TAFE SA chief David Coltman urged to ‘own underperformance’, board minutes reveal

The boss of TAFE SA has faced repeated questions about the quality of his work in closed door meetings, records have revealed.

The TAFE SA board repeatedly raised concerns about the performance of the organisation’s chief executive in a series of closed door meetings, minutes have revealed.

David Coltman was urged to “own underperformance” and offered mentoring several times to help him improve on issues including the quality of board submissions.

But chair Joanne Denley maintains the board is “extremely satisfied” with the performance of Mr Coltman, who she says has “increased accountability and transparency across TAFE SA”.

Mr Coltman also said he has been advised the board is happy with his performance.

The concerns are noted in the in-camera minutes of several meetings, which were released to the state opposition under Freedom of Information laws.

They reveal that, in September 2019, several board members expressed a view that the senior executive group “weren’t working at the right level”, and that submissions made to the board “were not clear, concise and outcome-focused”.

TAFE SA CEO David Coltman took up the role in April 2019. Picture: Supplied

“It is obvious that the lack of capability under the senior executive group needs focus and resolution,” the minutes went on to say.

The board also discussed the submissions and performance of Mr Coltman. Issues mentioned include typos, incorrect words and time frames, as well as questions over whether submissions were being “properly reviewed and checked” before being submitted to the board.

However, the concerns had not been resolved before a meeting was held in February 2020.

Minutes of a closed-door discussion held at that meeting state the chief executive “needs to own underperformance” and “balance his focus more on this than stakeholder management”.

They also recommend that, given this is a “first-time CEO position for David”, Mr Coltman is “re-offered a mentor” that can support him in a government environment.

Then, in July of that year, minutes reveal that some counselling had taken place on issues including the quality of board papers.

But the group was still not satisfied with Mr Coltman’s performance.

“Chair undertook to again counsel CE (chief executive) that he will be judged as poor performer by poor executive performance,” the minutes say.

When contacted by the Sunday Mail, Mr Coltman said he has been provided with great support since his appointment.

“The board’s support, guidance and contribution is highly valued,” he said. “I appreciate their feedback and insights.

“We have a strong working relationship and together we will ensure that TAFE SA is delivering the benchmark for quality vocational education and training in South Australia.”

Ms Denley said Mr Coltman had worked closely with the board to develop and deliver a new strategy for the organisation.

She said the board looked forward to continuing the partnership.

“Our board meetings will always include open, honest and transparent discussions to ensure that TAFE SA continues to be a key provider of quality education across the state,” she said.

Opposition education spokesman Blair Boyer called on the government to reassure students and staff that Mr Coltman was the right person to lead the organisation.

“We have a jobs crisis in this state,” he said.

“It is more important than ever that our public training provider is being supported to give those unemployed and underemployed South Australians the skills they need to find more work.

“Unfortunately, it looks like the board is more preoccupied with dealing with the chief executive’s poor performance than focusing on this critical task.”