Board of Directors
mcass [at] jmc [dot] edu [dot] au (Martin Cass)
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Martin Cass has had a lifelong dedication to the continuous improvement in the quality of education and training standards provided by the tertiary private sector. This is evident, not only through the establishment and growth of JMC Academy since its inception in 1982, but through his own personal mission towards achieving a Doctorate in education. Martin's commitment to influential industry bodies and associations is also testament to this. The JMC Academy is a dual sector education provider with campuses in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. As pioneers of the first fully accredited courses in Audio Engineering (1991), Multimedia (1996), and Digital Television (2000), the organisation remained viable despite an environment challenged with sub-standard providers and escalating demands to meet rigorous education protocol. |
melk [at] academia21 [dot] com (Mel Koumides)
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Mel is a director and co-founder of Academia International, a private educational institution delivering ELICOS, Pathway to University and Trade Courses to both local and international students. Academia International offers over 30 courses across varying qualifications with more than 50 nationalities of students studying at any one time (in addition to Australian students). Prior to Academia International, Mel worked in the information technology industry, working for large multinational organisations such as Siemens, Fujitsu and Teradata. Mel has held various consulting and managerial roles, heading professional services and consulting practices across Australia and the Asia Pacific region. Mel is a member of the ACPET Victorian state committee and the ACPET International committee and is a graduate of RMIT University, holding a Bachelor of Applied Science majoring in Computer Science. |
gbrown [at] think [dot] edu [dot] au (Dr George Brown)
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Dr George Brown was appointed Group Academic Director at Think: Education Group in 2007. Think: Education Group offer a range of diverse and niche academic programs in the higher, vocational, ELICOS and VET in Schools sectors to over 10,000 students across three states. Prior to this, George held senior academic positions with the Navitas Group, Le Cordon Bleu Australia, International College of Hotel Management and TAFESA. Dr Brown is a Board Director of the Tourism & Hospitality Education International Centre of Excellence (THE-ICE) and has been a Board Director of the Australian Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC) and Australian Universities Quality Agency (AUQA). George’s research interests surround higher education accreditation, quality improvement and the burgeoning problem of non-official education provision. George holds a PhD from the University of Adelaide, a Master of Educational Management from Flinders University and both a Bachelor of Business and Graduate Diploma of Education from the University of South Australia. |
ldavies [at] directionswa [dot] com [dot] au (Larry Davies)
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Larry Davies is CEO of Directions, a not for profit organisation which is a group trainer, a Registered Training Organisation, and an employment service delivery agency. The organisation’s head office is in the Wheatbelt of Western Australia and its recent achievements include the development of alternative education centres for young people who have disengaged from mainstream education and training and often from all social networks. Larry’s introduction to the employment and training sector was in the early 1980’s in the State Public Service. He had seven years as the Director of Industrial Training in charge of all apprentices and trainees in WA. He ended his public service career as General Manager Employment with the Department of Training. After leaving the public service he operated as a consultant in the training area and also purchased three training colleges. One of his consulting jobs led to his current position as CEO of Directions. Larry’s passions include Indigenous training and employment, skill development and managing an effective balance between public and private provision of training and education. The issues faced by regional and remote communities is also a strong interest and Larry believes that ACPET is in a very key position to influence Government policy in these and international education areas. |
gurdeep [dot] singh [at] aitt [dot] vic [dot] edu [dot] au (Gurdeep Singh Dhillon)
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Gurdeep Dhillon is the Founder of the Australian Institute of Technical Training (AITT) and has been the Chief Executive Officer since 2007. The Institute started with four students and now has more than 400 International Students from 13 different nationalities offering 17 qualifications across different streams. Prior to this, Gurdeep held academic positions with Victoria University & Latrobe University and is still the Visiting Faculty with Endeavour College in Biomedical Sciences faculty. As an International student, Gurdeep studied at Canberra University for his Masters and for his PhD at Victoria University. Gurdeep also holds a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and Diploma in VET Registration and Management. Gurdeep was part of the ACPET delegation to India in 2010 to promote private education providers. He has been involved in consultations with AUSTRADE and the Australia India Institute on behalf of ACPET. He is a strong advocate for providing quality choices in the education and training sector and promoting private providers both in Australia and overseas. Gurdeep is the member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. |
jenny [dot] field [at] primelearning [dot] com [dot] au (Jenny Field) |
Jenny Field is the Academic Manager of Prime Learning and Australian College of Training and Employment. Together, these RTOs deliver accedited training to over 5000 students every year - specialising in traineeships, workplace delivery and focussed classroom delivery. Prior to working with Prime, Jenny owned and operated Specialised Training Services for 10 years and understands through experience the concerns and struggles of small private providers. Jenny has worked in the adult education environment since 1990, and is passionate about providing individual tailored training to students. Jenny has successfully implemented alternative education programs, community mentoring training, structured workplace delivery, and vocational training partnerships with schools and industry. Jenny also serves on other committees and boards in Queensland, including SCISCO Career Pathways - Board of Management, the Board of the QLD Overseas Student Foundation, the QLD Vet PD Steering Committee, and the Logan Industry, Schools and Community Taskforce |
rf [at] qualitytraining [dot] com [dot] au (Richard Finlayson)
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Richard is Managing Director and owner of Quality Training and Hospitality College (QT&HC), a position which he has filled for the last 15 years. QT&HC is a South Australian based private training company, with offices Adelaide and Sydney. These two offices also support training activities in Queensland and Victoria. The College was formed in 1992 and trains both domestic and international students. Last year the College trained over 1,000 students in a variety of hospitality programs. Before joining QT&HC, Richard worked in both the Hospitality and Retail industries both in Australia and overseas, including Scotland, France and South Africa. Richard has the distinction of having completed his Hospitality Diploma in three different continents, starting in Johannesburg, South Africa, transferring to Edinburgh in Scotland, before finally completing the qualification at Regency Park in Adelaide, Australia. As such Richard is fortunate enough to have first-hand knowledge of a variety of different teaching methodologies, training packages and educational ideologies. |
nicole [dot] gayewski [at] megt [dot] com [dot] au (Nicole Gayewski)
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Nicole Gayewski is the Tasmanian State Manager of MEGT Institute, the education and training division of MEGT (Australia) Ltd delivering accredited training to domestic and international students. MEGT (Australia) Ltd is a private, not for profit education, training and employment organisation with offices throughout Australia and in the UK. Nicole has worked extensively in the education, employment and labour market sectors since 1992 holding senior operational and managerial roles for the past 17 years. As the Tasmanian State Manager, Nicole has strengthened the core RTO operation and recently diversified the business to train and support students with a disability. Nicole has been involved in the Tasmanian ACPET committee for the past two years. |
lmaterano [at] blendedlearning [dot] com [dot] au (Lisa Materano)
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Lisa Materano has extensive experience in education and business administration and is the founding Director of Blended Learning International Pty Ltd which she established as a Registered Training Organisation in 2005. She is also the Director of LM Consultancies Pty Ltd focused on the design and development of education and training products. Lisa’s primary roles focus on educational design, delivery, implementation and pathway systems for all educational levels in accordance with the Australian Qualifications Framework. As Director of Blended Learning International, Lisa has developed the organisation as an innovative education and training provider specialising in business, management, project management and information technology, serving key national clients and local communities ranging from Qantas and the Department of Defence to the Salvation Army and indigenous organisations. Blended Learning International established the Australian Technical College Queanbeyan and Region (ATCQ&R) which delivers years 11 and 12 in conjunction with an apprenticeship qualification at the Certificate III level. Through LM Consultancies Lisa successfully established the Australian National University (ANU) College as a Registered Training Organisation (2000), implementing Vocational Education and Training programs and securing a wide range of Federal and Territory Government contracts. Lisa holds a Bachelor and Masters Degree in Economics, a Diploma in Education and a Diploma in Training and Assessment. |
jim [at] empyrean [dot] net [dot] au (James Ryan)
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Born In Ireland and migrating to Liverpool in England as a young child James was brought up in Manchester. He served in the British army and saw service in Germany, Cyprus, Aden and Northern Ireland. He is qualified as a chartered accountant and had a variety of accounting positions in United Kingdom before migrating to Australia. James is the current owner and operator of Empyrean Function Centre and Empyrean Training Academy in Northbridge, Perth. The Academy is a registered RTO and CRICOS provider offering courses in Business, English, Security and Hospitality. The target group for the Academy’s domestic market are disadvantaged groups, including unemployed, ex corrective services, disabled, and those from a culturally and linguistically diverse background. The Academy Function Centre houses the Metcalfe Theatre which hosts live theatre productions, awards nights, corporate film nights, parties etc. A major benefit of the Function Centre is that it provides work experience for the Academy’s hospitality students. James previously owned a management consultancy company based in Canberra and Sydney offering high level project management expertise and advice to both the Government and the private sector. |
rwelch [at] jpc [dot] qld [dot] edu [dot] au (Russell Welch)
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Russell Welch is Director of John Paul International College, a College that operates across the School, VET, Pathways and ELICOS sectors. As Foundation Director, Russell was responsible for the College’s development and significant growth in the competitive Private Education and Training environment. With a long career background in private education and training, Russell brings particular expertise in: technology and education; export of education and training services; international marketing; change management and customer service; leadership and corporate governance; and, strategic business planning and development. Russell originally participated in ACPET as a member, before joining the Queensland State Management Committee and the International Committee in 2004. Since then, he has been very involved in the many and varied facets of ACPET Queensland life at all levels. Russell’s expertise in off-shore education and training projects see him contribute extensively to ACPET’s international committee and its strategic direction. |
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