At the 2008 National Agrifood Conference, we heard from Patrick McKendry, giving his speech at the conference.

In addition to his role as Chair of TVET Australia, Patrick McKendry is also the Chair of the National Quality Council, having been appointed to the position by the Commonwealth Government in November 2006.

Early this year, Patrick was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Careers Australia Group. Prior to this role, he was the Executive Director of the National Retail Association.
In 2006, the Queensland Government appointed Patrick as a Director of the Workers' Compensation Regulatory Authority (Q-Comp) Board. He also serves as Chairman of the Finance and Audit Committee for this Board.
Patrick has led public policy for the retail industry and has been the industry's national advocate in major policy issues such as labour market reform and employment programs, vocational education and training, labour shortages, trade practice and competition policy.
In November 2006, the Commonwealth Government appointed Patrick as Chair of the National Quality Council (NQC). The NQC brings together industry, employee, government and practitioner representatives to oversee and support the current and future quality of vocational and technical education across Australia. In addition to this role, Patrick is also the Chair of TVET Australia Ltd. The owners of TVET Australia are the State, Territory and Commonwealth Ministers responsible for vocational education and training (VET).