Regional Education Commissioner in Gippsland for Roundtable

From left to right: TAFE Gippsland Director of Educational Delivery Linda Austin, Regional Education Commissioner Fiona Nash, Southerly Ten Senior Manager - Regional Engagement Paul Johnson, Federation University Associate Director - Partnerships and Growth Mikaela Power, and Committee for Gippsland CEO Tony Cantwell.

Committee for Gippsland (C4G) hosted an industry skills roundtable at the Morwell Innovation Centre with the Regional Education Commissioner, Hon. Fiona Nash. Representatives from education, offshore wind, health, infrastructure, and professional services participated in the discussion.

C4G CEO Tony Cantwell said Ms Nash’s visit to Gippsland was a terrific opportunity to focus on education, skills and training leading to jobs and employment opportunities across the region.

“Education plays a critical role in building career pathways, starting from primary school and going all the way through high school, vocational training, and university.

"We are really pleased to have the opportunity to showcase our region to the Regional Education Commissioner and highlight the work being undertaken by our education providers, particularly as Gippsland continues its transition and attracts new industries.

"It was great to facilitate discussions with our Committee for Gippsland members around training, skills and education pathways, workforce planning for existing and emerging industries like offshore wind.

"The Commissioner’s visit also enabled us to highlight the collaborative work currently underway between industry and education," Mr Cantwell said.

C4G Board Member and Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Federation University, Leigh Kennedy, said that the roundtable provided a valuable opportunity for the region’s tertiary and vocational education providers to engage with Commissioner Nash and address key challenges and opportunities.

“We recognise that Gippsland faces its own unique challenges, but we are encouraged by the opportunity to work closely with the Commissioner and the state and federal government to identify solutions that will benefit our region.

“We also know that 70% of people who study in regional areas remain in those regions, so it’s critical that we invest in education and career pathways that appeal to our younger generations and encourage them to stay in Gippsland.

"Committee for Gippsland is pleased to continue collaborating with the Regional Education Commissioner to ensure that regional students and workforces across Gippsland have the best opportunities possible,” Ms Kennedy said.

You can find out more about the role of the Regional Education Commissioner here: https://www.education.gov.au/regional-education-commissioner