Our Team

Geoff Turner - Executive Officer

Coming from a dive instructor background, Geoff found himself at the Skills Alliance after completing a degree in adult education.

In his time with the organisation he has held three different positions and has extensive experience across a wide range of functions. These include writing and mapping units of competency, providing training advice to training and industry organisations, and managing skilling related projects of all sizes.

He has also provided technical advice for audits of training organisations and undertaken industry supply-and-demand research.

As Executive Officer, Geoff sees his current role as creating innovative models of workforce development, models that will better support and promote networking and cooperation in our industry.
 

Stewart Cooke - Manager, Skills Formation Strategy

Stewart currently manages the industry Skills Formation Strategy, a 2 year project to address workforce development for our industry in Queensland.

He has been working in the sport and recreation training and employment field since 1995 after coming across from the then Department of Employment Education and Training (Federal). Initially Stewart worked as State Manager for the Recreation Industry Training Company where he was responsible for the introduction of Sport and Recreation traineeships in Queensland.

Since joining the Skills Alliance in 2004 Stewart has continued to work in the traineeship area, including managing several school-based traineeship projects for State Sporting Organisations. Stewart has also guided some of the operations of Axelis, the commercial product development company owned by the Skills Alliance.

Bradley Low - Industry Advisor

Bradley has over 10 years experience working in the fitness, sport and recreation industry. A former national level swimmer, Bradley has a keen interest in helping others to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle.

Originally from an education and training background, he worked for 5-years at UQ Sport developing and implementing of a range of state-wide programs. His achievements included the development of the Junior Sport and Wellness strategies for UQ Sport and the creation of a suite of Professional Development programs.

Bradley is also heavily involved with AUSTSWIM, the Australian Council for Swimming and Water Safety. He is an international presenter of AUSTSWIM Teacher of Swimming courses and presents regularly at national swimming and water safety conferences.

In his Skills Alliance role Bradley works directly with industry to identify their current and future skills needs and create workforce development solutions targeted at all workers - from CEO’s through to club volunteers.

Marcus Leslie - Industry Adviser

Marcus currently works as an Industry Adviser with the Skills Alliance. He works directly with industry to identify their current and future skills needs and create workforce development solutions targeted at all workers - from CEO’s through to club volunteers.

Marcus joined the Skills Alliance after leaving his role as National Education Manager for GymSports New Zealand. With GSNZ he incorporated the professional development and training of coaches and officials for six gymnastics codes.

As a qualified school teacher, Marcus has teaching experience with both adults and children in New Zealand, Japan and the United Kingdom. A former NZ representative gymnast (trampoline), he has been involved in his sport at all levels – athlete, coach, judge and administrator. Through his sport a passion for health and fitness developed; leading to qualifications in group fitness instructing which he is actively involved in.

Marcus enjoys working with a wide range of people in helping to achieve their goals.

Fiona Clarke - Policy Advisor

Fiona's role includes:

• Analysing industry data, conduct research into the skilling requirements in our industry
• Distributing a range of discussion papers and white papers on important industry workforce development issues
• Writing our 6-monthly skills report
• Sharing important industry information and policies with Skills Alliance staff and broader industry networks.

Fiona has a strong interest in government planning and politics. She completed a Bachelors Degree in Social Policy in the UK and has worked on projects covering VET and Higher Education.

Her experience includes working with training providers to develop programs that fit with government initiatives, and teaming up with outdoor and community recreation instructors to better engage young people.

Fiona is a also fitness enthusiast and has completed a Certificate 3 in Fitness Instruction. She has a particular interest in fighting obesity and encouraging people to incorporate ‘wellness’ - both mentally and physically - through good nutrition and being more active.

David Thompson - Operations Manager

David’s focus as Operations Officer is on management support around our systems and processes. This ensures the Skills Alliance can deliver quality and relevant programs and advice in a cost-effective manner.

David comes from a solid workforce planning and development background, facilitating and overseeing related projects, budgets and teams in corporate human resource (HR) contexts. He has Masters level qualifications in HR management.

He was attracted to the position with the Skills Alliance as it presented him an opportunity to combine his professional HR experience with the passion he has for sport and recreation.