The great skills reset: Who should own Australia’s workforce?

Professor Paul Mazerolle is Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ). An internationally recognised academic leader, he has held senior leadership roles in Australia and Canada, including as President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of New Brunswick. Professor Mazerolle brings a strong focus on aligning education and research with workforce and community needs, and on strengthening the role of universities in driving regional growth and impact.

Tim Rawlings brings extensive experience to his role as Chief Executive Officer of TAFE Queensland, with more than 20 years in professional services and public policy. For the past 12 years, he has advised on key elements of the national VET system, including serving as Head of Training Products for a Skills Service Organisation. As a Partner at PwC Australia and Scyne Advisory, he focused on skills reform and capability uplift. Tim is a recognised expert in VET system transformation, skills policy and organisational capability, with strong relationships across the sector and a deep understanding of how industry skill needs align with training delivery.

Michelle Farquhar is Head of Queensland at the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group), representing businesses across manufacturing, construction, engineering and other key sectors. She leads Ai Group’s engagement with industry and government on workforce capability, skills and training, and industrial relations. Michelle brings a direct employer perspective to workforce policy, working with businesses to address skills shortages and advocate for more responsive, industry-aligned training systems.

Megan Mailman is Managing Partner, HR Advisory at Luminary Partners, where she works with organisations to strengthen workforce capability, performance, and organisational design. A co-owner of Luminary’s HR advisory business, she is a former Head of Human Resources at Bank of Queensland and QSuper. Megan brings a practical perspective on how organisations can respond to skills pressures and align their workforce with evolving business needs.

Dr Ali Jaquet is Director (Support for Learning) at the University of Southern Queensland, where she leads initiatives that embed student success, career development, and wellbeing into the learning experience. With a background in higher education research and practice, she has led work in student engagement, academic advising, and equitable access across the sector. Ali brings a strong perspective on how universities can better support student success and align learning with future workforce needs.