David Coltman has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of TAFE SA.
Mr Coltman brings a wealth of experience from the vocational education and training sector and has an extensive history in the management and delivery of programs that increase participation in training.
He is currently the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Pathways and Vocational Education at Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne and will begin his tenure as the head of South Australia’s public training provider on Monday 15 April this year.
Mr Coltman also has an extensive history in delivering programs that increase the participation of underrepresented communities in further education – in particular, his work with Maori, Pacific and refugee communities in New Zealand is well recognised.
Education Minister John Gardner welcomed Mr Coltman’s appointment while recognising the great work of the Interim Board and Chief Executive over the past year.
“Mr Coltman’s appointment as Chief Executive is a key milestone in delivering the fresh start for TAFE that the Marshall Liberal Government promised South Australians,” said Minister Gardner.
“The Board has undertaken an extensive recruitment process and Mr Coltman brings valuable leadership experience in the vocational education and training sector to the role.
“I wish to thank Alex Reid for her great work as Interim Chief Executive, guiding TAFE SA through a significant period of reform.
“Under Alex’s leadership, the organisation has delivered on a range of measures to address quality matters and taken significant steps towards achieving TAFE SA’s goal of becoming a benchmark for high-quality vocational education in the state.
“This work resulted in the delivery of a positive final audit reported from the training authority (ASQA) in December, delivering a clean bill of health for TAFE SA and representing a significant milestone in restoring the community’s confidence in our public training provider.”
TAFE SA chair Jacqui McGill said that Mr Coltman’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter for the organisation.
“David has extensive leadership experience in the education sector and we look forward to him joining TAFE SA and ensuring we continue to deliver high quality education and training across the state,” said Ms McGill.
“We were fortunate to have a really strong field of candidates apply for the role and we believe that David’s knowledge and experience will provide significant benefits to TAFE SA into the future.
“With the implementation of the State Government’s Fresh Start for TAFE SA, it is an exciting time for David to join the organisation as we focus on the delivery of innovative, flexible and accessible training to meet the needs of students and industry.
“I would also like to thank Alex Reid for her significant contribution to TAFE SA after stepping into the role at a challenging time for the organisation. Since then, a lot of positive change has been made, culminating in TAFE SA recently receiving a positive report from ASQA following its latest audit.”
Mr Coltman said that he was delighted to be joining TAFE SA and was looking forward to getting started.
“I am hugely excited about the future for TAFE SA and I am looking forward to the move to Adelaide,” said Mr Coltman,
“The role of Chief Executive with TAFE SA comes with lots of expectations; it’s a great responsibility and I feel very privileged to be given the opportunity.
“I look forward to working with employers and community leaders, the South Australian Government and TAFE SA staff and students, to make sure we have the right people with the right skills to grow our economy, and to meet the social and cultural needs of South Australia.”
