Belinda Campbell was a Commonwealth Public Servant for over 15 years, and a former provider of government services in employment, disability, skills and training, Belinda has held senior leadership roles responsible for shaping, managing and delivering key social policies and programs.   

As the First Assistant Secretary role for the Apprenticeship and Foundation Skills Division, Belinda is responsible for leading a team that provides national leadership and advice on the policies and multi-billion incentives that ensure the steady supply of skilled workers through the Australian apprenticeship system, as well as policies and programs to build the capacity and long-term resilience of our labour market through support for the core language, literacy, numeracy and digital skills (also known as foundation skills) necessary to participate in work and life.   

The Division is also responsible for the delivering a number of the Government’s key election commitments and Jobs and Skills Summit outcomes, including: the delivery 10,000 New Energy Apprenticeships linked to the Powering Australia Plan and transition to a NetZero economy; establishing an Australian Skills Guarantee that will introduce new national targets for apprentices on Commonwealth infrastructure and IT contracts, including specific targets for women to help tackle gender segregation in the apprenticeship system; reforming and refocusing Commonwealth apprenticeship support services to ensure more apprentices remain in training and complete their qualifications, the reform of the Skills for Education and Employment and improving pathways and opportunities for Women in VET. In addition, the Division is responsible for working with states and territories to; develop a 10 year strategy for foundation skills, lift the profile of VET in Secondary School, improve the links between state and Commonwealth apprenticeship programs to improve quality, ensure the delivery of Fee Free TAFE places and investment in capital and capability through a range of local initiatives under the TAFE Technology fund . The Division is also supporting the Strategic Review of the Australian Apprenticeships Incentives System, led by Iain Ross and Lisa Paul, investigating the support available to help more people start, stay in and successfully complete apprenticeships and traineeships.   

Prior to joining the Apprenticeship and Foundation Skills Division in mid-2020 Belinda worked in Trades Recognition Australia and the VET Tuition Protection Scheme in the Skills and Training Group. Belinda has worked in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet over a number of years as the Chief People Officer in 2018 and in Indigenous Affairs in key policy areas such as Education, Children’s Safety, Remote school attendance and Remote Housing from 2012. Belinda started her public service career in DEEWR in 2009 working on social inclusion, social enterprises, then moving to labour market policy including youth, long term unemployed and homelessness.