VEA Directors

Alan is the Executive Officer - Victorian Curriculum Maintenance Manager (CMM), Business Industries based at Chisholm Institute in Melbourne. The CMM Business Industries covers a diverse set of industry areas that includes: Business Services, Financial Services, Information Technology, Local Government, Public Administration, Property Services, Public Safety and Correctional Services.

Alan's accountabilities for the CMM function include providing advice to Skills Victoria and the VET sector in general regarding Training Package development and implementation, curriculum and training &assessment materials.

Alan is an experienced VET administrator with some 25 years at a Senior Management level in TAFE institutes and the State Public Service.During this time, Alan has been involved with training program design and implementation both at State and National levels, was instrumental in establishing Practice Firms in Victoria and was a member of the Australian Network of Practice Firms National Operations Committee.

Alan is an Accreditation Adviser for the Victorian Registration & Qualifications Authority, a Quality Assurance Consultant for the Commonwealth Department of Education Employment and Workplace Relations and Chair of the Australian National Heads of Business Studies Forum.

Cinthia has over 20 years of experience and expertise in education both as a teacher and in management in the vocational education and training sector. Having held a range of National Management roles in Industry Skills Council for 12 years, Cinthia brings problem solving capability and a wide range of skills to her latest role as Director of Professional Development Services.

Donna's major focus in education and training is on practical learning applications and translating curricula and training packages into delivery strategies. She introduced the 'practice firm' model to Australia and established the Australian Network of Practice Firms (ANPF) as a member of the Canberra Institute of Technology. Since 1994 she has been closely involved with the network and its continued development.

Donna's extensive experience in educational administration and project management has encompassed both national and international work. As the ANPF Network Manager, she worked with all state and territory networks and contributed to meetings of the Practice Enterprises Network - International (EUROPEN e.v). She was the project manager of Federal Government funding to establish and extend the network during 1994-2001, and to trial the development of an APEC Network of Industrial Technology Practice Firms in Pacific Rim countries 1997-9. She currently operates her own small business in southern NSW and is the project manager for the McDonald's Virtual Business Program.

Ernest Stabek is a CA (Chartered Accountant), FCPA (Fellow CPA), and is Principal in the Melbourne Office of S.I.P. Management Consultants.

Ernest's specific skills lie in business renewal guidance with an emphasis on growth through independent review of governance and value frameworks, risk reviews and practical strategic planning. Ernest holds a Bachelor of Business Degree from Edith Cowen University and is an OGC accredited Gateway Review Team Member and DTF Victoria trained Investment Management Standard facilitator.

Ernest has been working with a number of Commercial and Government businesses in assisting them to establish common sense frameworks for business in Australia and providing them with strategic direction, trusted advice and collaboration opportunities to develop their businesses. Ernest is involved in a number of Professional Associations including MACS (Member of Australian Computer Society), MAIM (Member Australian Institute of Management) and MAICD (Member Australian Institute of Company Directors) and is currently chair person for the IT&T Special Interest Group - Victoria for Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia.

Ernest is also currently involved in establishing and promoting a number of new business ventures in the consulting services, including strategic planning systems, professional facilitations including investment logic mapping, futures scenarios planning and quality, risk management and executive skills development areas. His focus on these businesses is to build sustainable value for people and companies by aiding innovation, common sense logic and adaptability to change through continuous learning.

Human Resource Executive, Career Transition, Change Management, Executive Coach, Workplace Trainer, & Speaker. A highly qualified and internationally experienced Human Resources (HR) professional, Helena spent her first 20 years, working in HR and Industrial Relations roles. Helena is passionate about career management, and spent many years assisting women, graduates, apprentices, CEO's and other executives to "find their right place" in jobs, and to become better leaders! Working and qualifying as, a trained Executive Coach and Career Mentor to coach others, was an easy transition from HRM. A former Victorian President for the Australian Human Resources Institute, she is a current AHRI Fellow. Helena is also a Professional Member of the Career Development Association Australia, CDAA, and Professional Member of the National Speakers Association Australia NSAA. Helena joined the board in July 2010