Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane said the advisory board would provide the government with up-to-date information and feedback as reforms to the vocational education and training system continued.

It is understood the board will work with the government’s VET Reform Taskforce to help advance national reform priorities.

The five-member board comprises:

• John Hart (chair) – CEO of Restaurant and Catering Australia and a member of the Prime Minister’s Business Advisory Council
• Patrick McKendry (deputy chair) – CEO of Careers Australia Group and former chairman of the National Quality Council and TVET Australia
• Tara Diamond – executive director of industry services at the Australian Mines & Metals Association
• Dominique Fisher – executive chairman and managing director of CareerLounge; and
• Jodie Hughson – manager for quality, learning and workplace development for Anglicare, southern Queensland.

“[The five] board members bring a depth of experience from across the industry sector, in particular from areas where the need for highly skilled and productive workers is essential,” Macfarlane said.

“The VET sector must deliver training that can deliver students into a job and meet the changing skills needs of Australian industry in a fiercely competitive global environment.

“As Australia transitions to new industries of the future, the most important asset will be access to a skilled and productive workforce.”