AEN(SA) Board

Luke-Walsh

Luke Walsh, President

Luke Walsh is the Chief Executive Officer at Trainee & Apprentice Placement Service (TAPS).

TAPS is one of South Australia’s largest and most respected group training organisations. With over two decades of experience in operational and leadership roles within the apprentice and trainee employment sector, Luke has established himself as a passionate advocate for skills development and workforce readiness.

Under Luke’s leadership, TAPS employs more than 400 apprentices and trainees, who are hosted across over 120 host employers across primarily plumbing and associated industries. His strategic vision and hands-on approach have been instrumental in driving sustainable growth, fostering partnerships, and delivering tailored workforce solutions that meet the needs of both employers and the next generation of skilled professionals.

He is committed along with his team to enhancing the apprentice and trainee experience, ensuring quality placements, and contributing to the development of a skilled and adaptable workforce in South Australia.

A dynamic and results-oriented leader, Luke is dedicated to building pathways for individuals to achieve their career goals while supporting the success of businesses and industries across the state.

Jason Polgreen

Jason Polgreen, Vice President

Jason Polgreen is a not-for-profit executive and non-executive director with extensive strategic and operational experience in the areas of Vocational Education and Training (VET), Industry Advocacy and Automotive After-Sale Service. Results-driven, he has led strategy and change management programs with diverse teams through periods of complex change and uncertainty.

Jason became a member of the Board in 2020

As General Manager Apprentice Employment Solutions at the Motor Trade Association (SA/NT), Jason is responsible for managing the MTA’s Group Training Organisation (GTO), supporting members in growing the pipeline of professional automotive technicians, executives and business owners within the industry.

Jason is a graduate of The Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds an MBA from the University of South Australia.

A former MTA group training apprentice himself, Jason also holds a Certificate III in Automotive Mechanical Repairs (Light Vehicle). As a result of his personal experience, he is passionate about ensuring group training continues to provide opportunities for young people in one of the many career options AEN-SA’s network of GTO’s provide.

Greg Megaw

Greg Megaw, Director

Greg Megaw is the General Manager of Group Training Employment (GTE) based in Mount Gambier which covers employment opportunities across the Limestone Coast Region of South Australia.

Greg became a member of the Board in 2022

Prior to joining Group Training Employment, Greg had a successful career as a Master Plumber in the Construction Industry.

Greg has been involved in the group training sector for 22 years, initially commencing as a Field Officer with GTE in 2000 before being promoted to Field Operations Manager in 2009. Later years, saw him appointed to his current role of General Manager.

Greg brings extensive knowledge and experience to the Group Training sector and is a passionate advocate of the Group Training model which provides fantastic opportunities for people in local communities.

Greg Bassani OAM, Director

Greg Bassani is the Chief Executive Officer of Adelaide Training and Employment Centre (ATEC); a large not-for-profit training provider which incorporates a GTO.

With two large metropolitan locations, at Ottoway in the North and Lonsdale in the South, and delivery throughout South Australia, ATEC provides trade training in electrical, mechanical engineering, metal fabrication, and construction. The GTO covers additional areas such as refrigeration and air-conditioning, data and communications, business, and plumbing.

Greg has worked in research and development within the defence sector and has been the CEO for the peak body of the state’s electronics manufacturing industry. He has also worked extensively in vocational education and training for many years in roles including teaching, senior and executive management, and in his current position as CEO of ATEC.  Greg is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and of Engineers Australia, and has professional qualifications in technology, education, and management, which are underpinned by several paraprofessional and trade qualifications in electrotechnology.

Greg became a member of the Board in 2023

Tina-200x300

Tina Reis, Director

Tina has worked in the vocational education and training sector for 19 years with management experience across Registered Training Organisations, Australian Apprenticeship Support Networks  and more recently managing the MEGT – RMS  Group Training Organisation across 2 states of Australia.

Tina has qualifications in Training & Assessment, Workplace Health and Safety, Return to Work SA coordinator and various management programs.

A highly motivated professional with experience across many disciplines including Sales, Customer Service, Project management, Business Planning, Quality and Compliance, Coaching, Program Design, Facilitation, with experience working in the retail environment, RTO and service sectors and also providing support to large organisations  to achieve business improvement and change management within their Apprentice programs.

Currently Tina is the SA WA Manager of MEGT, Recruitment and Management Services (RMS) based in Adelaide.

Established in 1982 MEGT(Australia) Ltd  is an Australian not for profit organisation that has been supporting employers, apprentices trainees and students for over 30 years.

MEGT recognises that each workplace is different, we offer a tailored flexible approach that enables employers and apprentices to access a range of services across all states of Australia and UK.

MEGT is committed to supporting the entire process including recruitment, payroll & apprenticeship services, and providing quality employment and education solutions.

Tina became a member of the Board in 2016

Brian Rungie, Director

Brian Rungie is the Chief Executive Office of PEER Education, Employment and Training where he leads an organisation that is committed to building trade careers through quality apprenticeships, employment and training.

Brian became a member of the Board in 2024.

Brian is a proven outcome focused innovative leader who has operationally and strategically led large teams within the TAFE and private educational sectors for over 20 years. He has driven improvements in commercial activity, service experience, organisational performance and alignment to industry/business need. Strengths include the use of effective leadership, stakeholder management, strategic and project planning and analytical decision making/problem solving to support organisations, industry and the broader community collectively realise strategic and operational objectives.

Brian holds a Master of Educational Research and was awarded the Golden Keys for academic success, Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Business and Diploma of Hospitality Management.

AEN(SA) Committees

Work Health and Safety Consultative Committee

Representatives from:

  • GTOs
  • Employers Mutual Limited
  • ReturnToWork SA
  • SafeWork SA

Objectives

  • To continuously improve Workplace Health, Safety and Welfare standards of members
  • To develop targeted interventions & strategies on identified WHS issues to contribute to safety performance of members
  • To continuously improve the WHS knowledge of AEN members and host employers
  • To provide strategic advice and direction to the AEN Board and interested parties on matters relating WHS

Functions

  • Monitor and analyse industry WHS performance and trends
  • Identifying, developing, implementing or recommend targeted interventions or programs
  • Developing procedures, guidelines and standards for its members
  • Assist with WHS issue resolution