A former Army Officer, Ben has worked in labour hire and staffing solutions for more than 20 years across various industries. For almost a decade, he has exclusively serviced the mining and resources sector. In addition to his role as Managing Director of One Key Resources, which provides skilled personnel to the mining industry across Australia, Ben serves on the board of a veteran charity and has been involved in several enquiries addressing staffing solutions in the mining industry.

Elizabeth started out training as a chemist in London. In Australia, her career snapshot includes Senior Research Officer for CUB, Principal Environmental Auditor (Land) for Environment Protection Authority Victoria, State Manager of the Australian Government Analytical Laboratories, Executive Director of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute, and Project Manager at the University of Melbourne. She has been General Manager of the Construction Material Processors Association (CMPA), the premier representative body for the state’s extractive resources industry, since 2013.

Karolina is the General Manager of Workforce and Innovation at the Minerals Council of Australia (MCA), the leading advocate for Australia’s minerals industry. She has extensive experience working in the community sector and across government in frontline service delivery and coordination, advocacy, community development, industry engagement and project, program, people and policy development, implementation, and evaluation. Karolina has served on various committees, advisory panels and working groups – both here in Australia and internationally.

Osama is the Regional Manager – Product Safety, Stewardship and Compliance for Caterpillar. His role encompasses internal and external engagement related to product safety, regulatory compliance and product stewardship, helping support the safe operation and maintenance of mining equipment in Australia. He is the current Chair of Standards Australia's Technical Committee ME-063 (Earthmoving Equipment), the Engineering Working Group Chair for Australia’s Construction and Mining Equipment Industry Group (CMEIG), and an active participant on a number of Australian and International forums related to mining equipment safety.

As the Executive Director of Commercial Business at TAFE Queensland, the state’s largest training provider, Robert is responsible for establishing and delivering new and innovative programs to meet emerging industry skills and workforce development needs. With a passion for driving change in the Australian tertiary education and training sector, Robert has held a variety of roles in public and private organisations. He has also served on a range of committees and established the TAFE Queensland Commercial Business Unit.

Scott has over 20 years’ experience in Learning and Development having previously served as chair of the Coal IRC and on several Workforce Planning committees. Working most recently as project lead for the BHP Global Frontline Leadership & Executive Development projects. His diversity of experience provides him with a unique view on training, education and development and a deep understanding of training packages and the training system. Aside from heading up Leadership Projects at BHP, Scott is currently a volunteer trainer for the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services.

Scott was previously the Chair of the Industry Reference Committee (Coal) for Resources training package, a member of the Minerals Council of Australia & the Greater Whitsundays Alliance workforce planning committees.

Shane is the National Organising Director of the Australian Workers Union (AWU), which strives to provide members with increased safety, job security, and better pay and conditions. The AWU has been a strong supporter of vocational education and training for decades and currently represents members on 6 industry job and skills councils across multiple industries. Shane has served on a range of mining and drilling industry reference committees along with a number of national and state-based industry safety committees. 

Stephen has worked in various staff and production roles in mining and mine contracting, as well as at a broad range of metalliferous and coal mines. As an experienced underground deputy, he has been appointed by the Mining & Energy Union QLD since 2020 in a statutory safety role under the Queensland Coal Act to represent all coal mine workers, including performing safety inspections and incident investigations. Stephen is a qualified trainer assessor and has been involved with various committees, panels and boards.

Tim has worked in drilling for 40 years, making his way through the industry as a drillers offsider through to General Manager of Welldrill. He has been a member of the Australian Drilling Industry Association (ADIA) for 25-plus years and a Director for the past 10 years, currently serving as Vice President. Tim has a Certificate IV and Diplomas in Drilling Health, Safety, and the Environment and Training and Assessment, as well as training in leadership and business management skills.

For several years, Troy has acted as a strategic adviser for workforce development across various industries in Tasmania and Western Australia. He has worked closely with industry leaders, government officials and educational institutions to identify workforce trends, address skill gaps and promote vocational training programs. Troy is a Strategic Workforce Advisor at IntoWork, MAS National, a leading national provider of employment, skills and education, and support services that promote educational, economic and social participation for Australians.