Workers and students will have a direct voice on the NSW Skills Board for the first time as the State Government looks to tackle critical skills shortages and prepare its workforce for changing industry needs.
The NSW Government has appointed eight members to the refreshed board, which provides independent strategic advice to the Minister on skills, training and workforce challenges.
The appointments bring together expertise spanning industry, education, vocational education and training (VET), economics and government, with the inclusion of dedicated employee and student representatives marking a significant change.
Dr Michele Bruniges AO has been appointed chair. Bruniges previously completed the NSW Review of Vocational Education and Training from 2023 to 2024 and more recently reviewed the Jobs and Skills Australia Act for the Federal Government.
Business NSW chief executive officer Daniel Hunter is deputy chair, while Unions NSW assistant secretary Thomas Costa joins as employee representative.
Former Australian Trainee of the Year and NSW Trainee of the Year Bridie Searle has been appointed student representative. Searle currently works with Thales Australia as a facilities assets and maintenance coordinator and training and capability coordinator.
The other members are Annabel Crookes, Justin Brooker, Nicki Hutley and Jeff Whitton, bringing experience from construction, business, economics, health and other sectors.
Announced during National Skills Week, which began on August 24, the refreshed board will advise the government on meeting the skills and training needs of individuals, industries, regional communities and the broader NSW economy through the VET system.
Members began their roles on August 1 and will focus on ensuring skills and tertiary education remain responsive to changing economic, regional and workforce requirements.
The appointments follow a review of the board in late 2025, undertaken in response to the NSW Skills Plan. The review recommended refining the board’s focus and appointing members who more accurately reflected the diversity of NSW and those participating in vocational education and training.
Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan said bringing students and employees into the process would help ensure skills policies reflected the experiences of people using the system.
“The best skills policies are built with the people who use the system every day,” Whan said.
“This refreshed board will help us deliver the skills that work, practical training that leads to jobs and a workforce that’s future-ready.”
Bruniges said strengthening vocational education and training and preparing the workforce for the future would be critical to driving the NSW economy forward.