Board of Directors

The ACPET Board of Directors is committed to effective corporate governance. The ACPET  Corporate Governance Policy forms the basis for all decision making and action.

The Policy sets out key principles and limitations relating to the ACPET Board of Directors governance role and processes. The ACPET Corporate Governance Policy is subject to regular review.

Martin Cass

Martin.Cass@acpet.edu.au

• National Chair
• Director representing NSW (since 2008)
• Director, JMC Academy

Martin Cass has a lifelong dedication to the continuous improvement in the quality of education and training standards provided by the tertiary private sector. As evidenced by his establishment of JMC Academy in 1982, and his pursuit of a Doctorate in Education.

The JMC Academy is a dual sector education provider with campuses in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. The Academy pioneered of the first fully accredited courses in Audio Engineering (1991), Multimedia (1996), and Digital Television (2000), and despite challenges continues to provide very high educational standards. 

Martin has served on numerous accreditation and advisory panels in the education and training sector, including:

• VETAB accreditation panels
• CREATE Australia advisory panel for the development of Music and Entertainment industry Training Packages and competency standards the curriculum advisory panel for the Graduate Diploma in Design Science (Audio) at
• the University of Sydney; AUSMUSIC education advisory panels
• Australian Contemporary Music Institute ACMI panel
• and a variety of Arts Training NSW advisory panels.

Martin joined ACPET in 1994, and has made active contributions to various ACPET initiatives including the Benchmarking Sub-committee and the Higher Education Sub-committee.

Martin’s has contributed numerous published articles and presentations to industry forums and conferences. He also holds a Masters in Recording Arts from Macquarie University and a Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training.

Mel Koumides

Mel.Koumides@acpet.edu.au

• Deputy National Chair
• Director representing Victoria (since 2010)
• Director, Academia International

Mel is a director and co-founder of Academia International, a private educational institution delivering ELICOS, Pathway to University and Trade Courses to both local and international students. Academia International offers over 30 courses delivered to more than 50 nationalities.

Previously, Mel worked in information technology for large multinational organisations including Siemens, Fujitsu and Teradata. He has held consulting and managerial roles, heading professional consulting services based in Australia and the Asia Pacific region.

Mel belongs to the ACPET Victorian state and International committee. He holds a Bachelor of Applied Science majoring in Computer Science for RMIT.

Gurdeep Singh Dhillon

Gurdeep.Dhillon@acpet.edu.au

• Director representing Category 2, 3, 4 Members (since 2011)
• CEO, Australian Institute of Technical Training (AITT)

Gurdeep is the founder and CEO of the Australian Institute of Technical Training (AITT). The Starting with four students the Institute now has more than 400 International Students from 13 different nationalities offering 17 qualifications across different streams. Previously, Gurdeep held academic positions with Victoria and Latrobe University and maintains academic involvement.

As an International student, Gurdeep studied at Canberra University for his Masters and Doctorate at Victoria University. Gurdeep also holds a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and Diploma in VET Registration and Management.

Gurdeep was part of the ACPET delegation to India in 2010 to promote private education providers. He has been involved in consultations with AUSTRADE and the Australia India Institute on behalf of ACPET. He is a strong advocate for providing quality choices in the education and training sector and promoting private providers both in Australia and overseas.

Gurdeep is the member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Mark Hopkins

Mark.hopkins@acpet.edu.au

• Director representing Category 5, 6 & 7 Members (since 2012)
• Executive Vice President, Hillsong International Leadership College

With over twenty years of experience in the field of education and training, Mark Hopkins is the CEO of Hillsong International Leadership College in Sydney.   Under Mark’s leadership, the college has shown continual growth in student numbers and currently boasts two thriving Sydney campuses that offer both day and evening courses, along with extension programs in various locations around the world.  He oversees a student population of over 1100 full time students and a total student population of around 2500.
 
Mark describes his motivation as the desire to see men and women be trained and equipped to reach their potential and lead effective lives.  His role overseeing the college has enabled this desire to be realised, with thousands of domestic and international graduates now applying what they have learned at Hillsong International Leadership College with great success and influence.
 
Mark is also the current President of the Pentecostal and Charismatic Bible College Association and a board member of the Asia Pacific Theological Association.

Stephen Pasfield

Stephen.pasfield@acpet.edu.au

• Director representing Category 8 & Corporate members (since 2012)
• National Training Manager, Access Training Pty Ltd

Steve Pasfield is the National training Manager for Access Training Institute which also includes Kirana Training.  Steve holds graduate and post graduate qualifications and has an extensive background and professional development path in the VET Sector – he started in VET when he joined the Navy and undertook his Electrical Fitters Trade (some many, many years ago!). 
 
Steve was involved in Trade Training whilst in the Navy and on leaving the Navy in the late 90’s moved into the VET Sector working for a Newcastle based RTO, from there he went on to be one of the founding owners/directors of the J2S Group (5 RTO’s under the one umbrella).
 
Steve has a solid background in operational management of RTO’s, management of Training Package implementation in the workplace, and a strong focus on ensuring that VET delivery meets the needs of industry, employers, students, government agencies, and the tax payer. 
 

Jenny Field

Jenny.Field@acpet.edu.au

• Director representing Queensland (since 2011)
• Academic Manager, Prime Learning and the Australian College of Training and Employment

Jenny Field is the Academic Manager of Prime Learning and the Australian College of Training and Employment. These RTOs deliver accredited training to over 5,000 students per year, specialising in traineeships, workplace and focussed classroom delivery.

Prior to Prime, Jenny owned and operated Specialised Training Services for 10 years and understands the concerns and needs of small private providers.

Jenny has worked in the adult education field since 1990, and is passionate about providing tailored training to students. Jenny has successfully implemented alternative education programs, community mentoring training, structured workplace delivery, and vocational training partnerships in schools and for industry.

Jenny serves on other committees and boards in Queensland, including SCISCO Career Pathways. QLD Overseas Student Foundation, the QLD Vet PD Steering Committee, and the Logan Industry, Schools and Community Taskforce.

Richard Finlayson

Richard.Finalyson@acpet.edu.au

• Director representing South Australia (since 2010)
• Group Managing Director, Quality Training & Hospitality College

Richard has been the owner of Quality Training and Hospitality College (QT&HC), for the last 15 years. QT&HC is a South Australian based private training company, with offices in Adelaide and Sydney but also delivering in Queensland and Victoria. The College was formed in 1992 and trains domestic and international students. Last year the College trained over 1,000 students in hospitality programs.

Prior to QT&HC, Richard worked in Hospitality and Retail in Australia, Scotland, France and South Africa.

Richard completed his Hospitality Diploma in three different continents, starting in Johannesburg, South Africa, transferring to Edinburgh in Scotland, and completing the qualification at Regency Park in Adelaide, Australia. Richard has first-hand knowledge of different teaching methodologies, training packages and educational ideologies.

Nicole Gayewski

Nicole.Gayewski@acpet.edu.au

• Director representing Tasmania (since 2011)
• Tasmanian State Manager, MEGT Institute

Nicole Gayewski is the Tasmanian State Manager of MEGT Institute, the education and training division of MEGT (Australia) Ltd delivering accredited training to domestic and international students. MEGT (Australia) Ltd is a private, not for profit education, training and employment organisation with offices throughout Australia and in the UK.

Nicole has worked in the education, employment and labour market sectors since 1992 holding senior operational and managerial roles. Nicole has strengthened management’s core RTO operation and diversified the business to train and support students with a disability.

Sean Mahoney

Sean.Mahoney@acpet.edu.au

• Director representing Northern Territory (since 2012)
• Managing Director, International College of Advanced Education (ICAE)

ICAE is a private not for profit RTO and has been offering domestic and international programmes in VET since 1998. ICAE has had a particular focus on the hospitality and tourism sector, in addition to remote Indigenous training delivery. ICAE has won numerous Awards for tourism and indigenous education, and recently and export award winner in the Northern Territory.

Sean has experience in VET both in Australia and overseas, including working in several third world countries on Aid projects including TVET reform.
 

He previously was a Director on the National Board from 2005 to 2008 and also filled the casual Northern Territory vacancy on the ACPET National Board during 2011/12. 

Sean has also been the Chairman of the International Business Council of the Northern Territory since 2006.

Karen Nicholas

Karen.Nicholas@acpet.edu.au

• Director representing the Australian Capital Territory (since 2012)
• Director, Learning Options