South Australia appoints new Skills Commissioner, Helen Gibbons (UWU) joins panel

The South Australian Government has appointed a new Skills Commissioner, and has announced a refreshed panel to assist the commissioner in his decision making. The panel includes United Workers Union (UWU) Executive Director of early education Helen Gibbons.

Cameron Baker is the new skills commissioner, and will serve a five-year term, commencing in July. Mr Baker has been appointed to the role after the inaugural commissioner Renee Hindmarsh stepped down to relocate interstate due to family reasons.

He has an extensive background in senior executive and advisory positions in higher education and the skills sector in Victoria and nationally.

Currently, Mr Baker is a senior consultant in skills and labour for the National Transport Commission. Prior to this, he established Apprenticeships Victoria and led a team focused on getting more people into apprenticeships and traineeship, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds.

Mr Baker also previously served as the Director and Acting Skills Commissioner of the Victorian Skills Commission.

The SA Skills Commission was established in 2021 to ensure the state’s skills system is more flexible, easier to navigate and geared towards workforce needs with strong industry engagement. The Commission advises on how the skills sector is performing and engages directly with industry and employers to deliver the skills they need for future jobs in South Australia.

Along with Mr Baker’s appointment, the following have also been appointed to the Skills Commission for a period of two years:

*Helen Gibbons – Director (Early Childhood Education), United Workers Union
*Louise Nobes- CEO, KIK Innovation
*John Chapman – Former Small Business Commissioner
*Leonie Boothby – CEO, Regional Development Australia Barossa Gawler Light Adelaide Plains
*Andy Keough – Managing Director, SAAB Australia
*Ian Horne – CEO, Australian Hotels Association
*Michael Luchich – State and Territory Director (SA and NT), Optus
*Adrienne Nieuwenhuis – Commissioner, Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency
*Stuart Gordon – SA Assistant Secretary, Australian Manufacturing Workers Union
*Robyn Verrall – South-East farmer (Founder, Bully’s Meat), 2022 SA AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award Winner