Plan which is positioning TAFE institutes to be more responsive to today’s fast-changing training environment,” Mr Welford said.

“The 11-member SkillsTech Australia council will be chaired by Sharon O’Phee, Managing Director of O’Phee Trailers.

“The role of the council includes setting the Institute’s directions to respond effectively to the requirements of industry and Government.

“Queensland’s booming economy means there’s an increased need for tradespeople and skilled technicians across a wide range of industries to meet the demands of continued economic growth.

“While there’s still a demand for traditional trades like building, plumbing, electrical and motor trades, the mix of skills and qualifications is expanding to meet the requirements of 21st century business.

“Our Government is determined that TAFE institutes make major contributions to Queensland’s skilling requirements, alongside the thriving private sector.”

Mr Welford said the SkillsTech Australia Council membership reflected the institute’s leadership role in automotive, building and construction, engineering and manufacturing, utilities, electrical and electrotechnology.

Details of Council members, including the Chair, are below.

Media contact: Marnie Stitz on 3237 1000 or 0419 734 985


SkillsTech Australia Council Membership

*member of previous council

NAME

OCCUPATION/ORGANISATION

REPRESENTATION

Sharon O’Phee (Chair)

Managing Director, O’Phee Trailers

Automotive

Chris Rodwell

Director, Queensland Branch, Australian Industry Group

Queensland Industry

Craig Porter

Manager, Business Development, Leighton Contractors

Building & Construction

Rod Camm

CEO, Building & Construction Centre of Excellence and BCITF

Building & Construction

Bill Stoddart

Managing Director, Stoddarts, National Board Member for WorldSkills

Manufacturing & Engineering

Youth

Brett Dale

General Manager, Motor Trades Association Queensland Training

Automotive

Andrew Dettmer

State Secretary, Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU)

Australian Council of Councils

Derek Hunter

CEO, Mining Skills Centre

Mining

David Brown

General Manager, MIGAS

Group Training

Barry McKnight

Institute Director, Barrier Reef Institute of TAFE

Regional Representative

Steve Ghost

Managing Director, SkillsTech Australia

SkillsTech Australia