Our Advisory Board guides and supports our strategic direction by providing independent and expert advice when needed, helping us to achieve our purpose and objectives.
On this page:
Our Board members have expertise and capability in the following areas:
- career navigation and support
- education, skills and training
- employment and industry
- market insights, research and innovation
- targeted communications, advocacy and analysis
- data and digital delivery.
The responsibilities of our Board are described in the Board’s Terms of Reference.
The NCI and the Board meets regularly. The latest update from this meeting can be found below:
National Careers Institute Advisory Board Communiqué – 7 June 2024
The National Careers Institute (NCI) Advisory Board (the Board) meeting was held virtually on Friday 7 June 2024.
Michelle Ayyuce, Chair
Michelle Ayyuce presently serves as the Chair of the National Careers Institute Advisory Board. Over the past decade, Michelle has dedicated her efforts to supporting women navigating returning after a career break. In Michelle's capacity as Co-Director at ZIPWIRE, Michelle developed frameworks and best practices that addressed systematic barriers faced by women upon their return. Michelle's contributions extend to her role at Cisco, where she co-leads the Back to Business team, with a focus on fostering supportive environments for professional reengagement.
Erica Smith
Erica Smith is an Emeritus Professor of Vocational Education and Training at the Institute of Education, Arts and Community, Federation University. Professor Smith's main research specialisation is apprenticeships. Other areas of expertise include VET teachers and their qualifications, VET policy, industry training, the conceptualisation of skill in work, and young people and work. She has a wide range of experience in VET and industry, and has played a leadership role in several national and international VET organisations.
Corey Tutt OAM
Adjunct Associate Professor Corey Tutt OAM is a proud Gamilaraay man from Port Macquarie, NSW. Mr Tutt is the CEO and founder of DeadlyScience, which is a non-government organisation that provides science resources, mentoring and training to over a hundred remote and regional schools across Australia with a particular focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Charlene Davison
Charlene Davison, proud Biripi & Gadigal woman, is the Chief Executive Officer of the GO Foundation. Founded by Adam Goodes and Michael O'Loughlin, the mission of the GO Foundation is to empower young First Nations people through education. Through the delivery of its holistic Scholarship Program and putting culture at the heart of everything they do, the GO Foundation supports students from primary to tertiary in Sydney, Adelaide and Canberra and is committed to ensuring they deliver the best possible outcomes for First Nations students in the long-term.
Rob Bonner
Mr Rob Bonner is the Chair of HumanAbility, the Jobs and Skills Council for the Health, Human Services, Early Childhood and Sport & Recreation sectors. Mr Bonner retired from his role as executive director in June 2023, after 38 years with the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation SA Branch. Mr Bonner has been recognised for his outstanding contribution to the advancement of VET practice and skills development with the Outstanding Achievement in the VET and Skills Sector Award at the 2022 Australian Training Awards. A new nursing scholarship was announced in August 2023 in recognition of Mr Bonner's impact on the nursing industry.
Laura Angus, ex-officio member
Laura Angus is the Executive Director of the National Careers Institute and a First Assistant Secretary within the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations. Laura has held various senior leadership positions across the APS, including most recently leading the Economic Reform Taskforce and heading up the Payment Integrity Division in the Department of Education, Skills and Employment.
Professor Barney Glover AO, ex-officio member
Professor Barney Glover AO, began his five-year term as Commissioner of Jobs and Skills Australia on 15 April 2024. Professor Glover is a distinguished academic leader, an accomplished mathematician and mathematics educator with significant experience in developing strong relationships with the vocational education sector. Professor Glover has served as the Vice-Chancellor and President of Western Sydney University for ten years, from 2014-24, and in 2019 was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to tertiary education, professional associations, and cultural organisations. In 2015, Professor Glover was awarded the title of Emeritus Professor for his outstanding leadership whilst Vice-Chancellor of Charles Darwin University from 2009 to 2013.
Professor Glover is well respected for his engagement with First Nations Australians and disadvantaged communities. He has served on the boards of a diverse range of corporate organisations and several state and national centres covering areas such as health and medical research, energy, mineral exploration, and telecommunications.