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Meet the Team

Smart Apprenticeship Solution - Our Team

Board of Directors

The Board of Smart Apprenticeship Solutions meets quarterly and is kept up to date monthly by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) by way of email.  The role of the Board as a collective is to direct the CEO and set the parameters in which to run the company. 

Stephen Craven

CEO, Managing Director

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is responsible for SAS’s overall daily operations and for finding ways by which the company can become more productive in the long-term. The CEO reports regularly to the Board of Directors, attends all Board Meeting and liaises with the CFO, Employment Officers and the Finance & Administration Team.

Paul Miles

Director

Paul Miles, Managing Director of The BUSY Group, has been with BUSY since January 2007, initially as Deputy CEO and then appointed as CEO in July 2012, and then Managing Director. Paul has a degree in Law from Cardiff University, Wales, however retrained as an accountant within the energy industry and is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). Between leaving the energy industry and joining BUSY, Paul worked in the financial services sector for major banking and insurance organisations in Australia and the UK.

Margaret-Ann Goy

Chief Executive Officer - BUSY Skills

Margaret-Ann is deeply committed to ensuring that all people have equal access to quality education, training and employment opportunities. With a background in education and retail franchising, she prioritises customer-centred learning and engagement. A commercially savvy executive with over 20 years of experience, Margaret-Ann excels in managing teams and fostering a blend of commercial success, customer satisfaction, and stakeholder relationships. Her strength lies in swiftly grasping business strategies and driving impactful change. She promotes individual accountability while leading with clear communication and effective project management. Margaret-Ann holds a Bachelor in Commerce (Human Resources and Marketing), is a Certified Advisory Board Chair, and is a member of the Aged Care Advisory Group.

Leonie Carlile

Group - Chief Executive Officer - The BUSY Group

Leonie brings to the team a background of senior management experience in both Human Resources and broader Business Management. Commencing her career as an Officer in the Australian Army, Leonie has worked across a range of sectors, including Manufacturing, Government, Resources and Community Services. Leonie holds a BA (Economics & Politics), MBA (Human Resources) and Post Graduate qualifications in Accounting.

Meet our Teams

Ormeau

Beaudesert

Cairns

Ballina - Lismore

Ormeau

Tracy Craven

National Operations Manager

Tracy Craven

Tracy has been a part of the team since 2008 and is the National Operations Manager at Smart Apprenticeship Solutions, heading up our operations and ensuring everything runs efficiently.

“To have the ability of giving people the opportunity to start their career in the trades and change their lives gives me so much satisfaction.  Employing and mentoring a 1st year apprentice over 4 years, watching them grow and develop new skills through to their completion is why I do what I do.  I am proud to be a part of the Smart Apprenticeship Solutions team and skilling Queensland’s future.”

Mick Nielsen

Employment Officer

Mick Nielsen

Mick Nielsen has years of experience in the Group Training industry and brought his smarts to Smart Apprenticeship Solutions upon joining the team in 2020.

A qualified Carpenter by trade with over 30 years’ experience, Mick enjoyed his previous days on the tools building peoples dream homes. He also trained a lot of apprentices over the 30 years in the construction industry.

“I really enjoy helping people of all ages become apprentices, being able to help guide them through their chosen vocation that they are so passionate about. I also get great satisfaction from seeing the change in the person that walks in the door, to the one that walks out a tradesperson.”

Anne Smith

Admin Officer

Anne Smith

Anne joined the team at Smart Apprenticeship Solutions in 2020, bringing her extensive experience to the organisation after working in the Group Training industry for over 17 years.

Her current role is working all areas within Administration, which is a big change from her previous roles but Anne believes that “you are never too old to learn new processes.”

“ I’m really happy working with the Smart team as it is a friendly family type of environment and I look forward to the new challenges that come my way every day.”

Natasha Bush

Senior Finance & Admin Officer

Natasha Bush

Tash commenced with Smart Apprenticeship Solutions in 2007 joining the Client Consultant team in her first ever administration role, eventually cross training with the Finance & Payroll team to become a Finance & Administration Officer.

Having completed a dual Diploma of Business & Diploma of Management, Natasha has recently been promoted to Senior Finance & Admin Officer.

Di Richardson

Payroll and Finance Officer

Di Richardson

Hi I’m Dione but you can call me Di. I joined the team in July 2023 and bring with me over ten years’ experience in Admin, Finance and Payroll and a Certificate 4 in Accounting. As you may have guessed I am part of the team ensuring our Apprentices and Trainees are promptly and correctly paid each week during their time with SAS.

When I’m not at work, my other loves of my family, hubby and cheeky corgi keep me busy and for something completely different I dabble in podcasting. Being full-time with SAS I look forward to helping with any payroll questions our apprentices and trainees may have, just call and ask for Di.
  • payroll@sasat.com.au

    • Jaime Kirkham

    National Business Support Manager

    Jaime Kirkham

    Jaime commenced with Smart Apprenticeship Solutions in late 2021 as a Finance and Administration Officer.

    She moved to Australia 7 years ago from New Zealand with her husband and two young children.

    She has an extensive administration and management background and has completed a Level 4 Certificate in Front Line Management and Small Business Management as well as a Diploma in Travel & Tourism.

    Jaime enjoys learning about the Group Training Industry and watching the apprentice’s develop and grow. She has recently been promoted to Office Manager a role where she hopes to provide reliable support for operations and nurture a positive, inclusive work environment.

    Beaudesert

    Debbie Richardson

    Compliance Manager and assistant to the CEO

    Debbie Richardson

    My name is Debbie and I’m so pleased to be working with young people who have chosen to better themselves through learning. My experience in Registered Training Organisations beginning as a trainer and then advancing into Operations Management was always focussed on how best to provide our students a platform for success.

    Now with SAS I once again am in a position to help expand our service to our apprentices and host employers strengthening our core foundations of compliance and customer service. As always I am here to serve and happy to help

    Michelle Regan

    Administration Officer and Receptionist

    Michelle Regan

    Hello I’m Michelle and when you call our national office number it’s most likely me that will answer your call. They call me a jack-of-all-trades because I have worn the title of lady-tradie, realtor, hairdresser, plumber and even Chicken Farmer.

    I completed my first apprenticeship at 29 with all of my careers having on-the-job learning at its heart. As an administration officer at SAS I enjoy being a part of the team providing important ‘house-keeping’ services and ensuring that our host employers, apprentices and trainees are provided quality customer service and care.

    Kim Bush

    Administration Officer

    Kim Bush

    Commencing with SAS in 2017 Kim has held both positions of Administration Officer and Care Officer. Currently working with the administration team, Kim knows first-hand the importance of supporting SAS’s apprentices and host employers through to graduation.

    Starting her career as a School-Based Business Administration Trainee in 2011, Kim graduated with her Certificate II and III with SAS and was then employed full time as an Admin & Finance Officer and later a Care Officer.

    “I look forward to providing quality, timely customer service to our apprentices and host employers every day”.

    Joel Howard

    Employment Officer

    Joel Howard

    My name is Joel and I commenced as an Employment Officer in the Smart Apprenticeship Solutions team in April 2023.

    As a boilermaker by trade and working within the industry for quite some time, I can really relate to both our Host Employers and Apprentices. Completing an apprenticeship boosted my career, providing me with opportunities that I couldn’t anticipate.

    Now every day I get to build relationships with my apprentices and hosts supporting them to achieve their career and business goals.  It’s what makes my job worthwhile.

    Lauren Howard

    Payroll & Administration Officer

    Lauren Howard

    Hey there! I’m Lauren and I initially commenced my role with SAS in 2021, as a Care Officer. This involved site visits with apprentices, trainees and hosts. This role was handed over to Tia in June 2023 as I went off on maternity leave. However, I’m back in 2024 in a new role as your Payroll and Admin officer.

    In my part-time role I now look after another important aspect of our apprentice’s employment – their weekly pays. I look forward to reconnecting with our apprentices and hosts and helping them with their pay/invoicing and time sheet queries.

    Tia Butler

    Care Officer

    Tia Butler

    Hello I’m Tia and SAS’s SEQ Care Officer. My role is to support apprentices throughout their apprenticeship by visiting them onsite and providing them with support and guidance through to their graduation. Previously I was in hotel management in New Zealand however I was born in Brisbane and have spent a lot of my time travelling overseas.

    Having a Diploma in Business, a Cert III in Hospitality and other vocational qualifications, I have experienced first-hand the employability benefit that formal vocational training alongside practical work experience yields. It can literally take you around the world.

    Madison Butler

    Administration Officer

    Madison Butler

    Hi! My name is Madison and I'm so glad to be a part of the administration team. My previous career with Virgin Australia provided me with a wealth of knowledge and experience in customer service. My most recent role in an international 5-star hotel further developed my skills and desire to provide a memorable and positive customer experience.

    I love working with people and I take great pride in getting the job done. I look forward to assisting our apprentice’s with all of their administration needs and watching them become successful tradespeople.

    Lazeryth Sua

    Employment Officer

    Lazeryth Sua

    My name is Lazeryth but many know me as Laz and I am an Employment Officer in the SAS team.

    Footy by heart but jack-of-all-trades by nature and playing footy on a representative scale, I have a strong work ethic which I have carried into the construction industry. 

    Having worked in landscaping, concreting (domestic & civil), jack hammer operating, form-working and electrical, my experience and industry knowledge is a great foundation for my current role and will position me to build strong relationships with our apprentices and host employers. My reward is seeing our apprentices work hard and transition into being successful qualified tradies.

    Cairns

    Deb Hoad

    Employment Officer

    Deb Hoad

    I joined SAS in 2023 after having spent the last ten years working in Darwin for a university, in the VET Trades. Prior to that I worked at two separate GTO's over a 12.5 year period in regional areas of South Australia and Townsville. As someone who engaged in training to further my career achieving two Diplomas, plus three Cert IV's, I personally can testify to the financial and employment benefits learning and training helps you access.

    Assisting people through gaining their skills and knowledge and achieving a career that they are proud of is extremely rewarding.

    Chloe Anderson

    Payroll & Administration Officer

    Chloe Anderson

    My name is Chloe and I have been with Smart Apprenticeship Solutions since the merger in July 2023. I come from a background of Management, with Recruitment Consultancy, Business Development, and Payroll and Finance experience.

    I have worked in both Registered Training Organisations, and Group Training Organisations in a dual role with Skill360 before the merge. When I’m not working, I enjoy reading, camping and motorbike riding. I enjoy working as part of a team and love meeting new people. I am always happy to assist and help with anything needed. 😊

    Jodie Barrett

    Employment Officer

    Jodie Barrett

    As one of our longest serving staff, Jodie is the bright happy face that all of our apprentices and trainees in Cairns connect with throughout their time with SAS.

    As an Employment Officer, Jodie recruits our new apprentices, places them with a great host employer and then liaises with both the host and the apprentice throughout their apprenticeship, ensuring our apprentice has the care and support needed at all times.

    Ballina - Lismore

    Samantha Birmingham

    Employment Officer

    Samantha Birmingham

    Sam joined our Northern NSW team late 2023 as an Employment Officer based in Ballina. Growing up in the Northern Rivers & returning 10 years ago, Sam and her family are proud to call the Northern Rivers region home.

    Experienced in Community Services, Employment Services incl. Transition to Work, Sam is passionate about employment & training & the far reaching positive impact it can have on individuals, family & community.

    “Seeing our apprentices accomplish their goals & build on their future inspires me every day motivating me to do all I can to support them through to completion”.

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    Locations

    Queensland:
    Unit 27/28 Burnside Road,
    Ormeau, QLD 4208

    113 Brisbane Street.
    Beaudesert, QLD 4285

    99 Sheridan St, 
    Cairns, QLD 4870

    New South Wales:
    1/191-199 River Street,
    Ballina, NSW 2478

    232 Molesworth Street,
    Lismore, NSW 2408

    Contact Us

    admin@sasat.com.au
    13 30 24

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    Smart Apprenticeship Solutions is a not-for-profit, registered charity that provides Apprenticeships & Traineeships with a focus on youth.

    We recruit and place the apprentice with a host employer to train under. We look after the apprentice’s wellbeing, ensure they are safe and have PPE, pay them, sort the WorkCover & superannuation, and coordinate their college and training.

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