Meet The Team

Chief Executive Officer – Colin Kerr

Colin 36 years in the Employment Services Industry in the federal government and community based organisations.  With a strong commitment to people ingeneral Colin joined Bridging the Gap in 1997 when there were  3 staff. Today BTG has  70 staff and delivers a diversity of services to address the needs of young people at one end of the spectrum through to introduction to computer training for seniors.

Colin has held positions as a Board Director of JOBfutures and served for seven years since 2001. He has chaired the Business Development committee, Contract performance committee and Governance Committee as well as a member of the Finance and Audit committee.

Presently he is a Board Director of South West Corridor Employment Development Foundation,  Koorliny Arts Centre and Outdoors WA.

Email: Colin.Kerr@bridgingthegap.org.au

Accountant – Tracey Davenport CPA ACMA MSc

Tracey relocated to Perth in 2007, and brings with her 10 years experience from the Not For Profit sector in the UK, where she gained a Masters Degree in Charity Accounting and Financial Management.  When she is not looking after the finances of Bridging The Gap, she likes to get out and about in WA.

Email: Tracey.Davenport@bridgingthegap.org.au

Community and Youth Manager – Linda Colley

Immigrating from Zimbabwe in 1998 with my family Linda was fortune enough to gain employment with Bridging the Gap in 2000 after undertaking a Work Experience opportunity, and has now been with the organisation for over 11 years.

Prior to our Immigration Linda was employed by Barclays Bank International, Sun International and Leather Ware House in Victoria Falls. Her prior experience In Africa has given her a unique insight into different cultures, a major plus for an organisation with such a diverse clientele.

Over the last 11 years Linda has attained her Diploma in Employment Services, Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and Career Development. Further to this, she has obtained qualifications in Counselling, and Management techniques.

Linda’s current role as Manager of Youth and Community has further developed her multi-task skill set, most notably in the area of planning and delivery of programmes. She also possess the initiative and drive to get programmes and ideas off the ground.

Email: Linda.Colley@bridgingthegap.org.au

Business Manager – Andy Wahid

Andy is Bridging the Gap’s Head of Youth Development and manages the Crossing Point Leaders Academy (CPLA) programme. Andy has extensive experience in youth development and corporate learning and development. Currently he is designing and delivering youth programmes with Bridging the Gap prior to which he  led  Raleigh’s 10-week youth leadership expeditions across the globe and was responsible for developing partnerships across sectors as Head of Business Development.  Andy is developing CPLA to deliver high impact skills and aspirational development to young participants, with  valuable learning and development opportunities to  employees in a unique multi-faceted package.

Email: Andy.Wahid@bridgingthegap.org.au

Business Manager of Training & Career Development – Haroon Khan

Haroon started his career as a tax officer in the Central Superior Services of Pakistan. His experience includes over 20 years in senior management positions including Additional Commissioner of Income- Tax in the Federal Board of Revenue.

He migrated to Australia in 2003 and worked as independent business consultant advocating Australian model of technical and further education in Pakistan and Kashmir.

Haroon joined Bridging the Gap in Jan 2010 and is the Manager of Training & Career Development and a Senior Human Resources Adviser. He is passionate about bridging the gap between youth and employment through training and career development interventions.

Haroon’s academic qualifications include a Master of Psychology, Master of Human Resources and Industrial relations, Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resources and a Bachelor of Science.  He is a Certified Professional Member of the Australian Human Resources Institute (CAHRI) and an Associate Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management (AFAIM). He is a certified Trainer holding Certificate IV Training and Assessment. His expertise includes Strategic Human Resource Management and Organisational Development.

Email: haroon.khan@bridgingthegap.org.au

Regional Manager – Job Services Australia – Jane McWhirter

Moving to Australia over thirty years ago with her family Jane brought with her thirteen years experience as a Qualified Nurse and on arriving in Australia had several job offers and has never looked back.  “Spending five years working in the Northern Territory was the best experience of my life”, Jane says, learning to adapt to the vast cultural changes not to mention the picturesque  geographic scenes was just amazing.

Almost 14 years working with Bridging The Gap / Job Futures Jane has seen many changes particularly in the growth of the organization.   Having over 20 years experience working with the Not For Profit sector assisting both Employers and unemployed people meet their recruitment needs has been a great challenge with many heartfelt “good news” stories to tell. Managing  four offices from Perth to Rockingham and with over 26 staff Jane is constantly on the road. Jane’s qualifications include a Diploma in Business Management, a Diploma in Employment Services as well as Workplace Trainer & Assessor.

“ Maintaining a Leading JSA service for many years within the Community has seen many challenges but the success stories is  worth
it all” says Jane..

Email: jane.mcwhirter@bridgingthegap.org.au

Vicki Abel is BTG’s Corporate Services Manager and portfolio  includes Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology and Operations.

She has extensive experience in finance for the not for  profit area which includes  5 years bookkeeper and reporting to government agencies in the health industry. During this time she achieved her Advance  Diploma of Accounting.

Vicki joined BTG in 2003 when the organisation had 18  employees and has been delighted to be part of the growth of an outstanding community based organisation.  Attaining her Diploma in Human Resources  Management in 2009 has enabled her to support the team in this growth.

Vicki is passionate about the community and people and  positioning Bridging the Gap as an employer of choice in the South West Corridor of Perth.

Email: vicki.abel@bridgingthegap.org.au