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MACKENZIE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Advisory board

Meet the Mackenzie Research Institute leaders.

The advisory board of the Mackenzie Research Institute consists of:

Director, Mackenzie Research Institute
Adjunct Professor, Future of Employment and Skills Research Centre, University of Adelaide

Tom is one of Australia’s most experienced researchers in vocational education training as well as a former National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) Chief Executive. He is the author or co-author of over 80 papers published by NCVER. Tom has held senior appointments in the Australian government areas of education, employment, labour market research and the Bureau of Statistics.

In 2017 Professor Karmel was made a member (AM) of the General Division of the Order of Australia for “significant service to vocational education research and administration, and to the community through public administration roles”.

Bruce Mackenzie has dedicated his working life to Australia’s vocational education and training (VET) sector. Formerly chief executive of Holmesglen, Bruce was the chair of the Victorian government funding review 2015 to 2016. He is one of four members of the management unit that in 1981 created the Victorian TAFE board and the Victorian TAFE college system.

Throughout his 30 plus years in the sector, Bruce established a reputation as an innovator and leader, not only in the TAFE sector, but in formally and informally developing networks to build capacity, mentoring others and providing strong advocacy on behalf of the VET sector. He also made a significant contribution through the development of innovative products and practices in technical and vocational education.

In 2017, the Australian Government formally recognised Bruce’s unique contribution to the sector in awarding him the Australian Training Awards - Lifetime Achievement Award.

Adjunct Professor, Education, Monash University

Gerald is the former Director of the Monash University Centre for the Economics of Education and Training (CEET). His expertise and experience includes appointments as Chair of the Victorian Qualifications Authority and member of the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority.

From 2008 to 2013, Gerald was a member of the boards of Skills Australia and the Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency, which advised the Commonwealth Minister on skills and workforce development.

In 2011 he was on a panel that undertook public consultations on the Victorian review of fees and funding in vocational education and training. Gerald holds the position of Honorary Principal Fellow, Melbourne Centre for the Study of Higher Education, at the University of Melbourne. His research areas include participation and quality in education and training, financing of education and training, and the relation between education and employment.

Steve was a former Minister for Training and Skills, International Education and Corrections in the Victorian Andrews government. In this role, Steve contributed to the transformation of Victoria’s training and International education system, implementing major reforms and overseeing government departments critical to Victoria’s future prosperity. He has been an advocate for vocational education and training and access for students for three decades.

Pam has 30+ years of experience in education, vocational education and training (VET), employment, and industry across leadership, advisory, advocacy, and research positions. She has a comprehensive understanding of the state and national education and training systems; and a deep knowledge of the skill needs and development challenges that they are designed to meet.

Her perspectives are shaped by working within the vocational education and training sector as a senior policy advisor, researcher and advocate; and by working in similar roles in industry/employer associations giving her a strong depth of knowledge and experience from the employer perspective of the education and training sectors.

Robin has more than thirty years’ experience in vocational education and training in Australia and England, with roles in management, policy development, teaching and resource centres and in government policy think tanks.

From 2005 to 2009 Robin was the Chief Executive of City of Westminster College in London and Director of the TAFE NSW Western Sydney Institute which includes the large online provider, Open Training and Education Network (OTEN) from October 2014 to March 2017.

Previously he was Chief Executive of the Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency (AWPA also known for a time as Skills Australia) which was an independent body advising the Australian Government on workforce development and workforce skill needs.