Paul Byrne – Chair
Paul has extensive experience at operational and senior management levels in Australian national VET organisations and in industry. His initial experience was in the manufacturing industry as a professional engineer after which he taught and managed in TAFE for over twelve years. He then held leading positions in the Australian Education Union at State and Federal levels and was a member of joint industry/ACTU committees, where he played a significant role in the design and implementation of the reformed VET system in Australia.
From the mid-nineties he was a senior officer with the Australian National Training Authority and led the industry liaison and National Training Framework. During his work he has maintained and developed extensive connections with industry at the peak body and enterprise levels. Paul has detailed knowledge and experience with the National Training Framework, the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) and the Apprenticeship system. He was General Manager, 1999-2003, and CEO of ANTA, 2004-2005.
He is currently chair of TAFE Tasmania Board, is on the Board of the national Innovation and Business Industry Skills Council and the Victorian TAFE Development Centre, and is a member of the Tasmanian Qualifications Authority.
Paul consults on VET policy and his recent work has included a review of the charter of the Australian Qualifications Framework Advisory Board, and VET system development in China, Chile (with Dr Ian Allen) and in Saudi Arabia. He holds professional engineering qualifications from RMIT University, is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Engineers and holds teaching qualifications from the Hawthorn Institute (now incorporated into the University of Melbourne).
Katherine Schaefer
Katherine is the General Manager (Central Coast Council) and she joined the TAFE Tasmania Board in January 2004. Katherine began her career as a teacher and Principal in Queensland and since then has undertaken a range of senior administrative roles in the education sector in Queensland and South Australia strengthening her already extensive policy and strategic planning experience. She also worked at a senior level for the South Australian Office of Employment and Youth.
Neville Smith
Neville is currently working for Gunns Ltd as Commercial Manager - Pulp Mill Project - based in Launceston, and has held senior management positions at a number of leading forest industry and manufacturing organisations around Tasmania and Australia. Neville was appointed in January 2005 for a three-year term.
Caroline Rockefeller
Caroline has held senior roles in Wholesales Funds Management and in Client Service, Relationship Management and Marketing in the Deutsche Bank and the Macquarie bank. Her roles have included product development, market research, portfolio management, relationship management and client marketing. Caroline brings considerable experience to the TAFE Board.
Peter Killick
Peter is a core member of the Fairbrother team, Tasmania’s largest direct employer in the construction and building industry. He has commenced his latest role with the company as Operations Manager in October 2006, after joining the firm as an apprentice in 1983. Since being awarded Training Authority of Tasmania Apprentice of the year in 1985, he has held a number of positions including carpenter, estimator project manager and Southern Divisional Manager. With his long-standing history with the company, Peter holds a wealth of skills and experience from both on-site and management perspectives.
As Operations Manager, Peter’s principle role is the overseeing of the company’s three construction divisions and substantial joinery manufacturing facility. Peter also assists in the procurement of new and future works and has been a company director since April 2002.
Married with two children, Peter’s passions include housing, motorsport and boating. In 2007 he collected an impressive 5th Targa Tasmania trophy. Peter is an honorary member of the Rotary Club of Kingston after almost 10 years service and was Club President in 2003 and 2004. Peter was also appointed to the Board of TAFE Tasmania in January 2006.
Gail Eaton-Briggs – CEO (Acting), TAFE Tasmania
Last updated
Friday, 6 August 2008
