Richard Owen has commenced with Charles Darwin University’s (CDU) Academic Quality, Planning and VET (AQPVET) office in the role of Senior VET Advisor.
Richard has over 15 years experience in vocational and technical education (VET) delivery and management across a range of industry areas including forestry, resource management, seafood/aquaculture and workplace training and assessment. For the last two years he has worked with the School of Science and Primary Industries at CDU.
‘I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to work with all CDU staff to develop and enhance the quality of CDU’s VET provision to all Territorians,’ said Richard. ‘With changing industry skills requirements it is important for us to ensure that we match VET provision to current industry demand for specific skills and more generic employability skills.
‘The challenge ahead for Charles Darwin University is to provide quality training outcomes that will contribute to the economic development of the Northern Territory with a client focussed business approach to the services we provide,’ he said.
Richard has also identified a need, in tandem with industry, for CDU to continue developing and delivering responsive training programs to Indigenous communities and clients with the aim of achieving sustainable and real employment outcomes that meet the communities needs now, and contribute to building a prosperous future.
‘CDU has great future in being a leader of VET provision, however we need to continue to build a robust, agile, efficient and customer focussed business approach to our delivery and management of VET,’ he said.