Speakers
Click on the speaker's photo to read their complete biography.
Craig Randazzo
Craig Randazzo is a huge supporter of NAEN and the GTO sector having recently finished ten years as CEO of Skillset, a large GTO based in the Central West of NSW. During his tenure, Craig led strategies that strengthened financial sustainability while ensuring services delivered genuine value to apprentices, trainees and host employers. Craig also founded the region’s first Special Assistance High School, Skillset Senior College, catering for young people in years 10 to 12 who were unable to complete their schooling in a mainstream environment. The College continues across two campuses today, and has graduated over 800 students since inception, and employs over 50 specialist teachers and support staff.
Craig is currently living out his long-held dream of being a high-school teacher, combining this part-time role with various consulting assignments through For Purpose Consulting. Craig has tertiary qualifications in Psychology, Education and Management and is passionate about the life-changing impact that Group Training Organisations deliver for young people.
Commissioner Cameron Baker
With over two decades in the VET sector, Cameron Baker serves as South Australia's Skills Commissioner. Engaging stakeholders across industry and training, he is passionate about effective and safe training for a dynamic and skilled workforce.
The Hon. Andrew Giles MP
The Hon. Andrew Giles MP was first elected to the Australian Parliament as the member for Scullin in 2013 and currently serves as the Minister for Skills and Training in the Albanese Government.
Before coming to Parliament, Minister Giles advocated for workers’ rights as a solicitor specialising in employment law. Building on his work in law and justice, Minister Giles acted on behalf of the asylum seekers on the MV Tampa and worked in the Victorian Government.
Since joining the Australian Labor Party at 18 years old, Minister Giles has strongly campaigned for opportunity for all. As the member for Scullin, he continues this work by being a strong voice for the Northern Suburbs in Parliament.
Minister Giles is married to Dr Jillian Constable, and they have two children.
Jason van Genderen
Jason is an award-winning filmmaker, storyteller and mentor whose work – including the internationally acclaimed documentary Everybody’s Oma – has reached more than 100 million viewers worldwide. With four decades in creative industries and global recognition for his smartphone storytelling techniques, Jason brings a powerful blend of creativity, authenticity and heart.
At NAEN 2026, Jason will lead an immersive storytelling experience, “Lost for Words.” His program includes:
- Day 1 Plenary Keynote on the power of human-centred storytelling
- Day 2 Micro-Story Masterclass with practical tools you can use immediately
- A VideoAsk story portal to collect real apprentice and employer stories
- A ‘Lost for Words’ teaser reel premiered during Friday’s closing session
Alison Pennington
Alison Pennington is an economist and writer who investigates economic and social issues facing Australia and working people.
She is Chief Economist at The McKell Institute, and author of the widely acclaimed Gen F’d. Alison is a regular media commentator, with her writing published in the AFR, Saturday Paper, The Age, and The Conversation. She is an Adjunct Senior Research Fellow in Politics, Philosophy and Economics with La Trobe University, and a former senior advisor to Cabinet ministers in the Albanese Labor Government.
Evangelene Rushforth
After swapping her law books for heavy tools, Evangelene has never looked back. She initially pursued a Bachelor of Law and Arts, but after three years of higher education, she began to crave a more hands-on and technical career. Evangelene’s decision led her to the engineering trades, where she completed a Certificate III in Engineering - Mechanical Trade through Charles Darwin University (RTO) and the GTNT Group (GTO).
As a qualified mechanical fitter with the Groote Eylandt Mining Company (GEMCO), Evangelene is thriving in practical, team-based environments and takes pride in her strong work ethic, positive attitude, and eagerness to learn.
As a proud role model for women entering non-traditional trades, Evangelene actively encourages others to follow their interests with confidence. Looking forward, she hopes to expand her skills and take on leadership roles within the engineering industry.
Through VET, Evangelene has discovered her passion.
Alison Pennington
Alison Pennington is an economist and writer who investigates economic and social issues facing Australia and working people.
She is Chief Economist at The McKell Institute, and author of the widely acclaimed Gen F’d. Alison is a regular media commentator, with her writing published in the AFR, Saturday Paper, The Age, and The Conversation. She is an Adjunct Senior Research Fellow in Politics, Philosophy and Economics with La Trobe University, and a former senior advisor to Cabinet ministers in the Albanese Labor Government.
Alison Pennington
Alison Pennington is an economist and writer who investigates economic and social issues facing Australia and working people.
She is Chief Economist at The McKell Institute, and author of the widely acclaimed Gen F’d. Alison is a regular media commentator, with her writing published in the AFR, Saturday Paper, The Age, and The Conversation. She is an Adjunct Senior Research Fellow in Politics, Philosophy and Economics with La Trobe University, and a former senior advisor to Cabinet ministers in the Albanese Labor Government.
Panel: What’s Going on with Apprenticeships?
Dr Vanda Fortunato
Dr Vanda Fortunato is an accomplished executive and board leader with more than 25 years of experience in senior strategic and leadership roles across Australia and internationally. She brings a broad and deep background spanning private equity, public health, primary care, not-for-profit organisations, academia, pharmaceuticals, health insurance, and management consulting.
Vanda has served as Chief Executive Officer of two not-for-profit organisations and has held senior executive positions across a range of complex organisations, including within private equity environments. Her international experience includes working in developing countries with the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank.
- Currently, Vanda serves as Chair of AMES Australia, Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust, Early Childhood Management Services, and Integrated Living Australia
Aaron Hines
Aaron Hines is the Executive Director, Products & Projects at Service and Creative Skills Australia (SaCSA). Aaron has over 15 years of experience in the for-profit and not-for-profit Vocational Education and Training sector and has successfully led registered training organisations across various industries.
Since joining SaCSA, Aaron has led the design and development of Training Products and Industry Projects. He is responsible for managing their development, implementation, promotion, and monitoring while also overseeing stakeholder consultation and engagement in education and training.
Aaron previously held leadership roles including Director at ARA Retail Institute, Owner/CEO of Fluent Education, General Manager at Builders Academy Australia, and Regional Manager at Navitas Professional. He has also contributed to industry governance as Chair of the Industry Reference Committee (Retail/Wholesale) and as a member of NSW WRAPS IRC, VIC Services IAG, QLD Retail IAG, and various other education and industry committees.
Emma King OAM
Emma King OAM became HumanAbility’s first CEO in September 2023, bringing extensive experience in workforce, education and social advocacy. She previously led VCOSS and the Early Childhood Assocation Australia, and began her career as a teacher before holding senior government advisory roles. Emma serves on several boards, including the Victorian Skills Authority, and received the OAM 2023 for her community service.
Adrian Lea
Adrian Lea is a seasoned vocational education leader with more than 20 years’ experience driving reform, innovation, and operational excellence across Victoria. He has delivered education across corrections, defence, aviation, trades and VET in schools, combining strategic foresight with hands-on execution. Adrian champions learner-centric, future-ready solutions that align workforce development with industry needs and government priorities.
Anthea Middleton
Anthea Middleton is an Energy industry leader in workforce planning and development. After completing her Bachelor of International Business and Human Resources, Anthea honed her leadership capabilities working across various industries, including tech, finance, mining, energy and government. Anthea has grown and refined her skills in a range of challenging work environments, from relatively new start-ups to small not-for-profits, all the way to world leading multinationals like Facebook.
Anthea is the CEO for Powering Skills Organisation – a jobs and skills council for the energy sector in Australia. PSO is focused on industry workforce research, development, policy, engagement, and training sector enhancement. Anthea brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role, with recent achievements including contributing future workforce skilling research for Australia’s electricity networks, electrotechnology contractors, and the Coal Seam Gas industry.
Anthea is the CEO for Powering Skills Organisation – a jobs and skills council for the energy sector in Australia. PSO is focused on industry workforce research, development, policy, engagement, and training sector enhancement. Anthea has grown and refined her skills in a range of challenging work environments, from relatively new start-ups to small not-for-profits, all the way to world leading multinationals like Facebook.
Dugald Murray
Dugald Murray is Chief Executive Officer of Skills Insight, the federal Jobs and Skills Council responsible for the agribusiness, fibre, furnishing, food, animal and environment care industries.
With more than 20 years’ experience across government, industry and the not-for-profit sector, Dugald specialises in government relations, policy and systems reform.
Before joining Skills Insight, he was CEO of the Victorian TAFE Association, where he secured critical funding, drove strategic renewal and led the successful negotiation of multi-employer workplace agreements for Victorian TAFE teaching and professional staff.
His career includes senior roles as Executive Director at the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Director of Strategic Advice and Collaboration at the Victorian Skills Authority. He has served as Chief of Staff and Senior Adviser to federal and state ministers, and held policy roles with the Australian, Victorian and Canadian governments. A former non-executive director of the Australian Energy Foundation and ICN Victoria, Dugald holds a Bachelor of Economics
Sharon Robertson
Sharon Robertson is CEO of the Manufacturing Industry Skills Alliance, the Jobs and Skills Council for Australia’s manufacturing sector.
She leads national collaboration between industry, government and training providers to address workforce and skills challenges shaping the future of manufacturing.
Sharon has more than 20 years’ experience in vocational education, skills policy and industry engagement and is Chair of the Tuition Protection Service Advisory Board.
Brett Schimming
Brett Schimming is the Chief Executive Officer of BuildSkills Australia. BuildSkills was created under the Australian Government’s Jobs and Skills Council Program to address skills and training needs and deliver the nation’s workforce plan for the Built Environment sector.
BuildSkills is an active partner in the national conversation around jobs and skills, listening to industry and translating their concerns into evidence-based policy and program responses.
Brett has amassed over 20 years of experience and knowledge across the Vocational Education and Training and Building and Construction sectors. He has qualifications in education, business, and public policy, and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management and the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Brett has been a Member of the Australian Industry Skills and Industry Committee.