Today in the TDA Monday Newsletter I want to use my piece to acknowledge the extraordinary leadership of Mary Faraone (pictured right), CEO of Holmesglen Institute Victoria and TDA Board Chair for eight years. Mary completed her term on the TDA Board last Thursday. Below in the newsletter is the list of new TDA Board members.
For the entire time Mary has been on the TDA Board she has led with wisdom and influence. Mary’s journey has been one of highs and lows. She began as Chair of TDA when the VET Fee HELP debacle occurred. That was a difficult time for the Board and for the TDA executive of the day. However, for every low there have been many more highs. Mary’s decisive and clear presentation at the National Skills Summit in Canberra in
September 2022 where she positioned TAFE as the public provider for vocational education and committed to quality student outcomes and industry skills development stands out.
Since 2022 Mary has continued to lead from her position as TDA Board Chair, making sure that the public provider is at the heart. Many who are not part of TAFE or dual sector universities know of Mary’s strong role. That is the mark of a true influencer and a national leader. All who work in TAFE recognise and respect Mary’s contributions – thank you Mary (noting you continue as CEO of Holmesglen Institute).
Today, I also want to recognise all people who work in TAFE. Last Thursday was Public Education Day. TAFE is the public educator and pivotal to the skills development efforts for every State and Territory. That requires huge dedication and commitment of the complex workforce that constitutes TAFEs. Thank you to TAFE educators and professional staff for the roles you continue to play in the skills development and support of students and the engagement with industry.
TDA has announced new members of its Board, following the Annual General Meeting last Thursday.
David Coltman (pictured), the Chief Executive of TAFE SA, has been selected as 
the new Chair, and John Tucker, Chief Executive Officer of TAFE Queensland, as Deputy Chair.
David was appointed to lead TAFE SA in April 2019. For the last six years he has transitioned TAFE SA into the leading provider for South Australia and one of Australia’s strong public education TAFEs.
The other TDA Board members are:
All TDA Board member terms end at the AGM, and new Board members are chosen from each jurisdiction.
TDA extends its congratulations to all the new members of the TDA Board!
Tasmania is seeking applications for the Chief Executive Officer of TasTAFE.
The successful applicant will lead the execution of the TasTAFE vision and strategy, drive high performance, and achieve long term sustainability.
Details are available on SEEK. Applications close on 16 June 2025.
Join us to explore how TAFEs are partnering with industry, Jobs and Skills Councils (JSCs) and other TAFEs to lead innovation in Clean Energy initiatives relating to automotive and batteries. Learn more about the importance of collaborative partnerships in preparing the future workforce to support current and emerging automotive needs and power a clean energy future.
You will also hear about the innovative work being undertaken by Canberra Institute of Technology Electric Vehicle Centre of Excellence, Bendigo Kangan TAFE, and TAFE Queensland Centre of Excellence Clean Energy Batteries, along with AUSMASA (JSC) and Foton Mobility Distribution, Australian distributor of new energy heavy vehicles.
If you work for a TAFE or dual sector university, you may wish to participate in one of the TDAMembersConnect one-hour webinars that are just for TDA members. Here is one for those managing TAFEs’ response to VET data streamlining and other digital directions.
Wednesday, 28 May 2025, 2-3pm AEST
TDA MembersConnect: Skills Digital Project
TDA would like to thank TechnologyOne for inviting Jo Haslam, Deputy 
Director, Industry and Engagement, to speak at the Melbourne User group.
It was great to have the opportunity to meet members and share insights about how TAFEs are responding to the technology shaping our sector, from AI in the classroom to the ethical challenges of data use.
It was also a timely reminder that while tools change, TAFE remains focused on what matters most: supporting every learner to succeed in a world that will only grow more complex, connected, and digital.
Join us to learn more about the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and how TAFEs are applying the framework to improve inclusive learning and teaching practice.
Supported by Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and Training (ADCET), this session will provide an overview of UDL 3.0, along with practical examples of its integration into practice at TAFE NSW, TAFE SA and CIT.
Gina was initially inspired to get into gardening due to the COVID pandemic.
“Not being able to easily access fresh food because everything had closed down, I had to rely on my herbs and vegetable garden,” Gina explained.
“But after having had back and neck issues for many years, I decided to purchase a raised vegepod garden.”
“I started with one and now have two large, two medium and one small sized vegepods. I purchased the vegepods due to the fact that they have built in covers that protect from pest problems and also a wicking bed design, which means that don’t need to be watered all the time.”
After neck surgery in September 2022, Gina found gardening to be very therapeutic and rewarding.
“I have found gardening has been great for my mental health after living with chronic pain for so many years. Having your hands in the soil is the best medication around and it gives your brain something else to think about for a while,” said Gina.
For Gina, the decision to pursue further education, especially after a long break, was quite challenging, but she thought studying a Fee-Free TAFE funded horticulture course was a great way to gain new skills and open up potential employment opportunities.
The Queensland government has announced a new Board for TAFE Queensland, which sees seven new members.
The former Chief Financial Officer of Devine Limited, Vivian Grayson, has been appointed as Chair.
The Australian Education Union (AEU) is holding a national photography competition for TAFE students to capture ‘The Heart of TAFE’ in 2025.
Students entrants can send the AEU their best picture (or pictures) that depict ‘The Heart of TAFE’. The photos will be part of telling a powerful visual story about the life-changing role of Australia’s world-class TAFE system.
Whether it is the world-class facilities, the student diversity or the expert hands-on training, natural snaps or fully staged shots, student entrants have the creative freedom to impress us with their vision. Judges will be looking for outstanding photographs that are well-crafted and portray ‘The Heart of TAFE’.
Students can visit aeufederal.org.au/photography-comp to enter. The closing date for entries is Monday 7 July 2025.
Each state based winner will win $1000 and a trip to Canberra for National TAFE Day, Tuesday 9 September , where their work will be displayed in an exhibition. The overall winner will win $5000 and publication in the TAFE Teacher magazine.
Industry Skills Australia (ISA) Consultation Workshop: VET Workforce Barriers and Burdens
ISA is undertaking a vital project to better understand the real-world challenges you’re facing with the VET Workforce, and we need your insights to shape meaningful solutions.
Join ISA on Monday June 2 at 10am for a Consultation Workshop for TAFEs that have Aviation, Maritime, Rail, and/or Transport & Logistics training packages on their explicit scope. ISA will explore:
AUSMASA Open Consultation
The first draft training products for Hydrogen Fuel Cell EVs are available for review – Hydrogen Fuel Cell EV’s Project
Provide feedback here Consultation closes Friday, 6 June 2025.
Powering Skills Organisation
Insights Update provides a comprehensive overview of Powering Skills Organisation’s recent activities. This includes new initiatives, ongoing plans, and the outcomes achieved.
Monday, 26 May 2025 12:00 – 13:00 AEST. Register Here
TAFETalks: Clean energy futures powered by TAFE
Wednesday 4 June 2025, 2.00-3.00pm AEST
Register here
National Apprentice Employment Network 2025 National Conference
11-13 June 2025
Sofitel, Brisbane
More information
Webinar: Education to industry: how gen AI is shaping tomorrow
TEQSA and the National Artificial Intelligence Centre (NAIC)
12 June 2025
More information
WorldSkills Australia National Championships and Skills Showcase
12-14 June 2025
Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre
More information
TAFETalks: Powering inclusive TAFE Teaching with UDL guidelines
18 June 2025
Register here
Apprentice Employment Network NSW & ACT
2025 Skills Conference
24 June 2025
Amora Hotel, Sydney
More information
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Symposium 2025
Navigating Authentic Assessment and Learning in a Digital World
25-26 June 2025
University of Sydney
More information
Scholarship of Learning and Teaching (SoLT) 2025
3 July 2025
South Bank, Queensland
More information
34th National Vocational Education and Training (VET) Research Conference ‘No Frills’
9-11 July 2025. Registrations are now open.
Gold Coast
More information
TAFETalks: Evolving digital learning for strategic impact at TAFE Queensland
6 August 2025 14:00 Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney
Register here
Victorian TAFE Association TAFECreates25 Conference
7 August 2025
Melbourne Polytechnic Conference Centre, Melbourne
More information
VET National Teaching & Learning Conference
14-15 August 2025
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
More information
National Skills Week
‘Explore All the Options’
25-31 August 2025
More information
MyeQuals Connect
2 September 2025
Venue: Rydges Latimer Christchurch
Register here
25% discount code: TDAMyeQuals
Impact ATEM 2025
Association for Tertiary Education Management annual conference
7-10 September 2025
Australian National University, Canberra.
More information
TAFETalks: Build the future of education with humans and GenAI
29 October 2025 14:00 Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney
Register here
Velg Training National VET Conference
30-31 October 2025
Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre
More information
Association of Colleges Annual Conference
18-19 November 2025
Birmingham, England
More information (contact TDA memberservices@tda.edu.au)
TDA Convention 2026
SAVE the DATE
5-7 May 2026
Brisbane
More information
48th WorldSkills International Competition Shanghai
22-27 September 2026
More information
2026 WFCP World Congress
23-28 November 2026
Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, Kenya
Save the date
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