ATN welcomes appointment of new Jobs and Skills commissioner
13 February 2024The Australian Technology Network of Universities (ATN) says the appointment of Professor Barney Glover AO as the new Commissioner of Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) is a crucial next step in the building of a more integrated and cohesive tertiary education system.
The Australian Technology Network of Universities (ATN) says the appointment of Professor Barney Glover AO as the new Commissioner of Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) is a crucial next step in the building of a more integrated and cohesive tertiary education system.
ATN Chair, Professor Harlene Hayne CNZM, has welcomed the announcement today by Minister for Skills and Training, Brendan O’Connor.
“We commend the Federal Government on this decision and congratulate Professor Glover on his appointment, as our institutions, industry and governments will be working together to deliver the skilled future workforce needed for Australia,” said Prof Hayne.
“ATN warmly welcomed the Government’s establishment of JSA and our group of universities looks forward to working closely with Professor Glover, who has long displayed a great commitment to a unified approach between Higher Education and Vocational Education.”
Prof Glover, who will begin as Commissioner in April, is Vice-Chancellor and President of Western Sydney University and his previous roles have included Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research at the University of Newcastle and Pro Vice-Chancellor, Research and Development at Curtin University. ATN believes that, with 90 per cent of new jobs over the next five years requiring a tertiary qualification and half of all new positions created in need of a university degree, it is more vital than ever that at all parts of the education pipeline work to ensure equity, excellence and success.
ATN Interim Executive Director, Frank Coletta, said fostering accessible and flexible pathways in post-secondary education is critical for lifelong learning and development of Australia’s modern workforce.
“ATN has consistently championed a universal approach to tertiary education, within a framework which recognises the distinctive contributions of higher education and vocational education and training,” he said.
“This is an exciting development for our sector and we at ATN Universities are ready to work in partnership with Professor Glover and his team at JSA, and to assist in any way for the benefit of the entire system.”
Media Contact:
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The Australian Technology Network of Universities (ATN) was established in 1999 and brings together six of Australia’s leading universities focused on enterprise, impact and finding solutions to issues facing our rapidly changing economy and society. Our member universities are Curtin University, Deakin University, RMIT University, The University of Newcastle, University of South Australia, and University of Technology Sydney. Our universities produce Australia’s most job-ready graduates and undertake world-class research with real-world impact. Through our innovation and leadership, we are proud disruptors challenging the status quo. ATN universities provide world-class education to almost 310,000 students and teach 20 per cent of domestic higher education students, along with 19 per cent of international students and we are the fastest-growing university grouping in terms of domestic students. Together, we are proud of who we include, not exclude, with a strong commitment to equity, excellence, and social justice. ATN is one of Australia’s leading university peak bodies with a track record of advocating and shaping positive policy outcomes with all levels of government
