Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery today welcomed the appointment by the Honourable Chris Dawson APM, Governor of Western Australia, of Helen Smart to the position of Managing Director at North Regional TAFE.
Ms Smart will commence in the role on August 8, 2022.
With a career spanning more than 30 years in the public sector, Ms Smart has extensive experience in senior management roles across the training and education sector.
She is currently employed as Director Training Infrastructure Management at the Department of Training and Workforce Development. During her 12 years in this role, Ms Smart has worked intensively with TAFE colleges across WA and forged strong relationships with industry to lead strategic asset planning for the State training sector's land and building portfolio, including directing $215.8 million in WA Recovery Plan capital projects.
Born in Wyndham, spending her early years in Kununurra, and later working for the Department of Health in Port Hedland, Ms Smart has broad local knowledge of both the Kimberley and Pilbara regions.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Western Australia and a Graduate Diploma in Information and Library Science from Curtin University.
The State Government is making significant progress with increasing the representation of women in senior leadership positions, with five TAFE colleges in WA now having female Managing Directors.
As stated by Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery:
"I congratulate Ms Smart on her appointment and welcome her to the role of Managing Director of North Regional TAFE.
"Ms Smart's background across the training and education sector, coupled with her extensive regional knowledge, will be invaluable in this role.
"I thank Nerida Kickett for her service as Acting Managing Director of North Regional TAFE."
