Appointment of new Jobs and Skills Australia Deputy Commissioners

I am pleased to announce that Ms Megan Lilly and Mr Trevor Gauld have been appointed as the new Deputy Commissioners of Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA).

I congratulate them on their appointment, and I look forward to them joining the JSA leadership team and working closely with them to deliver better outcomes for Australian workers, and more opportunities for the businesses that need them to grow our economy.

Both Deputy Commissioners will bring with them a wealth of experience from their field, having both contributed significantly to reform in the VET sector to benefit local businesses and Australian workers.

They are well connected and respected in their areas of expertise, and will provide excellent support to the Commissioner, Professor Barney Glover AO, in delivering JSA’s goal of helping our country meet its present and future skills needs.

The Albanese Labor Government established JSA to provide independent evidence and advice on current and emerging labour market and workforce skills, and training needs.

It plays a critical role in developing the skills our country needs for a Future Made in Australia to make more things here, and will support the Government’s work in key areas like the transition to a net zero economy, growing our care workforce, and building the homes Australians need.

The Deputy Commissioners will help drive JSA’s enhanced tripartite stakeholder engagement, involving the Commonwealth, state and territory governments, industry, employers, unions and training providers.

They will facilitate connections and networks across the national skills system, across vocational educational and training (VET), higher education, migration, employment and workplace relations, and related policy areas informing the labour market and economy.

The Deputy Commissioners will also lead the delivery of specific sector capacity, cohort or regional studies, and drive stakeholder engagement activities for these projects.

BACKGROUND - BIOGRAPHIES OF NEW DEPUTY COMMISSIONERS:

Megan Lilly is currently the Executive Director – Centre for Education & Training at The Australian Industry Group (Ai Group). In this role, Megan has been responsible for the development of all education, training and skills policy, research and advocacy. Prior to this, she was the Chief Executive Officer of Business Services Training Australia, the national industry advisory board for the business services and related industry sectors. Before joining the national board, she held several senior management positions in various Victorian TAFE institutes.

Megan is a co-deputy chair of the Jobs and Skills Australia Ministerial Advisory Board, board member – Worldskills Australia, the Mansfield Adult Community Education centre and a member of the Qualifications Reform Design Group. Megan was also on the Noonan AQF Review Panel and chaired Manufacturing Skills Australia. She has been a member of the Australia India Education Council, including co-chairing the Skills Working Group, Australian Qualifications Framework Council, Queensland Ministerial Commission, Victorian Skills Commission and was a member of the Australian Industry Skills Committee, National Skills Standards Council, and the National Quality Council.  Megan also co-edited Rethinking Tertiary Education chaired the Joint COAG-NQC Working Group – VET Products for the 21 Century and has presented at international conferences. She has a master in educational policy and administration.

Trevor Gauld is currently the National Assistant Secretary of the Electrical Trades Union and has worked as an electrical tradesperson across different sectors within the electrical industry including power distribution, transmission, electrical maintenance, and industrial construction.

Trevor has held numerous Board Directorships and committee positions, providing strategic advice on skills, training, worker entitlements, immigration and Australia’s trade agenda as well as detailed analysis of climate and clean energy policy.

Trevor has extensive experience in leadership and management, coupled with a strong focus on creating productive, fair and healthy workplaces. He is deeply passionate about the opportunity lifelong learning provides to working people and has been a constant advocate for quality apprenticeships and training, particularly through expanding programs to provide greater opportunity for women and First Nations people.