Manager, Centre for First Nations Training

About TAFE Queensland

TAFE Queensland is proud to be the largest and most experienced Vocational Education and Training provider in the State. For more than 140 years, TAFE Queensland has delivered practical and industry-relevant training to provide students with the skills and experience they need to build lifelong careers. TAFE Queensland been named the Large Training Provider of the Year at the prestigious 2024 Australian Training Awards. Our training is delivered to students and apprentices on-site, online, in the workplace, or on-campus to give people the skills they need to enrich their communities, support their industries, and strengthen their local economies.

By working at TAFE Queensland, you can be part of a highly experienced workforce closely connected with their industries and dedicated to delivering best practices and innovative training.

Your Opportunity

As the Manager of the Centre for First Nations Training you will provide strategic leadership, collaborate with stakeholders, develop innovative programs and advocate for First Nations training priorities.

The Manager of the Centre for First Nations Training is responsible for establishing, leading and strengthening effective community engagement across the region, First Nations communities and organisations as well as guiding and supporting staff on culturally appropriate product/program development and service delivery.

This position, in collaboration with a diverse range of stakeholders, provides advice and support to ensure local TAFE Queensland initiatives, programs, products and services meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and students.

TAFE Queensland North region has approximately 3,000 First Nations students enrolled across our footprint.   The Banggu Minjaany Jigul unit delivers tailored training and support for First Nations students.  This position will seek to expand Banggu Minjaany Jigul to include delivery of tailored training programs across the state including commercial contracts with government, industry and other employers.

This position will also develop strong relationships with community to ensure awareness of TAFE Queensland courses and play a key leadership role in the implementation of TAFE Queensland's Reconciliation Action Plan.   The successful applicant will be an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person who has a strong understanding of the VET sector along with a record of demonstrated outcomes in their professional career.

Our ideal candidate is someone who can demonstrate the following:

• Cultural competence and understanding of First Nations communities and organisations
• A well-developed understanding of the vocational-education sector including knowledge of training packages and funding streams
• High level written, oral and interpersonal skills with demonstrated experience in writing reports and policies
• Strong project management skills including governance and reporting requirements
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities, with a focus on achieving project outcomes aligned with organisational objectives
• Strong capability in financial reporting and budgetary management

The position supports TAFE Queensland's commitment to reconciliation and will support implementation of our broader strategies to increase First Nations access and retention to TAFE Queensland training programs.  Building positive working relationships and collaboration with Faculties and other leadership teams across TAFE Queensland north region is a key function of this role.

This is a Permanent, Full-Time opportunity.

This position will be located within the Banggu Minjaany Jigul unit in the Faculty for Education, Land Management and the Arts and will report directly to the Executive Director for Education and Training.  The role will be supported by and work collaboratively with the Faculty.  This position is included in the TAFE  Queensland north leadership team.

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to the success of transformation and cultural change through promoting and modelling the established values of Safety First, Working Together, Focussing on the Customer, Taking Responsibility and Showing Initiative.
• Live a safety culture, lead by example and support the Health Safety and Environment Management System to create a TAFE Queensland safety culture.
• Lead the establishment of TAFE Queensland's First Nations Centre for Training in consultation with key internal and external stakeholders across the state.
• Build and strengthen relationships with internal and external stakeholders including First Nations communities and organisations, industry, government agencies and endorsed consultative and advisory groups to ensure training programs, delivery and campus services are culturally appropriate.
• Provide leadership in the implementation of TAFE Queensland's Reconciliation Action Plan including providing regular reports to TAFE Queensland Executive and Reconciliation Australia.
• Promote and grow First Nations enrolments, training and services through alliances and mutually beneficial partnerships.
• Manage north region's Indigenous Student Support and Away from Base teams to provide culturally appropriate student engagement, advisory and support services.
• Identify external funding opportunities to support students and training program implementation.
• Provide internal and external reports and undertake routine reviews of First Nations specific key activities including Commonwealth Away from Base funding and RAP objectives.
• Contribute to costings, quotations, business cases and proposals as required to support programs to be delivered under the First Nations Centre for Training.

How you will be assessed

The ideal applicant will be someone who has the following key capabilities:

1. Ability to recognise and articulate the interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and proven ability to consult in accordance with cultural protocols.
2. Demonstrated high level understanding of the vocational education and training sector including the ability to develop training programs in consultation with key stakeholders such as employers, industry, government and First Nations community groups.
3. High level written, oral and interpersonal skills with demonstrated experience in writing reports and negotiating with stakeholders.
4. Strong project management skills including governance and reporting.
5. Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities, with a focus on achieving project outcomes aligned with organisational objectives.

Mandatory Requirements

This role is an identified role under section 25 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (Qld), it is a genuine occupational requirement for the incumbent to be an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person.

• Knowledge of the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector
• Knowledge and experience in working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and community organisations

How to apply

If you're interested in this role, click the 'Apply' button to submit your application via the TAFE Queensland Recruitment Portal.  When submitting your application, please ensure you provide the following:

• A detailed resume;
• A cover letter that outlines your known skills, abilities, knowledge and experience in response to the "How you will be assessed" criteria above (maximum of 2 pages in total); and
• The contact details for two referees (one of whom is your current supervisor)

Closing date: 11 November 2025

Job Reference Number: TQ

For further information, please contact:

Leanne Bell - Executive Director, Education & Training