Board of Directors

Joe Valenti is an accomplished executive with extensive experience in tertiary education and training institutions. He built a distinguished career at Curtin University, where he played a key role in advancing research and driving institutional growth. Joe later served as Deputy Chief Executive at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, a major tertiary institution in New Zealand.

His earlier roles include Chief Financial Officer and General Manager at the Northern Land Council in Darwin, following a successful career in the corporate sector with companies such as Wesfarmers/Bunnings.

Mark Seaward is a respected business professional who has held executive and senior management roles across a diverse range of sectors, including aged care, technical education, not-for-profit business advocacy, telecommunications and ICT services, FMCG manufacturing and health.

With a strong strategic regional outlook, Mark has served as Vice President of the Bunbury Geographe Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Vice Chair of Business South West Connect, and as a Board Member of Enable WA. He currently serves as Chairperson of the Dalyellup Senior College Board and Chairperson of the Board of GetCareers.

Bringing more than 25 years of experience in executive leadership and senior management, Mark has worked across international private commercial enterprises, not-for-profit organisations and within the State Government workforce sector, including roles in WA Health and TAFE.

Rosie Cahill has more than 30 years’ experience in the training and vocational education industries, holding roles across administration, leadership and human resources.

Seventeen of those years were spent with GetCareers (formerly The Apprentice and Traineeship Company), where she was involved in all aspects of youth employment and training. Rosie also represented GetCareers through a range of sporting organisations, including Souwest Jets Netball, South West Football League, Bunbury Rowing Club and the South West Academy of Sports (SWAS).

She is currently the Deputy Chairperson of the GetCareers Board and has served as a board member for several years.

In addition, Rosie has more than five years’ experience as a Training Manager in commercial services in the VET sector, and has worked in the commercial department of a large multinational mining company.

Rosie is also a current Director of SWAS and of her family’s consulting business, which primarily supports the mining and resources sector. In this role, she oversees marketing, business development and financial operations.

Steve Halbert brings extensive leadership and commercial experience to GetCareers, having formerly served as Director of Marsh and Austral Risk Services.

With a strong background in risk management, insurance and corporate governance, Steve has worked closely with organisations across a wide range of industries to support strategic decision-making and sustainable growth. His expertise in governance, compliance and risk oversight provides valuable insight to the organisation and supports the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities.

Ian Trigwell was appointed to the Board of Group Training South West Inc (now GetCareers) in 1987, initially representing the farming industry, particularly dairy farming. At the time, he was a member of the Western Australian Farmers Federation Inc agricultural training committee and was employing a farm trainee through Group Training. Having experienced firsthand the invaluable support provided by the organisation, Ian recognised the significant benefits it offered to both employers and trainees through its intermediary role.

He was particularly impressed by the voluntary nature of the Board, where members contributed their time and expertise to support young people starting their careers, assist host employers, and contribute to the growth and development of Western Australia.

Alongside expanding his dairy and beef farming business, raising a son and daughter who now run their own businesses, and serving in executive and member roles across various community and farming organisations, Ian has continued to dedicate time to the long-term growth and stability of GetCareers.

Ian remains proud of the organisation’s achievements and looks forward to seeing it continue to evolve and innovate to support trainees and employers into the future.

Kristy Gillian was appointed to the GetCareers Board in 2025 and brings over 25 years of experience across mining, oil and gas, utilities, education and recruitment. She is currently Strategic Initiatives Manager at Edith Cowan University (ECU) South West, and as a Board member of GetCareers, Kirsty contributes strategic insight across marketing, management, finance, governance, and partnerships.

At ECU, Kristy has supported initiatives including the launch of the Busselton Regional Study Hub and the design of the ConnectED Program, which delivers wrap-around support for regional students. She has developed multi-sector partnerships through initiatives like the Health and Education Precinct: Sustainable Futures Group, delivered more than 35 events annually connecting students and industry, and overseen grants and funding to support long-term projects.

Prior to joining the Board, Kristy held leadership roles at organisations including the Bunbury Geographe Chamber of Commerce and Industry, WorkPac, Western Power, ATI-Mirage and JMJ Associates. Her work in these roles included designing and delivering the South West Future Jobs and Skills Expo, leading digital transformation and innovation initiatives, implementing strategic and organisational change, and developing business growth strategies. She also played a key role in establishing an Energy and Innovation partnership agreement with the Urban Development Institute of Australia.

Kristy has served on the board of Manea Senior College and on a range of committees, including the WA Creative Tech Innovation Hub Steering Committee, the Health and Education Precinct Sustainable Futures Working Group (as co-chair), the Department of Training and Workforce Development Regional Coordinating Committee, and the UDIA Infrastructure Committee.

She holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Western Australia, majoring in marketing and management, and has completed further training in leadership, coaching, and communication.

Paul Taylor was appointed as a Board Member in 2025, bringing valuable perspective and experience to the role. With a background in leadership and mining, Paul will support the Board’s efforts in governance, strategic oversight and advancing the organisation’s mission.