Board

Bernard van den Bergen brings more than 50 years of experience in the ElectroComms and EnergyUtilities industry.

With a strong background in industrial electrical/electronics, Bernard has been involved in industry based vocational training since 1976. Holding senior executive training roles with Queensland utility (Energex) and other training institutions abroad.

Bernard has a deep understanding of the Australian Vocational and Education training system developing the first iteration of competency based standards for the energy industry trades. In addition, he has published a text book “Mathematics for the Electrical Trade’ TAFE Publications, Melbourne, Australia 1996.

Bernard has undertaken numerous board and related committee roles in the Australian Electrical Supply Industry. Additionally, Bernard holds a Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Education and is an active member of the Kippa-Ring Rotary Club.

Peter Tighe has an extensive background in both private and public sectors at a senior executive level. He has a long history in vocational training commencing with his own apprenticeship as an electrical tradesman. Peter has a strong background in the areas of Industrial Relations, Work Health & Safety having previously been the National Secretary of the CEPU and ETU and CEO at the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency.

Peter held the position of Chair with Energy Skills Australia from its inception in 1995 until October 2013 and now performs the role of Deputy Chair, Peter has demonstrated unquestionable commitment to the ElectroComms and EnergyUtilities industries.

Peter has sat on various vocational boards and Commonwealth training committees and has been a director of  numerous industry related bodies such as industry superannuation funds and the National Electronic Industry Training Council. He was also a ministerial appointee to the Australian Safety and Compensation Council which develops national policy and standards for workplace safety.

Allen Hicks is the State Secretary for the Electrical Trades Union of Australia – NSW & ACT Branch.

He previously held position of the National Secretary of the Electrical Trades Union of Australia (ETU) and the National Secretary of the Communications Electrical Plumbing Union (CEPU).

Allen has been a full-time official for 17 years commencing as an officer with the Queensland branch of the Electrical Trades Union in August 2000.

During his time as an officer with the Electrical Trades Union, Allen organised the building/construction and power Industries.

Allen also serves on the ACTU Executive, ACTU Education Inc. Committee of Management, a member of the Industry Advisory Group to Trades recognition Australia, Titular Member of the Asia Pacific Regional Committee for Building Workers International (BWI), an alternate director at CBUS and on the BCDS Committee of the Asbestos Safety & Eradication Agency.

He was also a former director of National Entitlement Security trust (NEST) and former director of National Electronic Data Capture Services (E-Profiling).

Allen is a licensed Electrician who has worked in the construction, mining, industrial and domestic sectors of the Electrical industry and has been involved in vocational education and training policy, occupational licensing and workplace health and safety for many years.

Larry Moore has a long standing involvement in the electrotechnology industry since finishing his trade training (Electrical Fitter) in the late 1960s. Early in his career Larry worked his way from tradesman to trades supervisor in the automotive manufacturing industry moving to his current role of Executive Director of the South Australian/Northern Territory Branch of the National Electrical & Communications Association a position Larry has held since 1997.  Larry is also the Secretary of the Refrigeration Air Conditioning Contractors Association South Australia since 1998.

Larry is the current Chair of the national Electrotechnology – Industry Reference Committee a position he has held since inception in 2017 and is a current Director of the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) the national refrigeration/air conditioning licensing regulator.

Larry also sits on numerous representative boards, technical and safety committees in South Australia including the Construction, Mining and Energy Industry Skills Council, the Office of Energy and Office of Consumer & Business Affairs (Electrical Licensing Regulator) Advisory Committees and is a current Director of the South Australian Portable Long Service Leave Board.

In addition to numerous trade and post trade qualifications and certifications Larry also completed a nationally accredited Diploma of Management.

Tom Emeleus has many years of practical experience within the Australian electrotechnology and electrical supply industries and the VET sector.

Tom holds degrees in electrical engineering, international studies and a Masters in Engineering Management and has held several executive positions with NECA and Ausgrid. While he has specialised in VET for 18 years, he also has experience in project management, audit, telecommunications and electrical construction, infrastructure and human resources.

Tom is the General Manager of NECA Training and Apprenticeships, a large Group Training Organisation and RTO in NSW, QLD and the ACT. Tom has a deep understanding of the Australian Vocational Education and Training system through his current and previous roles and has been active at a strategic level, holding directorships on State and Federal boards responsible for VET and group training since 2004.

Tom holds several community roles including President of the North West Sydney Football Referees Association.

Glenn Menzies commenced his career in the Plumbing and Pipe Trades Industry when he began working as a Mechanical Services plumber in 1981. Glenn became an Organiser with the Plumbing and Pipe Trades Employees Union (PPTEU) in 2004 and has been a member of the VBAPAC since 2008. Glenn is CEO of CEPUTEC, a Director of FIT, PJTF and is a PPTEU-UA Ambassador.

Georgia brings expertise in policy development and industry reform through her role as National Policy Lead at Master Electricians Australia, overseeing the organisation’s national approach to regulatory and sector advancement.

She holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Accounting, from Victoria University of Wellington, and is admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand.

Her career began in professional services as an auditor with Deloitte, and she also gained experience through a short-term engagement with the Office of the Auditor-General in New Zealand, building strong foundations in governance, compliance and financial accountability.

In addition, Georgia has spent time working alongside electrical overhead line crews, giving her valuable first-hand insight into site operations and the challenges faced by the electrical industry’s workforce.

Robert (Bob) Taylor has been a passionate industry stakeholder for over 30 years, having owned and managed both small and large Electrical contracting companies and organisations.

Bob also has extensive knowledge of the Australian Vocational Education and Training sector, through his involvement in both State and National Industry Training Advisory Board networks.

With deep experience in managing projects and contracts of national and international significance within the ElectroComms and EnergyUtilities Industries. Bob is a true leader of the industry and has been providing generous stewardship and knowledge for many years.

When not at work, Bob spends his time volunteering with a local cancer charity he founded, coaching his grandchildren’s sporting teams and taking his family and friends water skiing.