Dr. Deborah Machard has 34 years of experience in the Education, Training, and Development sector. Her expertise includes Executive Strategic Business Management, Project Management, Quality Assurance, Monitoring and Evaluation and Research. For over 25 years, she has been actively involved in the PSET Learning and Skills Development sector. Currently, she holds the position of Executive Strategic Planning, Performance and Evaluation at the Wholesale and Retail (W&R SETA). She was pivotal in establishing the first Sector Education and Training Authority within the Education, Training, and Development sector and was the first Chief Executive Officer (ETDPSETA). She contributed and played a key role as a task team member with GTZ and the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), in establishing the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO).
Dr Machard has also gained international experience as the Director for Southern Africa at IDP Education Australia and has worked with various Development Agencies such as USAID, DANIDA, GTZ, and the ILO. In 2022, she completed her PhD in Environmental Management from UNISA, adding to her academic accomplishments, which include a double Master's degree: an M.Sc. in Environmental Management from the University of Johannesburg (UJ), and an M.Ed. in Adult Education and Training. She also holds a BA (Hons) in Geography (Political and Urban Development) and a BA. Ed. in Secondary Education (Majoring in Pedagogics, Geography, and History) from Nelson Mandela University (NMU).