James Knynenburg

My name is James Knynenburg, I am a former Director of School for the School of Trades & Technology with the Australia Pacific Technical College (APTC); a project that I was proudly associated with for 8 years; with the last 6 and a half years (living & working) in Suva Fiji. I was previously the Academic and Country Manager for Fiji from 2008 to 2011 and prior to this from 2006 (during APTC’s inception) the Academic & Curriculum Manager. In July 2011, I was appointed the Director of School of Trades & Technology and concluded my tenure on 30/06/14. I possess strong Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) knowledge having commenced my TVET experience as a former vocational trainer, and now with more than 30 years training and managing Departments and Schools. I became the Business Unit Manager of the Construction Department of the Cooloola Sunshine Institute of Technical & Further Education (TAFE) in mid to late 1990’s. In 2003 I became the Product Manager for Queensland’s Department of Employment & Training (with a broad portfolio of industries); representing and managing TAFE Queensland’s interests in National Training Package (NTP) Qualification development and review; and thereby have a sound understanding of the Australian Training system and the relevant vocational training to Australian Qualification Standards. This led to my involvement in 2006 in the design of Australia Pacific Technical College (APTC) and the subsequent implementation of one of the Australian Governments (former AusAID now Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade – Australian AID), most successful Aid & Development projects. During my tenure with the APTC, whilst I was based in Fiji; I was responsible for and worked across all of the APTC Campus countries including Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Samoa.