The peak body representing independent skills training, higher education, and international education providers, the Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA) has a new independent Board Chair, Mark McKenzie.
Bringing with him a wealth of business experience, Mr McKenzie has served on the Australian Government’s vocational education and training reform transition advisory group, which provided the framework for the ten new Jobs and Skills Councils (JSCs) responsible for workforce planning and qualifications development. His experience also spans higher education research through his work with the Australian Research Council (ARC).
Mr McKenzie’s experience also includes recent appointments relevant to the skills training, higher education, and international education sectors, including the ACCC Small Business and Franchising Committee and the Australian Government Digital Transformation Expert Panel.
He is the current Chief Executive Officer of the Convenience and Petroleum Marketers Association (ACAPMA), representing the interests of the $101billion fuel wholesale and fuel retail industry for more than 4,600 businesses and around 70,000 employees.
“It’s great to be working with the ITECA Board and the ITECA Chief Executive, Troy Williams, at a time when its strong governance arrangements and relationships with members, industry stakeholders, and government allow it to be a respected and effective voice for independent skills training and higher education providers,” Mr McKenzie said.
A focus for Mr. McKenzie will be on strengthening the tertiary education sector's relationship with employers.
“ITECA members have formidable relationships with employers and the symbiotic nature of this relationship is critical to cultivating a highly skilled and educated workforce, pivotal for future innovation and economic growth," Mr McKenzie added.
The outgoing ITECA Board Chair, Adjunct Professor Wilhelm Harnisch, remarked on his past four years in the role.
“As the former ITECA Board Chair, I am immensely proud of our legacy in positioning the organisation to champion the independent tertiary education sector's crucial role in skilling our future workforce. ITECA’s focus on outcomes for students, employers, and the nation underscores the commitment to the quality provision of skills training and higher education by our members,” Professor Harnisch said.
ITECA is the peak body representing independent Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) that support 89% of the 4.5 million students in skills training and providers that support 10% of the 1.6 million students in a higher education awards program.
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Contact details:
Troy Williams, ITECA Chief Executive
e: [email protected]
m: 0400 599 934