The founding chairman of Hunter Valley Training Company (HVTC) has announced he will step down from the position after 30 years of service.
The Hon Milton Morris AO will step down as chair at the commencement of the Board meeting in February next year (February 23, 2012). The Board has elected director, and current non-executive chairman and former managing director of Centennial Coal, Bob Cameron as Mr Morris’ replacement. Mr Morris will remain a director.
Founding HVTC director Doug Wright AM and director of 26 years, Anthony Dirckze, have also announced their retirement from the HVTC Board.
Mr Morris said it had been a privilege to serve as chairman and paid tribute to founding general manager and current executive director Kay Sharp AM and HVTC staff. He thanked all of the past and current HVTC directors for their support. In particular, he acknowledged Mr Wright and Mr Dirckze for their outstanding commitment to HVTC’s goal of making a difference to the lives of young people by providing quality apprenticeships and traineeships.
“HVTC has achieved so much in its 30 years but it is time for me to step back a little,” Mr Morris said.
“Under the stewardship of Mr Cameron, I am very confident that the best is yet to be,” he said.
The former NSW Transport Minister and Member for Maitland, was given the task of establishing HVTC to address skills shortages by the then Labor Government in 1981. He was recognised for his outstanding service to the training industry by being made a life member of Group Training Australia at its national conference in Melbourne on October 21.
Mr Cameron was appointed to the HVTC Board in May 2011. He is past chairman of the NSW Minerals Council and the Australian Coal Association, chairman of County Coal Ltd and Pacific Smiles Group, and a director of Mining Education Australia.
HVTC is a not for profit company and all directors volunteer their time. The members of the Board are The Hon Milton Morris AO, Robert (Bob) Cameron, Peter McPherson, Richard Owens OAM, Robert (Bob) Puffett AM, Kay Sharp AM, and Michael Sheils.
Maitland based HVTC is Australia’s largest and oldest Group Training Organisation. In its 30 years of operation it has trained more than 18,000 apprentices and trainees. It currently employs more than 1100 apprentices and trainees and boasts apprenticeship completion rates of 85%, well above the industry average of 50%.