Our Board
Chris Bevan
Chairman
Chris joined Workskills 20 years ago after working for the Government for ten years with the Department of Main Roads and 20 years with Forestry Tasmania. At the time of retirement, Chris was the Industrial Relations Manager. He strongly desired to join an organisation where he could work and help those who needed it in our community. He found that Workskills was an excellent fit.
Chris has been Chairman for 17 years. Chris' Board experience comes from 4.5 years as President of the Association of State Superannuations and 3.5 years as a Commissioner of the Retirement Benefits Fund of Tasmania.
Chris is a Fellow of the Australian Institution of Company Directors. Chris is proud of the work put in by a dedicated Board and outstanding Senior Leadership Team.
Iain Frawley
Deputy Chairman
Iain has extensive experience in leadership roles in the state and federal public sectors, particularly in people management. He also has over 35 years of experience as a small business operator. During that time, he was actively involved in various community activities and held several board management roles in the not-for-profit sector.
Iain is strongly committed to social justice, has been a Board member of Workskills since 2007, and is currently the Deputy Chair.
Iain holds a Master's Degree in Public Administration and a Graduate Certificate in Corporate Governance from the University of Tasmania.
Chris Hughes
Public Officer
Chris has been associated with the Workskills Board and its precursors for more than 30 years. He worked as a GP for 42 years in Bridgewater, always with an eye on the principles and practice of social justice. Workskills, with its range of services supporting training, job placement, and social enterprise activities, has always been a good fit for his passion.
He is the current Royal Australian College of General Practice Tasmanian Censor with responsibilities that include local supervision of GP Training and Assessment and a national role in Training and Assessment Policy.
On behalf of the RACGP, he also supports GP Training in Hong Kong.
In 2023, he was awarded the Rose Hunt Medal for services to General Practice and the RACGP.
Bernadette Ulbrich-Hooper
Board Member
Bernadette has 14 years’ experience in the NFP sector across board roles on Workskills, Hobart City Mission and as Fundraising and Marketing Advisor with the St Vincent de Paul Society Tasmania and currently as the Fundraising Officer with the Royal Flying Doctor Service Tasmania. Bernadette was also part of a group in the NFP space that brought ‘Pets in the Park’ to Launceston. ‘Pets in the Park’ is a charitable organisation dedicated to caring for the pets of people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
Bernadette strongly believes that a good job and a good education are the best pathway out of poverty and is proud to be involved with Workskills, who deliver a first-rate and personalised service to all job seekers, whether they are entering the workforce for the first time, returning after a period out of the workforce or have personal barriers to employment, the team at Workskills are ready to assist.
Bernadette holds a Bachelor of Laws Degree, a Graduate Certificate in Legal Practice, a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and a Bachelor of Applied Science Degree from Charles Sturt University. Bernadette has taken several NFP governance, Finance, and risk management courses.
Stephen Luttrell
Treasurer
Based in Hobart, Steve completed a Bachelor of Science (Forestry) at the Australian Nation University. On returning to Tasmania, he worked with the Forestry Commission and Forestry Tasmania, including roles in senior management, operational management, and sales and marketing. He also has experience in private enterprise through secondment and project work subsequent to his retirement.
Steve was a director of the Forest Practices Authority for seven years and is now the Chair of the Forest Education Foundation (since 2018).
Steve has been a Board member of Workskills since 2005 and has been Treasurer/Co-Treasurer for most of that time.
Heather Chaplin-Alomes
Board Member
Heather has been a member of the Workskills Board for 16 years. Most of her working life has been people-focused through roles in human resources, specifically recruitment, training, and development. Heather has worked for large for-profit employers, not-for-profit organisations, and the Tasmanian State Government. She retired in 2018.
Heather has developed a strong belief in social justice and believes everyone has a right to reach their full potential.
She has an excellent understanding of the issues that face employment service providers and has seen first-hand what support and training can do for individuals who have struggled to find work. She is committed to working with the Board, management and Workskill's dedicated staff to provide the best possible outcomes for all stakeholders.
Simon Bresnahan
Treasurer
Simon joined the Workskills Board two years ago and is currently serving as the Co-Treasurer. He started his working life in the family’s forest industry business and is passionate about all Tasmanians participating in the opportunities that sustainable economic growth brings.
He is a skilled investment and finance professional with experience in wealth management, stockbroking, institutional and governmental investment management, and state-owned enterprise financial management.
Simon is currently the investment manager of an impact-investor-backed renewable energy company and understands complex businesses and financial governance well.
Robert Flanagan
Board Member
Robert is an industrial relations practitioner with over 30 years of experience and a strong commitment to social justice. Robert is currently the Assistant Branch Secretary for the Tasmanian Branch of the Australian Workers’ Union and a member of the Special Administrative Committee of the Tasmanian Branch of the Australian Labor Party.
Robert has previously been Vice President of the Industrial Relations Society of Tasmania, Non-Executive Director of Metro Tasmania and Board Member of the Tasmanian Building and Construction Industry Training Board.
Robert has been with the Board for 12 and a half years.
Our Senior Leadership
Pat Kluver
Chief Executive Officer
Pat has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Workskills since June 2015, following his tenure as the founder and Executive Officer of Workskills Training and Development (RTO), which he commenced in 2005. He has held a position on the National Board of Jobs Australia, where he served as Chair of the Governance Committee. Jobs Australia is recognised as the peak body for not-for-profit employment service providers. Additionally, Pat has contributed his expertise to the Local Jobs Program Taskforce, advising the Commonwealth Government on various employment sector opportunities. He has also represented the Workskills Board of the South Central Workforce Network.
Under Pat's stewardship, Workskills has grown significantly, expanding its programs and revenue to establish itself as Tasmania's largest and longest-continually serving employment services provider. Workskills now employs over 90 staff. Drawing from a robust training and development background, Pat has consulted a diverse array of industries and organisations, thereby gaining critical insights into the needs of employers in Hobart and Southern Tasmania.
Under his direction, Workskills RTO prioritised Vocational Education and Training (VET) to facilitate job seekers' connections with local industries, develop work preparation programs for those encountering difficulties, and deliver formal skills development for Workskills staff.
A staunch advocate of lifelong learning, Pat holds a Graduate Certificate of Management from the University of Tasmania (UTAS), an Advanced Diploma of Management, an Advanced Diploma of Work Health and Safety, a Diploma of Training and Assessment, and a Certificate IV in Human Resource Management.
Ben Richards
Chief Operations Officer
Ben is the Chief Operating Officer of Workskills Tasmania and is responsible for the operational delivery of Workskills’ programs, including Transition to Work and Troublesmiths, Workforce Australia Employment Services, and ParentsNext.
Ben is also a director on the Board of Jobs Australia, the peak body representing not-for-profits that deliver diverse employment services and employment pathways. Before joining Workskills Tasmania, Ben served for over 20 years in the Australian Army, holding various leadership and operational appointments.
Ben holds a Master’s Degree in Business from the University of New South Wales and was awarded the Commendation for Distinguished Service in the 2018 Queen’s Birthday Honours.
Kristy Hall
Chief Financial Officer
Kristy's journey at Workskills showcases her dedication, versatility, and continuous growth within the organisation over the past 14 years. She began her career at Workskills as a Finance and Admin trainee in 2009, demonstrating an early commitment to learning and development. Throughout her tenure, Kristy has held various support roles in Finance, human resources, corporate support, and administration.
Her proactive approach and strong analytical skills were recognised when she took on the role of Finance Coordinator after a restructuring in the Finance Team. In this capacity, Kristy played a pivotal role in redefining and improving Workskills' financial management systems across all organisational levels. Her efforts in this role not only streamlined operations but also contributed to enhanced financial oversight and strategic planning.
In recognition of her exceptional contributions and leadership qualities, Kristy was promoted to Chief Financial Officer in 2017. This elevation not only underscored her proficiency in financial management but also marked her integration into the Senior Leadership Team. As a member of this team, Kristy now plays a crucial role in shaping the strategic direction of Workskills, ensuring alignment with broader organisational goals and objectives.
Reflecting her commitment to professional development, Kristy has completed several certifications and courses, including a Certificate III in Business, Certificate IV in Human Resources, Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety, and an Advanced Diploma of Accounting. Furthermore, her completion of the Company Directors Course by the Australian Institute of Company Directors underscores her readiness to contribute at the highest levels of governance and leadership.
Overall, Kristy's story exemplifies how dedication, skill development, and strategic thinking can propel an individual from a trainee role to a key leadership position within an organisation, contributing significantly to its growth and success over the years.
Linda Barwick
Chief Quality Officer
Linda brings over 18 years of experience in employment services to Workskills. Since joining Workskills in 2010, she has held several senior management positions, contributing both operationally and strategically.
In 2022, Linda joined the Senior Leadership Team to manage the organisation's accreditation requirements to ensure that programs meet and exceed the needs of people in our community. As a dedicated Quality Officer, Linda has been instrumental in developing and implementing quality management systems that uphold the highest service delivery standards. Her expertise in this area ensures continuous improvement and compliance with industry regulations, enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of Workskills’ programs.
Linda holds a Diploma of Leadership and Management, Cert IV in Employment Services, and a Diploma in Management System Auditing and Management of a Quality System. Her qualifications and experience have equipped her with the skills to lead audits, manage quality assurance processes, and drive a culture of quality within Workskills.
Her commitment to quality and strategic vision have made her a key player in Workskills' ongoing success and growth, ensuring that It remains a leading provider of employment services to the community.