Andrew is an award-winning vocational education management professional with a passion for helping people reach their potential. A teacher by trade, he has delivered training and coaching sessions to over 3,000 people. He oversees one of the best-known cyber security training providers in the country, sits on the executive of one of Australia’s largest cyber security solution providers, and has deep experience in training package development.

‘A man walks into a pub’ is often the start of a funny story. For Andrew Shea, it was the start of a career in education.

“I walked into a pub for a meeting with the owner,” said Andrew. “I started my career in hospitality and was interested in buying the pub. While we talked, the owner said a registered training organisation (RTO) used the function room upstairs as a classroom. I went up there to learn more about their work and I was immediately inspired by their approach and passion."

Soon after, he decided to change career direction, got his training qualification and began training Melbourne hospitality venues on how to build efficiency and market themselves.

That was 20 years ago. Since then, he has worked in executive level roles across leading tertiary education providers.

TOWARDS BRIGHTER FUTURES

Andrew was CEO of the Complex Institute of Education which specialised in delivering qualifications for the security sector, including physical security, private and government investigation, airport security, counter-terrorism, security management and electronic security systems. Under his leadership, over 15,000 students graduated from their studies and progressed towards brighter futures.

After five years there he became CEO of House of Learning - Builders Academy Australia. The RTO offers nationally accredited business and trade qualifications for the building and construction industry. It was part of the Simonds Group (ASX:SIO) with Andrew sitting on the executive team of the larger group, being responsible for all internal learning and development, across his six years there.

“In the RTO we had face-to-face delivery in more than 65 training venues across four Australian states and online classrooms providing walkthroughs on virtual building sites and 3D building information modelling at various building stages,” he said.

Under his leadership, it became the market leader for building and construction education, winning the Australian Training Provider of the Year in 2020. In 2021 Andrew successfully led the sale of the business to a private equity firm.

“Risk mitigation, project management, asset protection, and innovative uses of technology for learning were a common theme in both of those businesses," said Andrew, “so my move into cyber security was a natural step.”

TRAINING 5,000 STUDENTS A YEAR

Today he is a Managing Partner - Academy & Internal Group Capability, at Tesserent, one of Australia’s largest cyber security providers, owned by French aviation, defence and electronics group Thales.

He oversees Tesserent’s internal learning and development and has direct responsibility for the Tesserent Academy, set up to address cyber security industry skills shortages by delivering education programs both with Tesserent and to the broader sector. With the acquisition of ALC Training in 2023, the Academy now offers cyber security training to 5,000 students a year.

Underlying all his business success is a passion for skills development and a focus on helping people be the best they can, particularly for priority groups.

Andrew is a board member of Kowanj, a charity which supports the emerging social, educational and employment needs of African refugees and new and emerging communities in Australia.

He is also a board advisor to the Top 100 Women group which works to increase female participation in trades. While running Builders Academy Australia, he doubled female participation in building trades. This focus on supporting diversity has continued into his role with Tesserent, through a partnership established with the Australian Women in Security Network (AWSN).

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Andrew’s significant impact on education has been regularly recognised by the industry. He won a prestigious Professional Services category at the CEO Awards two years in a row, and the training businesses he led won a string of state and national awards.

Last year, he was presented with a lifetime achievement award by the Institute for Learning and Performance.

“However, I still feel like I’ve only just begun,” said Andrew. “My involvement with the Future Skills Organisation opens another new chapter.”

As Chair of the FSO’s new Cyber Security Technical Committee, he will steer the FSO’s strategic approach to cyber security training.

 “The group has an impressive list of leaders from across industry, education and technology to help me. We’re well-versed in the mechanisms of training package development and implementation and together we understand what the industry wants and what the skills gap genuinely looks like.

“In addition, there is a lot of confusion about going to university, versus TAFE, versus non-accredited, so if there can be some clarity provided through this working group, then I think that'll be beneficial, both to the larger ecosystem and for someone looking to take the first step on their career pathway,” he added.

ENERGY AND PASSION

So where does all his relentless energy and passion come from?

“My dad was a farmer, so I got the work ethic from working on the family farm. My mother was a schoolteacher, and my grandfather was a school principal. This gave me the focus on education.”

“But I also ensure I switch off to re-charge,” he says. “My ancestors were Irish migrants who settled in the 1860s on a farm, near Ararat, Victoria. Recently, I have been fortunate to buy back the farm. I try to get down there and switch off from technology with my family for short periods. I find that very cathartic.”

Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn here