Austraining International is a commercial organisation wholly owned by the Government of South Australia. This is a unique public private partnership, combining Government status with operating under the requirements of the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC). The Minister for Further Education is the sole shareholder and has a representative seat on the Austraining Board of Directors, currently Elaine Bensted. With the Government of South Australia's support and commitment Austraining has grown from a small, locally based niche service provider employing less than 10 people, to become a thriving international business with more than 100 people in Australia, Indonesia and throughout the Asia Pacific.

South Australian Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology

The Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology (DFEEST) reflects and supports the South Australian Government’s priorities of sustaining a vibrant economy and socially inclusive community by developing the State’s workforce, skills base and life long learning opportunities. DFEEST is committed to developing scientific research and economic opportunities to enable South Australia to capitalise on current expertise, and create partnerships and opportunities for growth.

The Board and CEO

Mr John Bastian - Chairman John Bastian has been a Director of Austraining International since May 2001 and is a former member of the South Australian Economic Development Board (EDB). He was on the EDB from 2002 to 2007, including Deputy Chair from 2004 and a member of the Executive Committee of Cabinet from March 2006 to December 2007.This Board reports directly to the South Australian Premier and is responsible for recommending strategies and policies for the economic development of South Australia. He has been a Director of a number of organisations both in the public and private sectors, and is currently a director at TGR Biosciences and The Dairy Farmers milk cooperative. During his tenure as CEO of Sola International, the company became the third largest employer in South Australia. John was also Acting Chief Executive of SAGRIC International and oversaw the sale and privatisation of the company. John was awarded the Business Review Weekly Business Leader of the Year award in 1990.

Mr Kym Davis - Managing Director Kym Davis has been the CEO of Austraining International since 2001 and has recently been appointed as the Managing Director. Kym has been working in international development since 1984 including 12 years with SAGRIC International. His qualifications include a Masters Degree in Project Management from Western Carolina University and he is a Certified Project Management Professional with the Project Management Institute – USA. Kym has extensive experience in World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, African Development Bank, DIFD and AusAID project design, planning and management. He has worked in 24 countries with individual project teams and country and regional teams managing large portfolios of projects. He also has extensive experience in organisational and corporate strategic planning and management, both internationally and in Australia.

Ms Elaine Bensted – Director Elaine Bensted is Deputy Chief Executive, Employment and Training Services for the Department for Further Education, Employment Science and Technology. She has responsibility for TAFE SA, Traineeship and Apprenticeship Services, Employment Programs and Corporate Communications. Elaine joined DFEEST in the role of Executive Director Shared Business Services in 2004, with responsibility for Finance, HR and IT. Prior to this she had over 3 years experience as Executive Director, Corporate Services for the Department for Trade and Economic Development (DTED). Prior to this role, Elaine was the Director of Corporate Services for the City of Burnside and has had previous roles in the private finance sector – including human resource and training management, operation and project management and running a branch of a bank. Her qualifications include an MBA and a Masters in Public Policy and Management.

	Dr David Cruickshanks-Boyd – Director David Cruickshanks-Boyd is currently the South Australian Regional Director for Parsons Brinckerhoff, a global infrastructure engineering professional services company, which employs over 12,000 people worldwide. He has been involved at management level in the professional services field for 25 years, and brings to the role skills in creating a client-focused organisation. He is on the State Committee of WaterAid Australia, which raises funds for water and sanitation projects in developing countries within our region. David is passionate about the organisations he is involved with leaving a lasting legacy for people and future generations.
	Ms Jill Byrne Jill has over 25 years experience in the management and implementation of international aid delivery projects and has worked in a range of countries including Cambodia, China, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Kiribati, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tonga and Vietnam.  Jill was a Director of Cardno Acil, one of Australia’s leading international development companies, responsible for all business development.   Following retirement, she had several years as a Non-Executive Director for the company.  Jill was a Non-Executive Director on the Board of Crescent-PSS, a firm providing specialist expertise to the resources sector in Australia and overseas, until its acquisition by Hyder Consulting in 2008. Before joining Cardno Acil, Jill spent many years as an independent consultant advising clients in the international aid delivery field and more broadly in terms of strategies for internationally focused activities. She has worked closely on projects with aid agencies such as AusAID, the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. She has a strong record in the management of successful tenders for international work. Jill’s earlier experience was in executive management roles in consulting engineering companies that were delivering projects in Australia and internationally.
	Ms Dianne Hill Dianne Hill is a fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Institute of Chartered Accountants, and a member of the Institute of Project Management.  A Director of Insearch Limited, a controlled entity of the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS), where she chairs the Audit committee; Director of management consulting business Sector Research and past Director of the Australian Consumers Association and Internal Audit Bureau (IAB) of NSW. Dianne’s background is in chartered accounting, financial services and program management of large IT and business projects in both the public and private sector.  Dianne is a facilitator for the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a member of the Chartered Accountants Advisory Group and has published 2 books.