- Paula Dewhurst appointed Managing Director of North Regional TAFE
- Five-year term commencing 1 October 2024
Minister Assisting the Training and Workforce Development Minister Hannah Beazley has today announced the appointment of Paula Dewhurst to the position of Managing Director at North Regional TAFE.
Ms Dewhurst has commenced a five-year term after being appointed by His Excellency the Honourable Chris Dawson AC APM, Governor of Western Australia.
Minister Beazley acknowledged the service of Ms Dewhurst’s recent predecessors: Helen Smart, who finished up her two years as Managing Director of the college earlier this year, and Melanie Sorensen, who has since acted in the role and is retiring.
Ms Dewhurst brings significant experience to lead North Regional TAFE, the largest provider of training and vocational services in WA’s north.
Ms Dewhurst has worked in education and training for most of the past 40 years, including 17 years in the WA TAFE system and before that as a secondary school educator.
As Executive Director Training Operations and Business Improvement at North Metropolitan TAFE for the past three years, she has led operations for the academic portfolio directors, heads of program, and portfolio administrative coordinators who manage or support more than 1,000 academic staff.
Her experience fostering productive relationships between agencies and with industry will be invaluable in her new role, and for continuing North Regional TAFE’s delivery of industry-relevant training in line with local workforce and student needs.
Ms Dewhurst holds multiple qualifications including a Bachelor of Education – Environmental Science from Deakin University, a Graduate Diploma of Business from Curtin University, and a Graduate Certificate of Public Sector Management from Flinders University.
With 11 campuses from Wyndham in the north to Newman in the south, North Regional TAFE services communities and industries across a region exceeding one million square kilometres.
There were 153,800 publicly funded vocational course enrolments at WA’s TAFEs last year, driven by strong uptake in the WA Labor Government’s fee-free and low-fee courses with high demand continuing in 2024.
The Cook Government’s record $250 million investment in new and upgraded infrastructure at WA TAFEs is also ensuring they have ongoing capacity to deliver world-class, industry-standard training.
As stated by Minister Assisting the Minister for Training and Workforce Development Hannah Beazley:
“Congratulations to Paula Dewhurst on her appointment to Managing Director at North Regional TAFE.
“Ms Dewhurst’s 40 years of experience in education and training will be an asset to North Regional TAFE and the unique and valuable communities the college services.
“Her expertise in making important links with industry and other stakeholders will help to ensure North Regional TAFE continues to deliver the type of industry-relevant training WA TAFEs are known for providing, and that students leave their studies job-ready.
“I would also like to acknowledge the outstanding service of the college’s recently departed managing directors Helen Smart and Melanie Sorensen, and wish them the very best for their future plans.”
