Leading Vocational Education and Training executive joins PEER
Growing demand for its training and apprenticeship programs, and expansion into mining and defence, has led PEER to appoint Brian Rungie to the new position of General Manager- Training.
Mr Rungie has an extensive background in vocational education leadership- including as Executive Director of Education at TAFE SA – and will oversee the delivery of training within PEER.
PEER is South Australia’s leading training and assessment organisation for plumbing, electronics, electrical, data communications and refrigeration trades, and Mr Rungie said he was attracted by the non-profit organisation’s energy and strong reputation.
“Having worked in vocational education and training for many years, I was excited when walking through the PEER training workshops and saw the pride the trainers had in their apprentices and their training practice,” Mr Rungie said.
“PEER already has a strong industry reputation for its innovative training practices and quality apprentices, and I am looking forward to doing my part to support the growth in apprentices and trainees across South Australia.”
Mr Rungie said PEER’S strengths included its flexible programs, safety-focussed mindset and technology that allowed apprentices and their employers to track their progress together.
“The flexible training model enables apprentices to work at their own speed with trainers supporting them along the way.”
He said the organisation was growing as more employers took advantage of government incentives to employ apprentices, and he saw opportunity to further develop PEER’s VET (Vocational Educational Training) programs in schools.
“My role as General Manager of Training is a new one and I feel lucky to be involved with the organisation at such an exciting time of growth,” Mr Rungie said.
PEER CEO Peter Nolan described Brian as one of the nation’s top vocational educational training executives.
“Brian’s experience and knowledge of best practice and innovation will support PEER’S continued drive to find innovative solutions to the training and employment of the next generation of tradespeople in South Australia,” Mr Nolan said.
Brian Rungie began his career in hospitality in the 1990s, before moving into hotel management, then became a lecturer and program director for Le Cordon Bleu. He went on to strategic management roles, including a 16-year stint with TAFE SA, and project management for Fusco Constructions.
He holds several qualifications in education, business and project management, including a Master of Education Research from the University of Adelaide.
