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Tesserent appoints Andrew Shea managing partner of Tesserent Academy
Australia and New Zealand’s largest listed cybersecurity company announces appointment of Andrew Shea as Managing Partner of Tesserent Academy.
After more than 20 years in other vocational education providers, Andrew Shea has pivoted to bring his expertise in training to tackle the challenge of attracting and upskilling cybersecurity talent. Australia’s cybersecurity labour shortage is estimated to reach more than 30,000 workers by 2026.
Tesserent Academy was launched in April 2021 to address cybersecurity industry skills shortages.
“I am delighted that Andrew Shea has been appointed to the helm of Tesserent Academy,” said Tesserent CEO Kurt Hansen. “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,” he said.
Twice recognised as CEO of the Year at the Executive Awards and landing a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2023 Australasian Learner Impact Awards, Shea is one of the leading voices in Australia’s vocational education sector.
Shea 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.
He 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.
“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,” said Shea.
“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,” he said.
“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”.
