SAGE has appointed a new TAFE National Advisory Committee as it launches the co-design phase of a new gender equity, diversity and inclusion (GEDI) accreditation program for the TAFE sector.
Funded by the Commonwealth Department of Industry, Science and Resources, SAGE is building an evidence-based accreditation program tailored to the distinct workforce realities of the TAFE sector.
Over the past 10 years, SAGE has successfully supported universities and research institutes through a structured accreditation program to drive systemic and sustainable change to remove barriers to gender equality, diversity and inclusion.
Dr Janin Bredehoeft, SAGE CEO, noted that the challenge of moving health and safety approaches beyond compliance is one shared across both the TAFE and university sectors.
“Gender segregation is a persistent challenge for TAFEs across trade and skills domains. However, the solutions need to be bespoke and meet the sector where it is at.
“The TAFE Advisory Committee brings together leaders from across the national TAFE network to ensure the accreditation program is grounded in sector realities,” she said.
“This approach reflects SAGE’s commitment to ensuring that gender equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives are not one-size-fits-all, but are designed from the ground up with and for the sectors they serve.”
The announcement comes as the program enters its consultation phase to ensure it is actively shaped in collaboration with sector practitioners and leaders across the country.
How this committee will support SAGE’s work
The Committee will provide high-level strategic advice throughout the development of the TAFE accreditation program over the next four years. Its primary role is to offer sector-specific insights that inform program development and to support alignment across the sector.
Composed of senior leaders, government representatives, and peak body representatives, the committee will contribute at key decision points across the consultation, co-design, pilot, and national rollout phases.
TAFE Advisory Committee Members
- Paula Dewhurst, Managing Director, North Regional TAFE
- Mary Faraone, Chief Executive, Holmesglen Institute
- Vanessa Kissane, Executive Director, People and Culture, TAFE Queensland
- Adam Kilvert, CEO, TAFE SA
- Chris Koutoulas, Director Workforce Culture, Capability & Change, TAFE NSW
- Megan Lilly, Deputy Commissioner, Jobs and Skills Australia
- Renee Long, CEO, Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education
- Michelle Hoad, Managing Director, North Metropolitan TAFE
- Saxon Rice, CEO, Australian Skills Quality Authority
- Craig Robertson, CEO, Victorian Skills Authority
Progress on developing the new program
The consultation phase is a critical period in which sector voices will directly inform what the accreditation program looks like, what it measures, and how it will work in practice.
TAFE organisations will be invited to engage as the program progresses through consultation, co-design, piloting, and eventually national rollout.
If you are interested in finding out more about the project or participating in the consultation process, please email us: sage@sciencegenderequity.org.au
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