Tesserent has appointed Mr Andrew Shea as Managing Partner of the Tesserent Academy.
After more than 20 years with significant achievements at other vocational education providers, Andrew has made a rare pivot to bring his expertise in training to tackle the challenge of attracting and upskilling cybersecurity talent the nation desperately needs.
Australia’s cybersecurity labour shortage is estimated to reach more than 30,000 workers by 2026. This shortfall must be filled to meet the rising challenge of keeping our nation safe from cyber-attacks.
Tesserent Academy was launched in April 2021 to address cybersecurity industry skills shortages. Mr Kurt Hansen, CEO, Tesserent, says “I am delighted that Andrew Shea has been appointed to the helm of Tesserent Academy. He will be pivotal in turbocharging the acceleration of Tesserent Academy’s recent acquisition of ALC Training, which has a 25+ year history and over 40,000 graduates. Tesserent Academy will tackle the industry wide problem of talent shortages, to improve the cyber ecosystem and to develop talent for both Tesserent and our customers.”
Andrew has been recognised twice as CEO of the Year at the Executive Awards and was recognised with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2023 Australasian Learner Impact Awards. Andrew is one of the leading voices in Australia’s vocational education sector and is a Board member with the Independent Tertiary Education Council of Australia.
Andrew has worked in several executive level roles across a range of tertiary education providers over the last 20 years including being CEO of two registered training organisations and head of internal learning and capability development at ASX-listed Simonds Group.
The divisions Andrew led had such a significant impact on profitability that in late 2021 it became a stand-alone entity acquired by Pacific Equity Partners.
Andrew was also formerly the CEO of one of Australia’s largest training providers that specialised in the delivery of qualifications for the security sector including physical security, private and government investigation, airport security including counter-terrorism, and electronic security systems.
Commenting on his appointment, Andrew says, “The ability to provide training and access to some of the nation’s brightest and best minds in cybersecurity will set apart the hands-on training that Tesserent Academy can provide and ensure our graduates are ready for the real world with knowledge of the best methods to thwart cybercrime.
“My focus is to demonstrate what the top of the mountain looks like for aspiring individuals. We will deliver training throughout the whole lifecycle, from graduates leaving high school seeking their start in cybersecurity, to mature age students looking to undertake a career pivot into a burgeoning area, as well as upskilling internal talent within Tesserent, its partners and clients. I believe there is significant opportunity for growth and uplift in student engagement throughout the financial year 2024 and beyond,” Andrew enthuses.
Andrew has a strong track record of improving diversity in traditionally male-dominated industries and will turbocharge the attraction of diverse and female talent to cybersecurity as he has achieved with doubling female participation in building trades at his previous business, Builders Academy.
Andrew is currently an advisory board member with Kowanj Australasia which supports African migrants through education and employment programs and Top 100 Women which works to increase female participation in trades.
“I am excited to be spearheading Tesserent’s activity to uplift cybersecurity skills training and to encourage more females and people from a range of diverse backgrounds and across all age levels to pursue careers in cybersecurity. Tesserent has an incredible depth of cyber expertise, and Tesserent Academy leverages that capability through designing and delivering innovative cybersecurity, project management and leadership training programs and pathways with leading industry experts,” Andrew says.
Tesserent Academy is partnering with software solution providers, employers, and other tertiary education and training providers to:
- Develop and deliver programs that are relevant from the boardroom to basement, ensuring all parts of an organisation have access to leading-edge security, project management and leadership training;
- Provide opportunities for Tesserent team members to improve their skills and certifications to accelerate their careers and build additional capability within the group; and
- Enable our customers across industry and government to have access to leading trainers and thought leaders in the industry to improve their own cyber and risk mitigation knowledge.
Tesserent Academy will also work with both state and federal governments to provide optimal training, pathway and employment opportunities.
In addition, Tesserent Academy will engage with the high school sector to increase overall engagement and uptake of cybersecurity careers with the next generation of talent.
