Leading VET Experts

Claire Field is the Principal of Claire Field and Associates, a consultancy and advisory practice offering strategic advice on international education, VET and private higher education to providers, government and other tertiary education stakeholders. Previously Claire served as the CEO of ACPET from 2010 – 2014. Prior to ACPET Claire worked in a number of State and Commonwealth government roles, including establishing the Commonwealth’s first national VET regulator, NARA. She has also worked in both TAFE NSW and a leading, national, not-for-profit VET provider. Claire holds a Masters in Educational Assessment, and an Executive Masters in Public Administration.

John Price has been an educator and trainer for over 40 years and in that time has worked as a Head of Department at TAFE, mentor, facilitator of national workshops covering delivery and assessment, risk management, auditing, leadership and interpersonal skill development.

John has been a keynote speaker at conventions and conferences, and maintained a grass roots level approach to dealing with people at all levels of the organisation.

He has also assisted over 300 organisations in Australia to achieve quality certification to the range of National Training Standards including: Standards for NVR Registered Training Organisations (versions 2012 and 2015); Australian Quality Training Framework standards (AQTF from 2001 – 2010) Australian and International ISO9001 standards (AS/NZS and ISO from 1987 – 2008) and worked with these organisations in establishing continuous improvement systems and strategies.

John Dwyer is a trainer and consultant with experience in education spanning more than 60 years. He brings extensive Registered Training Organisation (RTO) experience to Velg Training, having a comprehensive history in developing and delivering a range of workshops on assessment, compliance, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), moderation and validation processes relating to AQTF/VQF compliance. 

Claire Field - Principal, Claire Field and Associates

Claire Field is the Principal of Claire Field and Associates, a consultancy and advisory practice offering strategic advice on international education, VET and private higher education to providers, government and other tertiary education stakeholders. Previously Claire served as the CEO of ACPET from 2010 – 2014. Prior to ACPET Claire worked in a number of State and Commonwealth government roles, including establishing the Commonwealth’s first national VET regulator, NARA. She has also worked in both TAFE NSW and a leading, national, not-for-profit VET provider. Claire holds a Masters in Educational Assessment, and an Executive Masters in Public Administration.

Jan Owen AM - CEO, Foundation for Young Australians

CEO, Foundation for Young Australians

Jan is a highly regarded social entrepreneur, innovator, influencer and author who has spent the past 25 years growing Australia's youth, social enterprise and innovation sectors.

In 2012 she was named Australia's inaugural Australian Financial Review and Westpac Woman of Influence; in 2014 she received the Doctor of Letters (honoris causa) from the University of Sydney; and was awarded membership to the Order of Australia in 2000. She is the author of Every Childhood Lasts a Lifetime (1996) and The Future Chasers (2014).

Jan is the CEO of the Foundation for Young Australians and YLab, the global youth futures lab. Her lifelong mission is to unleash the potential of young people to lead positive change in the world.

John Price - Consultant, John Price & Associates

John Price has been an educator and trainer for over 40 years and in that time has worked as a Head of Department at TAFE, mentor, facilitator of national workshops covering delivery and assessment, risk management, auditing, leadership and interpersonal skill development.

John has been a keynote speaker at conventions and conferences, and maintained a grass roots level approach to dealing with people at all levels of the organisation.

He has also assisted over 300 organisations in Australia to achieve quality certification to the range of National Training Standards including: Standards for NVR Registered Training Organisations (versions 2012 and 2015); Australian Quality Training Framework standards (AQTF from 2001 – 2010) Australian and International ISO9001 standards (AS/NZS and ISO from 1987 – 2008) and worked with these organisations in establishing continuous improvement systems and strategies.

Tim Reid - Founder and host of The Small Business Big Marketing Show

Tim Reid is founder and host of Australia and New Zealand’s number one business and marketing podcast, The Small Business Big Marketing Show. Now in its fifth year, the show is downloaded in 110 countries and has a global audience of tens of thousands of business owners.

 Launched six years ago, the hit program now ranks on iTunes above the Australian Stock Exchange, Alan Jones, Apple’s podcast and even outranks Harvard Business School as the number one business podcast. 

Tim is a successful small-business owner in his own right, running his own marketing business for the past seven years. Prior to starting his business, he was the marketing manager for Flight Centre and also spent ten years working in Australia’s largest advertising agency, looking after the advertising needs of Gillette, AXA, Yellow Pages and Dulux. He also worked with Jim Stynes at Reach, helping to raise over one million dollars in the company’s most profitable fundraising event ever. Tim is a regular writer for Nett magazine and the online community Flying Solo. 

Tim travels the world showing business owners and marketers how to implement modern marketing methods – gaining success and increasing profits – without spending a fortune. He has spoken in eight countries in the past 12 months. 

He believes there’s never been a better time to market your business – ever!

Mark Hodgson - Transformation Consultancy

Mark Hodgson comes from a corporate background and has held senior leadership roles in the UK, Australasia, Central Europe and Russia. He is now a leading thinker in Transformation and Influence - helping leaders to unlock their inner talents for success and happiness.

Mark has inspired large teams across a range of commercial and not-for-profit businesses. A natural disruptor, he helps executives, consultants and entrepreneurs to position themselves as leading influencers and is an expert in leading change.

His book, ‘Time to Shine: Adapting who you are and what you know to succeed in the ideas economy’ explains what we need to DO, BE and BUILD to show up as successful, happy and authentic Influencers.

Mark is an Executive Coach, Author, Advisor and keynote Speaker.

www.markhodgson.com.au

Chief Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer - Mr Mark Paterson AO - Australian Skills Quality Authority

Mr Mark Paterson AO has extensive experience across government and industry, including experience leading government departments at both the state and federal levels. Mr Paterson is a former Secretary of the NSW Department of Trade and Investment, Regional Infrastructure and Services; the Australian Government Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research; and the Australian Government Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources.

Mr Paterson commenced as a Commissioner of ASQA on 30 May 2016, and commenced as Chief Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer from 1 January 2017.

Naomi Simson - Founder of RedBalloon & Co-Founder of The Big Red Group

As one of Australia’s most prominent entrepreneurs and business leaders, Naomi Simson is known as the founding director of online experience retailer RedBalloon. She’s an investor on Network Ten’s popular television series Shark Tank, a business blogger and author and is now co-founder of the newly formed The Big Red Group (BRG) an organisation housing her 4 businesses RedBalloon, Redii, Wrapped and The Huddle.  

After recently securing the exclusive rights to bring the world’s first AI digital marketing platform Albert to Australia and New Zealand, BRG is paving the way for fully autonomous digital marketing campaigns.

A true business influencer and leader with more than 2 million LinkedIn followers, she’s Australia’s most followed person on the business networking platform. She’s author of three books including the bestseller Live What You Love, I Want What She's Having and Ready to Soar.

Naomi also assists entrepreneurs in turning their ideas into big business through her online course ‘Building your Business Brand’ through her education platform, The Huddle.

As an engaging and passionate speaker, Naomi is relatable across a broad variety of audiences and topics. Often drawing on her own personal experiences, she provides thoughtful and honest conversations on topics such as Purpose, Leadership, Business Success, The Entrepreneurial Journey and Thriving Workplaces.  

Before founding RedBalloon, Naomi worked for big businesses including IBM, Apple, KPMG and Ansett Airlines – all of which influenced her views on workplaces.

Naomi’s received a number of high profile awards including the 2008 National Telstra Business Women Awards for Innovation, Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Industry category winner 2011, and Lifetime Achievement Silver Stevie Award 2013. And in early February 2017, she commenced her role as a member of the University of Melbourne's Faculty's Business and Economics Board.

The Honourable Karen Andrews, Assistant Minister for Vocational Education and Skills

Gerry Gannon (MC) & Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts