One of Charles Darwin University’s longest serving executives is taking up the most senior Vocational Education and Training (VET) position in the organisation.
Mr Don Zoellner, who is based in Alice Springs, will take on the role of Pro Vice-Chancellor VET for six months while CDU conducts a nation-wide recruitment search to fill the newly created position.
CDU Vice-Chancellor Professor Barney Glover said the position of Pro Vice-Chancellor VET was created after a recent review of the University’s senior management structure.
Professor Glover said he was delighted that Mr Zoellner had agreed to head the VET portfolio until his retirement.
He said that under the new structure, the position would report directly to the Vice-Chancellor, reaffirming the University’s commitment to VET.
Mr Zoellner, who was previously Pro Vice-Chancellor Community and Access, said that as part of the role he would represent CDU at Territory and national levels in discussions on policy and funding for the VET sector.
“My brief includes ensuring that our VET offerings are aligned with the NT’s plan for the future, Territory 2030, and the Commonwealth’s various employment programs that have a training component,” he said.
High on the agenda would be the transition of the Australian Technical College Darwin to the CDU Trades Academy, and the roll-out of the Federal program for trade training centres in schools.
Katherine-based Dr Brian Heim would continue to hold the position of Acting Director of VET until the Pro Vice-Chancellor VET was appointed, Professor Glover said.
Director RemoteLink, Paul Fitzsimons will take on a number of Community and Access responsibilities pending the appointment of the Director Community Engagement, who will be based in Alice Springs.