Jacqui McGill – who formerly served as asset president for the copper and uranium mine in South Australia’s north – was appointed to the TAFE SA board last month and announced as chair this morning.

The State Government also today announced three new additions to the board and the retention of a fourth.

Can Do Group chief executive Judith Curran, rural social services executive Dr Jennifer Cleary, construction company Marshall and Brougham managing director Andrew Marshall (no relation to Premier Steven) and long-time TAFE SA board member Joanne Denley have all been appointed to the renewed board.

They join business executive and lawyer Sam Scammell and Craig Fowler, who was recently the managing director of the National Centre for Vocational Education Research.

Education Minister John Gardner said the government had been through an exhaustive recruitment process to improve the fortunes of the troubled educational institution.

TAFE SA was hit by a series of scandals last year under the Weatherill Government, with a random audit by the Australian Skills Quality Authority finding a series of its courses had failed to meet required standards.

Jacqui McGill during her time in charge of Olympic Dam. Photo: AAP/David Mariuz

The then-CEO and chair of the board resigned in the wake of those revelations, with the then-Government ordering an urgent review.

“The new TAFE SA board members are well-equipped with the relevant skills and experience to provide the good governance that is required,” said Gardner.

“Jacqui McGill is a highly respected and accomplished executive with broad strategic and operational experience across a range of sectors, most notably with BHP and across 30 years in the mining and resources sector.

“She will be a great asset to the board in her new role as chair.”

Gardner thanked the interim TAFE SA board, appointed in the wake of the scandals, whose “good stewardship is reflected in the improvements already made in the TAFE organisation this year”.

He said several members of the interim board would be “supporting” the new board until their terms expire on December 31.

“And at that time the Government will reassess the skill sets and expertise of the board and give consideration as to whether further appointees will benefit the organisation,” he added.