National VET Regulator appointments made

July 27th, 2010 by swilson in Article, Skills, Training

Source: Licensing Line News

Federal Education Employment and Workplace Relations Minister, Simon Crean, has announced the appointment of four interim positions to help set up a national system of quality assurance and regulation in the higher education and VET sectors.

Interim chairs and interim CEOs have been appointed to the new Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) and the new National VET Regulator.

“The establishment of these two key agencies is an important step to improve the quality of Australia’s higher education and VET sectors,” Mr Crean said.

“The Australian government is very strongly committed to providing Australians with the best higher and VET education possible.
“We are making every effort to help students make that vitally important successful transition from study to work.”

The introduction of the National VET Regulator is a key initiative to improve the quality of VET as part of the Skills for Sustainable Growth package announced in the 2010-11 federal budget.

The Ministerial Council for Tertiary Education and Employment last month agreed in principle to an intergovernmental agreement and to drafting instructions for the legislation to establish the regulator.

Ms Kaye Schofield has been appointed Interim Chair of the National VET Regulator.

“Ms Schofield is highly qualified to lead this process, with decades of experience in the VET sector and senior positions in the New South Wales and South Australian governments,” Mr Crean said.

Mr John Smyth has been appointed Interim CEO of the National VET Regulator.

“Mr Smyth’s extensive experience in senior roles in the VET sector, including his current role as Secretary of the Tasmanian Department of Education, make him very well suited to this role,” Mr Crean said.

Permanent appointments, in line with the governance arrangements specified in the respective legislation, will be made following the passage of the legislation establishing the new organisations.

To read more visit http://www.deewr.gov.au/Ministers/Crean/Media/Pages/default.aspx