
Jenni Butler
Chief Academic Officer
TAFE Queensland
With over 29 years of experience in the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector, Jenni Butler is a driving force behind Queensland’s educational innovation and workforce readiness. As Chief Academic Officer at TAFE Queensland, Jenni leads strategic academic initiatives that shape the state’s training landscape, ensuring alignment with industry needs and future workforce demands.
Jenni’s deep connection to regional and remote Queensland—where she has lived and worked for most of her life—positions her as a passionate advocate for equitable access to education and skills development. Her leadership has been instrumental in expanding training opportunities that empower individuals and strengthen communities, particularly in areas critical to infrastructure growth and economic development.
At the Queensland Olympic and Paralympic Infrastructure Summit, Jenni brings a unique perspective on how vocational education underpins the success of major infrastructure projects. Her insights into workforce planning, skills pipelines, and the integration of emerging technologies in training delivery make her a vital voice in shaping the legacy of the 2032 Games.
Jenni also chairs the TAFE Queensland Academic Board and is committed to nurturing future leaders within the education sector. Her vision ensures that Queensland’s training systems remain agile, inclusive, and capable of supporting the transformative infrastructure required for the Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond.
SESSIONS
Day 2
1:50
Panel: Workforce strategies for 2032 delivery
Developing skills pipelines through government–industry partnerships, TAFE, and universities to meet Olympic-scale delivery needs and build lasting capability across Queensland’s infrastructure sector
Addressing workforce mobility challenges including housing, relocation and regional capability gaps
Exploring how education and training providers are equipping graduates and apprentices with job-ready skills for infrastructure delivery
Retaining talent and managing labour costs sustainably in a competitive construction and infrastructure market
Moderator: Brad Wood, Growth Leader – Major Games and Events, GHD, Co-Chair, Infrastructure Association of Queensland (IAQ) 2032 Games Taskforce
Geoff Clare, Chief Executive Officer, Construction Skills Queensland
Jenni Butler, Chief Academic Officer, TAFE Queensland
Adam Pennicott, Executive Director, Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives, Delivery and Partnerships Division, Department of Trade, Employment and Training
