Commissioner appointed to the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA)
Minister for Vocational Education and Skills, Senator the Hon Scott Ryan, has today announced the appointment of Mr Mark Paterson AO as the Commissioner for Regulatory Operations of the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA).
Minister Ryan said Mr Paterson has extensive experience across government and industry, which will be invaluable in his work of placing ASQA at the forefront of quality assurance across vocational education and training (VET).
“With a distinguished career in the public service, including experience leading government departments at both the state and Commonwealth level, Mr Paterson is well placed to ensure ASQA continues and strengthens its work as the national vocational education and training regulator,” Minister Ryan said.
“I am also pleased to announce the current Chief Commissioner, Chris Robinson, will serve a three month extension to his time at ASQA, finishing his role in December 2016,”
As Australia’s independent national regulator for VET, ASQA was established to provide greater national consistency in the way training providers are registered, courses are accredited, and the quality of the sector is monitored. Minister Ryan said ASQA is integral to ensuring the reputation and integrity of the VET sector.
“Unfortunately the reputation of the VET sector has been tarnished by a few dodgy providers who have accessed the previous Labor government’s VET FEE-HELP scheme,” Minister Ryan said.
“Mr Paterson’s extensive experience will add valuable perspective to ASQA’s leadership, allowing the agency to build on its achievements to date and enhancing its ability to regulate the VET sector.”
Mr Paterson is a former Chief Executive of the NSW Department of Trade and Investment, Regional Infrastructure and Services, and a former Secretary of the Australian Government departments of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, and Industry, Tourism and Resources.
(ENDS)