Release type: Media Release

Date:

Professor Peter Dawkins AO farewelled from Jobs and Skills Australia

Ministers:

The Hon Brendan O'Connor MP
Minister for Skills and Training

The Albanese Government thanks Professor Peter Dawkins AO, Acting Commissioner of Jobs and Skills Australia, whose tenure ends this week. 

Professor Dawkins has led Jobs and Skills Australia through its interim establishment phase and contributed significantly to its foundation, setting it up for future success and growth.  

Since commencing in December 2022, Professor Dawkins has overseen:  

  • Jobs and Skills Australia’s first workforce capacity study – The Clean Energy Generation: Workforce needs for a net zero economy, a deep analysis of Australia’s workforce capacity to meet our emissions goals. 
  • delivery of the inaugural Jobs and Skills Report: Towards a national jobs and skills roadmap. This report provides an important assessment of Australia’s current and future skills needs and lays the groundwork for a collaborative approach to addressing many of Australia’s biggest skills challenges. 
  • the development of Jobs and Skills Australia’s 2023-24 work plan, which sets out the priorities and key outcomes for the current year. 
  • preliminary work on the $12 million study of adult literacy, numeracy and digital literacy skills through the Foundations Skills Study. This study will bridge the critical evidence gap about the population’s foundation skills. 

Under Professor Dawkins’ leadership, Jobs and Skills Australia has been established as a truly tripartite organisation, embedding stakeholder partnerships into its operations. This will be a lasting legacy for Professor Dawkins, and one that JSA will continue to build upon.   

I thank Peter for his commitment to getting Jobs and Skills Australia off to a great start, for his advice and leadership during this critical time.   

A new Commissioner for JSA will be announced soon, following the conclusion of the selection process that is currently underway. Until then, Mr David Turvey will be appointed as the Acting Commissioner. Mr Turvey is currently First Assistant Secretary of Jobs and Skills Australia and has played an instrumental role in the establishment phase alongside Professor Dawkins.