Vale Bernadette O’Connor
It is with profound sadness that we write to advise you of the passing of Bernadette O’Connor, our visionary founder and Executive Director of Management Governance Australia Pty Ltd, CEO of Workforce Plus Inc, Chair of the Australian Renewables Academy and Executive Chair of DEC Housing.
Bernadette dedicated more than 40 years of her life to supporting often very vulnerable Australians and communities through her work in the community services sector. Her career was marked by extraordinary leadership, deep social commitment, a rare capacity to turn policy into good practice in ways that genuinely changed lives and a wicked sense of humour!
Through her work and leadership in employment services, education, disability inclusion, governance, housing, and renewable energy workforce development, Bernadette consistently challenged the status quo, always focused on creating more just, responsive and locally informed support systems, particularly for people living and working the regional Australian communities that she loved and lived in, until the last few days of her life.
Many of you will have worked alongside Bernadette or seen her influence in the initiatives and projects she led and participated in with courage and compassion. She will be remembered not only for her exceptional intellect and strategic insight but also for the progressive values she lived by and embedded into the organisations she built and the
teams she led.
As a team, we are in mourning, however, we remain united in our collective obligation to continue and grow the work Bernadette led with such integrity and vision. The leadership and governance of the MGA Group and its related entities — Management Governance Australia Pty Ltd, Workforce Plus Inc., the Australian Renewables Academy and DEC Housing — remain stable. We are committed to working together to honour Bernadette’s legacy by continuing to advance and build upon the initiatives she so passionately championed.
Should you have any questions about the future direction of the MGA Group or any of its entities, or wish to speak with us directly, please don’t hesitate to get in touch by contacting info@workforceplus.com.au.
We thank you for your ongoing support and partnership. Bernadette strongly believed in collaboration with the government and the community alike — a belief that we will carry forward in all that we do.
The Management Governance Australia Group Leadership Team
Australian Renewables Academy
The Australian Renewables Academy is leading national and regional conversations around workforce requirements for the new energy revolution.
We are:
Ensuring industry can draw on the right skills in the right place at the right time to deliver Australia's renewables future.
Supporting regions to thrive by optimising workforce engagement.
Creating opportunities for individuals to develop skills, knowledge and connections as they forge new careers.
Our goal is to empower local job seekers with the tools and connections they need to thrive in the renewable energy industry.
The Australian Renewables Academy is committed to:
Identifying and promoting careers in the renewable energy industry and providing a direct skills and workforce development channel for people looking to enter the industry.
We support apprentices training in Hydrogen, Solar Farms, Domestic Solar Installations, Batteries, Wind – Offshore and Onshore, EV Charging Station in the Clean Energy Industry sectors.
Developing, delivering and administering a range of training programs, including an Entry to Renewables Skills Ticket for employees transitioning into the renewable energy industry and a New Energy Leadership Program (Certificate IV) for the next generation of renewable energy leaders.
Offering guidance to job hunters on how to showcase their skills and credentials for open positions in the industry. Providing Mentorship with the ARA Apprenticeships Mentoring Program
Connecting job seekers to education and training providers and jobs within the renewable energy sector.
Working with schools, higher and tertiary education providers, employment services and the community to grow and develop the renewable energy industry around Australia.
Facilitating industry-led action research that fosters innovation and strengthens local economies and communities.
“‘... Australia’s clean energy future has never looked brighter.’”
RECOA Training Programmes
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Explore the educational programmes at the Renewable Construction Academy (RECOA)
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