Minister for Skills and Training, the hon Andrew Giles MP has announced that Ms Megan Lilly and Mr Trevor Gauld have been appointed as the new Deputy Commissioners of Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA). 

Giles congratulated the pair on their appointment and looks forward to working closely with them to deliver better outcomes for Australian workers.

Both Deputy Commissioners bring experience from their field, having both contributed to reform in the VET sector.

They are well respected in their areas of expertise, and will provide support to the Commissioner, Professor Barney Glover AO, in delivering JSA’s goal of helping the country meet its present and future skills needs.

Megan Lilly is currently the executive director of the Centre for Education & Training at The Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) where she is responsible for the development of all education, training and skills policy, research and advocacy. 

Megan is also a co-deputy chair of the Jobs and Skills Australia Ministerial Advisory Board, board member – Worldskills Australia, the Mansfield Adult Community Education centre and a member of the Qualifications Reform Design Group.

Trevor Gauld is currently the National Assistant Secretary of the Electrical Trades Union and has worked as an electrical tradesperson across different sectors within the electrical industry.

These include power distribution, transmission, electrical maintenance, and industrial construction.

Trevor has held numerous Board Directorships and committee positions, providing strategic advice on skills, training, worker entitlements, immigration and Australia’s trade agenda as well as detailed analysis of climate and clean energy policy.

The Federal Government established JSA to provide independent evidence and advice on current and emerging labour market and workforce skills, and training needs.

The JSA contributes to developing the skills our country needs for a Future Made in Australia and supports the Government’s work in the transition to a net zero economy.

The Deputy Commissioners will help drive JSA’s enhanced tripartite stakeholder engagement, involving the Commonwealth, state and territory governments, industry, employers, unions and training providers.

They are set to facilitate connections and networks across the national skills system, across vocational educational and training (VET), higher education, migration, employment and workplace relations, and related policy areas informing the labour market and economy.

The Deputy Commissioners will also lead the delivery of specific sector capacity, cohort or regional studies, and drive stakeholder engagement activities for these projects.