The Malinauskas Labor Government has appointed a new South Australian Skills Commissioner. It follows a nationwide recruitment process for the role.

Cameron Baker has been appointed for a five-year term and will take up the leading role in the state’s skills system from July.

Mr Baker has been appointed to the role after the inaugural commissioner Renee Hindmarsh stepped down to relocate interstate due to family reasons.

He has an extensive background in senior executive and advisory positions in higher education and the skills sector in Victoria and nationally.

Currently, Mr Baker is a senior consultant in skills and labour for the National Transport Commission. Prior to this, he established Apprenticeships Victoria and led a team focused on getting more people into apprenticeships and traineeship, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds.

Mr Baker also previously served as the Director and Acting Skills Commissioner of the Victorian Skills Commission.

The SA Skills Commission was established in 2021 to ensure the state's skills system is more flexible, easier to navigate and geared towards workforce needs with strong industry engagement.

The Commission advises on how the skills sector is performing and engages directly with industry and employers to deliver the skills they need for future jobs in South Australia.

Along with Mr Baker’s appointment, the following have also been appointed to the Skills Commission for a period of two years:
*Helen Gibbons – Director (Early Childhood Education), United Workers Union
*Louise Nobes- CEO, KIK Innovation
*John Chapman – Former Small Business Commissioner
*Leonie Boothby – CEO, Regional Development Australia Barossa Gawler Light Adelaide Plains
*Andy Keough – Managing Director, SAAB Australia
*Ian Horne – CEO, Australian Hotels Association
*Michael Luchich – State and Territory Director (SA and NT), Optus
*Adrienne Nieuwenhuis – Commissioner, Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency
*Stuart Gordon – SA Assistant Secretary, Australian Manufacturing Workers Union
*Robyn Verrall – South-East farmer (Founder, Bully’s Meat), 2022 SA AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award Winner

Quotes

Attributable to Blair Boyer

I thank Renee Hindmarsh for her invaluable service to SA and the outgoing SA Skills Commission members for their important work in establishing the Commission.

I would like to welcome Mr Baker to the important role of the South Australia Skills Commissioner at a time of great importance for the delivery of a skilled workforce in South Australia.

I look forward to Mr Baker providing strong leadership, advice and drive in his new role, particularly as we deliver on the opportunities from AUKUS.

It’s never been more important to rebuild our TAFE and training system – and a refreshed SA Skills Commission will ensure a renewed focus on how to get more South Australians skilled up for the jobs being created.

Attributable to incoming SA Skills Commissioner Cameron Baker

I am truly honored to have been appointed as South Australia’s next Skills Commissioner.

I look forward to working with both the newly appointed and existing Commission members to ensure that we continue to work effectively with industry, support all apprentices and trainees on their journey to completion and ensure that the skills system is working for all South Australians.