Karen McLaughlan is a member of the Manufacturing Industry Skills Alliance, Stakeholder Engagement Team.  The Manufacturing Alliance is an industry-owned and industry-led organisation operating as the Jobs and Skills Council for the manufacturing sector.   The Manufacturing Alliance works in partnership with industry, government, unions, employers and training providers to find solutions to the skills and workforce challenges the industry faces.   Karen has substantial experience within the Australian and New Zealand tertiary education sectors and in leading community and employment programs with young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.