FutureNow was originally established as the WA Arts Industry Training Council in October 1990. In 1995 sport, recreation and racing was added to its coverage and tourism and hospitality, printing, information communications technology were added in 2009. FutureNow has drawn on the contribution of successive Boards, Industry advisory networks and training and education partners and evolved to become a leader in workforce development in the Creative, Leisure and Technology sectors. FutureNow's current Board continues to set and monitor the strategic direction and performance of the organisation. The Board's Charter can be viewed here. futurenow_board_charter_final_20.02.19.pdf
Core Functions
FutureNow's primary activities include the following;
- Provide a leadership role in promoting skilling solutions to industry, including partnerships with the education and training sector that support productivity.
- Advise industry about national training policy, funding arrangements, regulatory changes, training product development and apprenticeship and traineeship opportunities.
- Identify and develop innovative approaches to workforce development including the development of micro-credentials and different ways of learning.
- Promote new training initiatives from West Australian and Commonwealth governments.
- Build relationships and broker skilling solutions with education and training providers.
- Facilitate industry input to the development and review of Training Packages and curriculum
- Work with industry, government and enterprises to identify the opportunities for work based training, including for higher level vocational qualifications
Core Values |
Equality
Our work is guided by a desire to create opportunities for all members of our community through the application of transformative workforce development strategies and programs.
Collaboration
We work collectively through our Board, Industry, Government and Education partners and within our team to achieve good workforce development outcomes.
Professionalism
We are proficient, productive and reliable in all that we do. We value excellence, work in a timely manner and act with respect and integrity at all times.
Accountability
We use sound governance principles to guide fair and ethical decision making and to inform work practices. We are open about our work and take responsibility for it.
Respect
We understand and value the position of our stakeholders and the commitment they make to supporting our work. We are mutually respectful and supportive within our workplace.
Our work is guided by a desire to create opportunities for all members of our community through the application of transformative workforce development strategies and programs.
Collaboration
We work collectively through our Board, Industry, Government and Education partners and within our team to achieve good workforce development outcomes.
Professionalism
We are proficient, productive and reliable in all that we do. We value excellence, work in a timely manner and act with respect and integrity at all times.
Accountability
We use sound governance principles to guide fair and ethical decision making and to inform work practices. We are open about our work and take responsibility for it.
Respect
We understand and value the position of our stakeholders and the commitment they make to supporting our work. We are mutually respectful and supportive within our workplace.
Board of Directors
Matthew Thomas, Chair
Xformation Consulting
Xformation Consulting
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Natalie JenkinsChief Executive Officer
Block Branding |
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Andrew HillChief Operating Officer
Food, Beverage and Entertainment, Crown Perth |
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Michelle SandfordChairman
Australian Computer Society |
Matthew Horrocks
Screen Industry Consultant
Screen Industry Consultant
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Iain McDougall |
Ian Smith
General Manager, Advance Press
Representing Printing Industries Association of Australia
General Manager, Advance Press
Representing Printing Industries Association of Australia
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Fran Kirby
State Training Board Board member, observer
State Training Board Board member, observer
Jodie Wallace
Executive Director, Service Delivery Strategy
Department of Training and Workforce Development, Observer
Executive Director, Service Delivery Strategy
Department of Training and Workforce Development, Observer
FutureNow workforce
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Julie HobbsChief Executive Officer
Ex - Officio Board member |
Julie Hobbs is an experienced business person, creative practitioner and educator with a deep commitment to workforce development as a driver of economic, social and cultural capacity. Her background in management, education and the creative industries are informed by a range of qualifications and a multifaceted career that has encompassed the private and public spheres as well as engagement with the not for profit sector. Julie’s work in the private sector as a designer and as the co director of a manufacturing and export company have lead to an understanding of the spectrum of challenges facing enterprises operating in an unpredictable economic environment. She appreciates the significance and complexity of the vocational training and education (VET) sector through her work as a lead VET practitioner and from work within the Department of Training and Workforce Development. Julie was previously the Principal Lecturer in the Applied Design Portfolio at the Central Institute of Technology (Now North Metropolitan TAFE). This Academic leadership role included teaching, curriculum design and development and the creation of strong industry connections to the creative industries disciplines.
Julie recognizes the critical relationship between industry - represented through employers and peak bodies, and future skills development. She is experienced in Governance having held leadership positions within the Design Institute of Australia (DIA) the multidisciplinary peak body for Australian design serving as WA President from 2009-13 and National President from 2014 - 2017. Her research interests include the impact of digital technologies on the future of work and the importance of creativity and design thinking across all industry sectors.
Julie holds a Bachelor of Arts, Advanced Diploma of Design, Graduate Diploma of Management, Graduate Diploma of Education & Training, Diploma of Auditing, Graduate Certificate of Art & Design and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Julie recognizes the critical relationship between industry - represented through employers and peak bodies, and future skills development. She is experienced in Governance having held leadership positions within the Design Institute of Australia (DIA) the multidisciplinary peak body for Australian design serving as WA President from 2009-13 and National President from 2014 - 2017. Her research interests include the impact of digital technologies on the future of work and the importance of creativity and design thinking across all industry sectors.
Julie holds a Bachelor of Arts, Advanced Diploma of Design, Graduate Diploma of Management, Graduate Diploma of Education & Training, Diploma of Auditing, Graduate Certificate of Art & Design and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Ann-Marie Ryan
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Industry Development Manager Creative Industries and Digital Technologies
Ann-Marie has a very broad portfolio which includes digital technologies, games development, VR, AR and animation; visual arts, craft and design; film, television, media and publishing; dance, theatre, opera, orchestral and contemporary live music; and galleries, museums, heritage, archives and libraries. She is passionate about her industries, having spent much of her career straddling the cultural and commercial worlds, with senior experience in areas as diverse as publishing and bookselling, museums, ecommerce, and events. She directs a broad analytical lens over the workforce development challenges facing the dynamic sectors within her portfolio. Ann-Marie has built very wide networks since returning to Perth, and sits on industry advisory groups for information technology, cybersecurity, animation, and visual arts, among others. She has represented Western Australian industry on national project working groups to revise vocational qualifications for sectors including libraries and live technical production and also hosts a range of formal industry networks on behalf of FutureNow. Ann-Marie’s strength lies in bringing together people with diverse expertise and perspectives and focusing conversation on strategic levers that maximise industry’s capacity to address wicked problems and support pathways into these coveted sectors for the next generation of Western Australians. Ann-Marie joined FutureNow following a successful career in the museums and publishing sectors in London. Ann-Marie’s work has included overseeing major commercial operations for large retail and cultural institutions and this has given her a rigorous understanding of end user experience which she finds invaluable when negotiating the complex world of vocational education and workforce development. She has a BA English from Curtin University where she majored in Creative Writing and Cultural Studies. |
Garry Scott
Industry Development Manager - Sport and Recreation, Print and Graphic Arts, Racing and Farriery
Garry has extensive business experience across the private sector, federal, state, and local governments, and the community sector. He has worked in senior roles in employment, education, training, and youth affairs. Garry’s most recent roles as Director of Business Development, at the Central Institute of Technology, and Director of Education at North Metro TAFE have enhanced his understanding of the VET sector and how it can respond to business and industry in meeting labour market demand.
Garry's business experience includes the brokering of strategic and commercial partnerships with industry to deliver vocational education and training in the context of the recruitment, induction, retention, and training issues inherent in workforce planning and development.
Garry also has significant experience in consulting with the not for profit and community sector through work in regional Western Australia. This led to the development of state and federal governments policies that addressed social and workforce planning issues in regional labour markets. While working for the Swan Chamber of Commerce Garry initiated a project to co-ordinate Secondary schools Vocational Education and Training placements with industry. Garry has also consulted to Training Organisations about generating new training markets, recruiting trainers, developing courses, and recommending new and innovative flexible delivery arrangements.
Garry has also served on various boards including the National Board of Directors for Jobs Australia and Outcare.
Industry Development Manager - Sport and Recreation, Print and Graphic Arts, Racing and Farriery
Garry has extensive business experience across the private sector, federal, state, and local governments, and the community sector. He has worked in senior roles in employment, education, training, and youth affairs. Garry’s most recent roles as Director of Business Development, at the Central Institute of Technology, and Director of Education at North Metro TAFE have enhanced his understanding of the VET sector and how it can respond to business and industry in meeting labour market demand.
Garry's business experience includes the brokering of strategic and commercial partnerships with industry to deliver vocational education and training in the context of the recruitment, induction, retention, and training issues inherent in workforce planning and development.
Garry also has significant experience in consulting with the not for profit and community sector through work in regional Western Australia. This led to the development of state and federal governments policies that addressed social and workforce planning issues in regional labour markets. While working for the Swan Chamber of Commerce Garry initiated a project to co-ordinate Secondary schools Vocational Education and Training placements with industry. Garry has also consulted to Training Organisations about generating new training markets, recruiting trainers, developing courses, and recommending new and innovative flexible delivery arrangements.
Garry has also served on various boards including the National Board of Directors for Jobs Australia and Outcare.
Melissa Harkins
Industry Development Manager - Tourism, Travel, Hospitality and Events
Melissa has extensive experience in the tourism, hospitality and events sectors. She draws on a background in Event and Conference Management, Hotel Management, Front Office and Food and Beverage within Australia and internationally. Melissa worked for five star hotels in London and Canada before returning to Australia to work for Hyatt properties on the Gold Coast, Canberra and Sydney. In Perth she worked in Conference Management for Hotels then contracted to Dymocks to run their author events programme in Western Australia for visiting international and high profile authors, sporting stars and celebrity chefs.
Melissa has an interest in how people learn and develop skills. She is a trained educator who has lectured in Tourism. Hospitality and Events at a degree level at Edith Cowan University and Southern Cross University and in vocational qualifications at The Australian School of Tourism and Hotel Management. Melissa has also taught at high schools in Western Australia where amongst other subjects, she assisted students undertaking vocational studies.
Melissa has a love of and understanding of the Tourism, Hospitality and Events industries and is keen to contribute to the workforce development challenges and opportunities within these sectors.
Industry Development Manager - Tourism, Travel, Hospitality and Events
Melissa has extensive experience in the tourism, hospitality and events sectors. She draws on a background in Event and Conference Management, Hotel Management, Front Office and Food and Beverage within Australia and internationally. Melissa worked for five star hotels in London and Canada before returning to Australia to work for Hyatt properties on the Gold Coast, Canberra and Sydney. In Perth she worked in Conference Management for Hotels then contracted to Dymocks to run their author events programme in Western Australia for visiting international and high profile authors, sporting stars and celebrity chefs.
Melissa has an interest in how people learn and develop skills. She is a trained educator who has lectured in Tourism. Hospitality and Events at a degree level at Edith Cowan University and Southern Cross University and in vocational qualifications at The Australian School of Tourism and Hotel Management. Melissa has also taught at high schools in Western Australia where amongst other subjects, she assisted students undertaking vocational studies.
Melissa has a love of and understanding of the Tourism, Hospitality and Events industries and is keen to contribute to the workforce development challenges and opportunities within these sectors.
Kelly Perry
Industry Development Manager - Sport, Fitness and Recreation
Kelly is a qualified Sports Scientist who has a deep interest and experience in education and workforce development within the sport, fitness and recreation industry. In 2012 she founded the Sports Science Education Institute to offer community coaches, personal trainers and physical education teachers sports science knowledge in short course format. She worked closely with Fitness Australia to establish the curriculum for approval of continuing educational credit for fitness professional re-registration and led the expansion of these courses to an online platform to increase market reach, such as to regional areas.
Kelly is the author of Coaching Children: Sports Science Essentials published by the Australian Council for Educational Research. She has written numerous articles published in fitness, sport and recreation journals and magazines, presented at the Australian Council for Physical Education and Recreation conference and lectured in sports science and fitness. She is an academic sessional for the School of Health Sciences (Sports Science) for the University of Notre Dame.
Kelly understands the complex and changing nature of the workforce and economy. This is informed by postgraduate qualifications in business and in policy studies specialising in research and evaluation and through work with key industry sectors on multiple education development projects worth up to $110 million.
Kelly is the author of Coaching Children: Sports Science Essentials published by the Australian Council for Educational Research. She has written numerous articles published in fitness, sport and recreation journals and magazines, presented at the Australian Council for Physical Education and Recreation conference and lectured in sports science and fitness. She is an academic sessional for the School of Health Sciences (Sports Science) for the University of Notre Dame.
Kelly understands the complex and changing nature of the workforce and economy. This is informed by postgraduate qualifications in business and in policy studies specialising in research and evaluation and through work with key industry sectors on multiple education development projects worth up to $110 million.
Birgit Smith
Tourism, Hospitality and Events Careers presenter
Birgit has extensive and deep experience in the hospitality, tourism and events sector in both Australia and in Europe. Her experiences in her homeland of Estonia include working in a boutique and spa hotel in housekeeping, front of house and restaurant management roles. Birgit enjoys the personal interaction that tourism and hospitality occupations provide. Her University thesis, still in use today, was to create a client feedback process for her employer. She was also part of the Tallin airport ground handling team which involved check-in, gate boarding, driving with air bridges and checking passenger documentation within tight time frames.
Birgit’s most recent role was in event management within a large event venue where she applied her expertise in event sales, coordination and operations.
Birgit is passionate about hospitality, tourism and events industries and the wide range of long term and sustainable careers that are found within them. She is delighted to share her knowledge and enthusiasm with young people who are considering career paths within these sectors.
Birgit has a Higher Professional Degree in Hotel Management, a Certificate IV and Diploma in Business Administration and is currently studying for a Bachelor of Business.
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