Western vice-chancellor Barney Glover to head Jobs and Skills Australia

The Albanese government chose Western Sydney University vice-chancellor Barney Glover as its top workforce adviser.

Vice-chancellor Barney Glover at Western Sydney University.

Western Sydney University vice-chancellor Barney Glover will become the Albanese government’s top workforce adviser when he takes up a new job as the commissioner of Jobs and Skills Australia.

Skills and Training Minister Brendan O’Connor said on Saturday that Professor Glover will commence in the role in April. The university chief announced in December that he would conclude his term as vice-chancellor in 2024 after spending over decade in the position.

Jobs and Skills Australia was set up after the Albanese government’s 2022 Jobs and Skills Summit as an expert source of advice to carry out workforce forecasting, identify labour imbalances and skill shortages, and do other labour market research.

Barney Glover

Marise Payne

Mr O’Connor said that, in his new role, Professor Glover would be a “a trusted, independent source of expert advice on Australia’s current and future skills needs and lead JSA’s work on researching workforce trends, skills, and workforce needs”.

As Professor Glover leaves Western, the university is gaining former Coalition minister and senator Marise Payne who will join as a vice-chancellor’s fellow and a professor of practice in international relations and public policy.

Ms Payne, who joined Western last week, is a former defence minister and a former foreign affairs minister and is the longest serving woman senator in Australia’s history. She was a senator for NSW from 1997 to 2023.

Western said that her role would include advising the university on its strategic priorities and its international engagement strategies, particularly in Southeast Asia and the South Pacific.