Meet our Executive Team

Head Office, Batemans Bay

Jill Millard

Training Director

Jill is our Training Director and she has worked in the Education and Training sector for  over 40 years and has been teaching in the VET sector since 1992.

In addition to her teaching career, Jill has also co-owned and operated an number of hospitality businesses. Jill enjoys being a VET trainer as it provides her the opportunity to make a real difference in peoples lives. One of her favourite motivational sayings is “Dream Big… Set Goals… Take Action”.

“I gain a lot of pleasure from seeing students achieve, gain confidence and improve their prospects for change and success. Enabling them to achieve their goals, and making an impact on their life and future is very rewarding.”

Head Office, Batemans Bay

Steve Millard

Chief Executive Officer

As CEO of National College of Vocational Education, Steve is responsible for all aspects of the Business and ensuring its success. Steve’s experience as General Manager of the organisation has set him up with the necessary skills to ensure the Company reaches its full potential.

Steve’s previous career in the NSW Police Force means that he has exceptional communication and problem solving skills which he has continued to develop since joining Steven Millard and Associates Pty Ltd. Steve’s time in the Police Force has enabled him to have excellent organisation and administration skills, negotiation skills. Steve’s skills enable him to work under immense pressure and get excellent results.

Steve has over 8 years’ experience with National College of Vocational Education and throughout this time he has been responsible for the day to day running of the organisation including strategic planning, human resource management, marketing, financial management, government liaison and government contract negotiation and contract management, policy development and implementation and complaint resolution.

NCVE International

Emma McComb

NCVE International Director

Emma’s is an intellectual property professional and her experience spans a variety of different industries including Aviation and Aerospace, Defence, Biotechnology, Chemistry, and Education and Training.

Emma manages NCVE International and our Queensland operations as well as being responsible for business development and contracts across the organisation. Emma previously worked as Intellectual Property Manager for Airbus Group Australia Pacific where she was responsible for all aspects of Intellectual Property management including contract and licence negotiation, commercialisation, business development, training, contract management, dispute negotiation and policy and process development. She was also a Registered Patent and Trademark attorney from 2008-2017. Emma’s career variety has broadened her skills and knowledge and she is a strong advocate of career development utilising training and education.

Favourite quote: “Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change” – Jim Rohn

Meet our Experienced Staff

NCVE International

Desiree Coggins

General English

Desiree’s been working as an English teacher with NCVE since 2020. Before that, she was a volunteer teacheer at an English conversation class in Japan for 18 months following her graduation.

Along with English, Desiree is multi-lingual speaking French, Spanish and Japanese. Desiree enjoys being able to interact with so many people in her role as an ELICOS Teacher as she has the opportunity to help them in a very real way that can improve their lives, both here in Australia and abroad.

Best Motivational Advice: 

When things get difficult, the worst thing you can do is give up. It’s okay to change your mind and do something different, but if you really want something you can’t give up. You’ll get there eventually.

Favourite quote:

“No matter what happens, you will never be alone” –  There is always someone around you who is willing to help, if only you ask for it.

Goulburn

Nikki Cole

Business, Hospitality and Retail

Nikki joined the NCVE in July 2019 and operates out of Goulburn.

Nikki loves working as a trainer and assessor as she loves to help people realise their true potential. The best advice she loves to share is “Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing”. – Pele

Favourite Quote:

Education which doesn’t mould character is absolutely worthless. – Mahatma Gandhi.

 

NCVE International

Nathaly Trujillo

NCVE International Marketing, Commuinication and Student Support

Nathaly is a Marketing and Communications professional with 6 years experience.

For the last 3 years she has been working with international students to provide them with the support, tools and information they need to have a fantastic experience in Australia and succeed in their goals.

Nathaly loves her roles as has found out that working with International students, is to work with dreamers. It is to have the opportunity to open her mind to learn new ways to see, understand and enjoy life. It is to have the chance to meet new people, make new friends and grow with them while is helping them to achieve their goals.

Best Motivational Advice:
Enjoy every moment of this experience, learn as much as you can, make friends, visit new places and don’t be afraid of changes, because this experience open your mind, addressing you to enjoy the life in all its colors, flavors and shapes.

Favourite Quote:
Imagine that you are reading a book, but you can’t go back, you can’t not read any page or line again. How much attention do you use to read it? That’s life.

Head Office, Batemans Bay

Steve Millard

Chief Executive Officer

As CEO of National College of Vocational Education, Steve is responsible for all aspects of the Business and ensuring its success. Steve’s experience as General Manager of the organisation has set him up with the necessary skills to ensure the Company reaches its full potential.

Steve’s previous career in the NSW Police Force means that he has exceptional communication and problem solving skills which he has continued to develop since joining Steven Millard and Associates Pty Ltd. Steve’s time in the Police Force has enabled him to have excellent organisation and administration skills, negotiation skills. Steve’s skills enable him to work under immense pressure and get excellent results.

Steve has over 8 years’ experience with National College of Vocational Education and throughout this time he has been responsible for the day to day running of the organisation including strategic planning, human resource management, marketing, financial management, government liaison and government contract negotiation and contract management, policy development and implementation and complaint resolution.

NCVE International

Frank Crull

Business, Leadership & Management, Hospitality and English

Frank joined NCVE International in 2020 as a VET and ESL teacher. He has been working as a trainer and assessor for 15 years, teaching hospitality, business, leadership & management and ESL.

Most of Frank’s industry experience was gained in Germany, England and Australia working in the hotel and entertainment sector, where he had the opportunity to work in various line staff and leadership positions.

Frank enjoys working in education as he likes working with people and helping them to get the best out of themselves.

Best motivational advice: 
Watch out for people that inspire you and keep them close by.

Favourite quote:
If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.

Batemans Bay

Dean Yates

Retail, Business

Dean has over 27 years experience in small business, hospitality and retail roles with over 10 years experience in sales and marketing roles.

He enjoys training  and mentoring students and particularly enjoys working with students in the interactive classroom environment.

Favourite motivational advice: I’m not telling you that it’s going to be easy, I’m telling you it’s going to be worth it.

Batemans Bay

Michael Siecker

Business and Retail

Prior to moving into the Education industry, Michael spent 25 years working in the Electrical Retail industry. During this time, he worked in a variety of roles including Sales and Managerial positions.

Michael enjoys working in the Education industry because he has the opportunity to be able to help people work towards gaining extra qualifications that allow them to be able to run their businesses more efficiently.

Best Motivational Advice:

A piece of motivational advice I often give to clients is to always document all their ideas and thoughts on to a list which they can then work through and tick off as they complete each task instead of getting stressed trying to remember everything from memory.

Favourite Quote:

Knowledge is Power

NCVE International

Michelle Nishino

NCVE International Marketing Manager

Having lived in 4 different countries and the ability to speak 3 languages fluently, Michelle applies the skills and knowledge she has learnt through these experiences into her career in International Education.

On top of student recruitment and relationship management, Michelle has a demonstrated specialisation in Edu-tourism (study tours) through her large contribution in reaching the peak revenue of 4 million for the customised programs section at the University of New South Wales.

Working in the education industry has given Michelle the opportunity to help create more competent and kinder members of the community. Student mobility and international experiences help individuals develop empathy and she feels that it is an honour to be a part of the students’ journeys into becoming a global citizen.

Best motivational advice 
Education is a gift that should not be taken for granted. Knowledge is a tool that once you have earned it, it can never be taken away from you and you can use it however you would like.

Favourite quote
“Knowledge is of no value unless you put it into practice” – Anton Chekhov

NCVE International

Linda Towler

Academic Manager - TESOL

Linda is the Academic Manager at our International School. She is a highly experienced, self-motivated and dedicated International Education professional.

Linda has extensive Campus, Operations and Academic management experience across a diverse range of International Education sectors.

Linda loves that ‘the world’ visits our College and classrooms each and every day. She believes that it’s a pleasure and privilege to partner with our International Students, contributing to and sharing in their success and shaping their futures as ‘Global Citizens’.

Favourite motivational advice: Follow your passion, love what you do and do what you love.

Head Office, Batemans Bay

Jill Millard

Training Director

Jill is our Training Director and she has worked in the Education and Training sector for  over 40 years and has been teaching in the VET sector since 1992.

In addition to her teaching career, Jill has also co-owned and operated an number of hospitality businesses. Jill enjoys being a VET trainer as it provides her the opportunity to make a real difference in peoples lives. One of her favourite motivational sayings is “Dream Big… Set Goals… Take Action”.

“I gain a lot of pleasure from seeing students achieve, gain confidence and improve their prospects for change and success. Enabling them to achieve their goals, and making an impact on their life and future is very rewarding.”

Wollongong

Ruby Mylott

Wollongong Receptionist

Ruby recently joined our NCVE team in Wollongong and is completing a Traineeship in Business as Administration.

Ruby has previously been working in the Hospitality industry for seven years. She is really enjoying being able to study and work at the same time to broaden her experiences and is pleased she is able to do this within a training organisation.

Best Motivational Advice: 

To take risks and be spontaneous. Growth doesn’t come from being comfortable.

Favourite quote:

Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.

Wollongong

Brooke Seage

Business, Retail, Leadership & Management

Brooke joined the NCVE team in 2017 and in her role as Smart & Skilled Program lead, she work closely with the NCVE team to deliver exceptional learning and development out comes for NCVE, students and clients throughout NSW.

Brooke draws on my experience as a qualified trainer and assessor of 10years and 20years industry experience in business to deliver classes that are fun, engaging and of the highest educational standard. Brooke loves working as a trainer and assessor as each day she has the opportunity to make a difference , inspire hope, ignite someone’s imagination, add another perspective, inspire a love of learning or help shape a student’s future.

Favourite motivational advice:

Success is a journey not a destination. Whether you think you can or you think you can’t…you are right. Everyone has greatness within them. If you believe it you can achieve incredible things.

Favourite quotes: 

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world” – Mahatma Gandhi

“If you can dream it, you can do it.” – Walt Disney

Sydney

Katie Pascoe

Business, Retail, Leadership & Management

I am a Training Specialist with over 13 years teaching experience in the areas of business management, hospitality management, retail management, marketing and automotive manufacturing.

Katie has worked in a range of industries at various levels including hospitality, automotive and retail. Katie enjoys seeing the growth that happens when our students progress through and complete their qualification.

Best motivational advice:
There is always another way to approach the challenge.

Favourite quote:
“When something is important enough, you do it, even if the odds are not in your favour.” – Elon Musk

Canberra

Angela Skinner

Administrative Assistant

Angela started with the NCVE in late 2017, after working in various administrative and other roles in both the public and private sectors.

Angela’s writing background and her previous experience in writing for a variety of audiences has come in handy when communicating with the diverse audiences associated with the NCVE.

“I trust in the Australian education system and love that I might, even in the smallest way, help to re-educate adults who might have missed out for one reason or other, especially those who are already disadvantaged such as single mums, or people who suddenly found themselves without their support structures “.

Favourite quote
“Only the educated are free.” — Epictetus

 

Batemans Bay

Pieter van der Chys

Retail, Business

Pieter has experience in business, retail, sales, marketing, labour hire, and recruitment and training.

Pieter uses these past experiences, along with lessons learnt when he owned and operated his own businesses,  in training our retail and business courses.

Wollongong

Anna Stacey

NEIS

Anna is an experienced small business owner who began as a successful NEIS graduate herself. Her background encompasses many years in business, marketing and advertising, product design and development as well as vocational training.

 

A natural encourager and leader, Anna is a passionate and dynamic mentor who thrives on empowering others to succeed.

Her favourite aspect of teaching is those moments when ‘the lights come on’, as a student fully grasps a new concept and powers forward, equipped with new understanding and knowledge to confidently to reach their goals. Anna believes that there is ‘gold’ in every student and that through encouragement, direction and motivation that gold is discovered and enabled to shine.

Motivational advice:

Always let your passion shine brighter than your fears. It is your passion that enables you to dream big and dare to fail. Don’t look back – it is never too late to be what you might have been. A year from now you will be glad you did.

Favourite quotes:

Be yourself; everyone else is already taken – Oscar Wilde
I would rather die of passion than of boredom – Vincent Van Gogh
Learn from the mistakes of others, You can’t live long enough to make them all yourself. – Eleanor Roosevelt

NCVE International

Emma McComb

NCVE International Director

Emma’s is an intellectual property professional and her experience spans a variety of different industries including Aviation and Aerospace, Defence, Biotechnology, Chemistry, and Education and Training.

Emma manages NCVE International and our Queensland operations as well as being responsible for business development and contracts across the organisation. Emma previously worked as Intellectual Property Manager for Airbus Group Australia Pacific where she was responsible for all aspects of Intellectual Property management including contract and licence negotiation, commercialisation, business development, training, contract management, dispute negotiation and policy and process development. She was also a Registered Patent and Trademark attorney from 2008-2017. Emma’s career variety has broadened her skills and knowledge and she is a strong advocate of career development utilising training and education.

Favourite quote: “Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change” – Jim Rohn

Wollongong

Amy Sutcliffe

Retail

Amy recently joined the NCVE team and has 15 years previous experience working in retail.

For the past 2 years, Amy has been delivering alternative education to 15-17 years olds alongside general adult education. Amy enjoys working in the education industry as it provides people with the chance for growth and change.

Best Motivational Advice:
We all have our own strengths and attributes where we find our own way of doing things and that’s ok.

Favourite Quote:
If at first you don’t succeed , try, try again.

Sydney

Ken Nolan

NCVE Business Development

Ken enjoys working in the education industry as it gives him the opportunity to leave a positive imprint on people’s personal and professional lives by growing knowledge and skills.

Ken is a big believer in the power of learning and education and advises individuals to  make a start just to get moving and through the support of others, your learning will gather a momentum all of its own.

Favourite Quote:

“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” – Benjamin Franklin, Founding Father of the US Constitution.

Nowra

Lynne Vaughan

Retail, Business

Lynne joined NCVE in early 2018 and is an experienced retail and business trainer working at our Nowra Campus.

She enjoys the diversity in each day, the students, the subjects and the interesting answers and ideas that come up in class.

Favourite Quote: “You may think it’s the end of the journey that matters but really, it’s the journey that matters in the end!” 

Sydney

Erin Buscombe

Business, Retail, Leadership & Management

Erin previously 13 years with Flight Centre Travel Group allowed me to experience a number of careers in the one company.

Erin spent 7 years in the retail space, including working in management and then moved into Learning and Development where she worked as a facilitator, a coach, a mentor, content developer and assessor.

Erin really loves arming people with great skills and techniques for life – there is nothing more rewarding that helping someone achieve excellence.

Best Motivational Advice:
Our brains are such amazing organs – the more you know, the greater your capacity to know more! SO every tiny piece of knowledge you acquire, it makes it possible to fit more in – learning is the gift that keeps giving!

Favourite quote:
Get curious before you get furious

NCVE International

Ellie Fuller

Intensive General English, IELTS, Cambridge Examination Preparation

Ellie has been working as a teacher for 9 years initially teaching in General English. For the past 6 years, Ellie has also taught Academic English (Cambridge and IELTS).

Prior to moving into teaching, Ellie also qualified as a lawyer. Ellie loves the opportunity to help others in a way that really influences their future for the better. She enjoys seeing the students develop knowledge and their futures expand.

Best Motivational Advice:

Progress is effort over time. With consistent effort and regular breaks to enjoy others areas of life you will achieve the result you want.

Favourite Quote:

“Only kindness matters in the end.” — Jewel, singer

NCVE International

Sarah Brisbane-Webb

Intensive General English, IELTS

Sarah joined NCVE Internation in 2019 and has a love of learning and teaching languages. She holds a Graduate Diploma in Education in English as a Second Language and Languages Other Than English (Arabic and French).

Sarah has taught English in Australia and the Middle East at all levels from Elementary to Advanced, including IELTS preparation courses.

Favourite thing about working in Education:

The best part of my job is seeing my students progress and grow in self-confidence. It is wonderful to see them achieve their personal and professional goals and to share in their journey. I strive to create a warm, supportive learning environment and I love seeing how this encourages students to step out of their comfort zones and reach their potential.

Favourite Quote:

‘Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried something new.’ — Albert Einstein

 

Wollongong

Paul Towson

Work Placement Manager

Paul recently joined NCVE and brings with him a wealth of expertise in a variety of business areas including general management, relationship building, executive arbitration & negotiating, systems & operations, and logistics & supply chain.

With over 33 years experience in a myriad of different roles, Paul enjoys the challenges that each role brings and is excited at the prospects of identifying new opportunities. Paul is a big believer that his strengths, enthusiam, reliability and loyalty are what breeds his success!

Favourite quote:
Build it and they will come!

Batemans Bay

Elissa Chapman

NCVE Admin Team

Elissa has 18 years’ experience working in the Hospitality Industry across front of house, administration and managerial roles.

She has worked in the Club Industry for 12 years and is a recipient of the Certified Club Managers Award. Working in the education industry is a new venture for Elissa and she is enjoying the challenges of being in a dynamic and evolving environment .

Best Motivational Advice: 

Always be true to yourself and what you believe in. Know what your limits are but don’t be scared to push past them.

Favourite Quote:

“Make every day count”

Wollongong

Jennifer Bird

Business, Leadership & Management

Jennifer started training in 1989 at St George bank covering induction of staff and all elements of finance training for 12 years.

This then expanded more broadly into Business and Leadership & Management training in the last 10years. Jennifer also owns and operates an Irish Dancing Academy for which she has been the Principal since 1991. Jennifer really enjoys being an educator who is able to help make a chnage in someone’s life.

Favourite Quote:

“The past is in your head, the future is in your hands”

 

NCVE International

Carolina Gutierrez

NCVE International Marketing Manager

Carolina joined NCVE International in 2019. Carolina graduated from Bachelor of International Marketing and Business Administration from ICESI University in Colombia.

With 5 years of experience in the international education industry, Carolina is passionate about marketing and helping our international students to reach their goals in Australia. Carolina’s work makes her happy! She enjoys meeting people from all over the world, making long term relationships with our partners and students and seeing our international students coming to Australia, enjoying their experience and achieving great things in this wonderland.

Best Motivational Advice

Enjoy the experience! Learn, study, meet new people, make new friends and keep in mind, you will never regret of having an international experience.

Favourite Quote

“What matters in life is not what happens to you but what you remember and how you remember it.” – Gabriel Garcia Marquez