Board

Energy Skills Australia's operations are overseen by an experienced, independent board of directors from across Australia who are leaders in their field.

They bring a wealth of industry and sector expertise to our business activities and are responsible for leading the organisation and setting its strategic direction.

Meet our Team

Bernard
van den Bergen

Independent Chair

Bernard
van den Bergen

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

Deputy Chair

Peter Tighe

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.

John Nucifora

John has over 40 years of Industrial Relations experience as a union official (Federated Clerks Union & Australian Services Union) and 35+ years of Industrial Advocacy, OHS and Legal Compliance experience.

John currently holds the position of Compliance & Legal Officer at the Australian Services Union.

John holds Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Law, Graduate Diploma in Labour Relations Law.

John Sansom

John Sansom is a licensed Electrical contractor with extensive experience in the fields of electrical contracting as well as in the management of commercial, industrial and domestic construction projects.

John has successfully owned and managed his own electrical business ‘Algester Electrical’ for over 30 years and holds qualifications in Electrical Fitter/Electrical Mechanic, Telecommunications, High Risk Work, Elevating Work Platform, White Card, Security Provider Licence and Refrigerant Handling Licence.

John was the winner of GEC apprentice of the year during his 4^th year apprenticeship with GEC. After leaving GEC John worked his way up to foreman with a small Electrical business, then helped start a small Electrical business with his uncle and cousin before owning his own business.

John has an extensive hands-on knowledge of the Australian Vocational Educations and Training System having trained and mentored countless electrical apprentices over the years.

John is an inducted Alumni Member of Master Electricians and is one of the founding members of Algester Blue Light Association.

Larry Moore

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

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

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.

Robert (Bob) Taylor

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.

David Mier

Dave did his electrical apprenticeship at the Port of Melbourne starting in 1980. For over 40 years he has championed the rights of electrical workers and been a stalwart of the union movement. For 14 years Dave was an organiser with the Victorian ETU and is currently the Assistant National Secretary of the Electrical Trades Union.