WHO WE ARE?
ABS Institute of Management is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO ID: 51804) that helps people to achieve their personal and professional goals by offering a range of programs that assist in building knowledge and skills to make it happen.
To do this we:
- Provide specialist Self Employment Assistance programs for people seeking to start their own business and be their own boss
- Help business owners and managers improve productivity and build better businesses through training, development, and coaching
- Offer training programs that improve career prospects
- Assist with personal and professional development to maintain worthwhile employment
Our Values are underpinned by the principles that embrace: Attitude, Belief, Success
QUALITY ASSURANCE
ABS Institute of Management operates under the Standards for RTO’s 2015 as a Registered Training Organisation. The following principles underpin our Quality Management Policy:
- Alignment and compliance with the requirements of ISO9001:2015 & ISO 27001:2022
- Annual attestation of compliance to ISO9001:2015 & ISO 27001:2022
- Compliance to Standards for RTO’s 2015 confirmed by annual declaration and supported by internal audit and performance appraisals.
- Member of the Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (Membership ID:218589)
Our Vision
Developing people and businesses on their journey to success
Mission Statement
Our mission is to offer programs that help people develop their knowledge and skills to grow and achieve successful, rewarding, and prosperous employment.
To do this we provide a dedicated business centre that focuses on our client’s personal goals and aspirations by delivering Self Employment Assistance and Training Programs that help individuals start their own businesses and build the skills needed to succeed in the workplace.
Values
Learn, Teach Grow
Show integrity
Own it
Consider others
Be involved
Pursue excellence
Inspire Smiles
Meet The Team - Management & Key Personnel - Expertise and Experience
Mark Van Lith
Managing Director – Business Services
Certificate MBA (spec. in Small Business & Operations Management), Graduate Certificate in Business Administration, Certificate in Marketing Management, Sales Management & Executive Management Development, TAE40110 Certificate IV in Training & Assessment, FNS50204 Diploma of Accounting.
Background:
For over 15 years Mark Van Lith has been in the role of State Manager with various corporations involved in manufacturing, wholesaling importing/exporting & business services. During this time, he maintained responsibility for Business Development, Sales, Marketing and Operations Management. These are core functions of a business that determine the financial success and ongoing viability of any business.
His career started in the retail FMCG industry and continued with the start-up and development of a family small business enterprise in manufacturing as a wholesaler. This provided relevant experience and understanding of the processes and issues involved in building your own business. Added to this Mark completed 6 years with AC Nielsen in market research and with its parent company Dun & Bradstreet covering financial and credit management.
Debbie Van Lith
Director
Background:
Debbie has worked in employment services for the past 10 years with additional experience gained before this in various management roles within the retail and hospitality industries. She has worked as a Marketing Consultant & Job Coach with PAGES (Providers of Australian Government Employment Services) specifically helping people with disabilities and those who are Highly Disadvantaged to find worthwhile employment.
Luke Van Lith
Operations Manager
BSB50207 Diploma of Business, BSB40401 Certificate IV in Business (Small Business Management), BSB40610 Certificate IV in Business Sales, TAE40110 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, FNS40217 Certificate IV in Accounting & Bookkeeping
Background:
Luke started out in logistics where he worked for a prominent West Australian mining company. During his time there he coordinated sea freight shipments between Australia, Africa and Asia. For the past 17 years, Luke has managed the operations of the Self-Employment Assistance program (formally NEIS) and has overseen the commencement of thousands of businesses. During this time, he has built an extensive knowledge of the program and a keen understanding of what makes a successful business.
Luke is currently on the board of directors for the National Self-Employment Association (NSEA) where he represents Self-Employment Assistance providers from around Australia
Joanne Van Lith
Business mentor & facilitator
FNS50204 Diploma of Accounting, TAE40116 Certificate IV in Training & Assessment
Background:
Joanne began working with the founding members of ABS Institute, Mark Van Lith and Luke Van Lith, in 2008. Having come from a customer service background in the mortgage insurance industry, Joanne quickly developed her career by managing a customer service team for a home loan company. Fast forward to now, and Joanne has been with ABS Institute for 14 years in multiple roles across the business. Most recently, for five years, managing all Traineeships from the beginning of the training process to the end. Joanne has built strong connections across different industries. Her passion lies in finding positive outcomes in training and education for employers and trainees in business.
Sandra Hilleard
Curriculum developer & facilitator
TAE40110 Certificate IV in Training & Assessment, CHC51712, Diploma of Counselling, PRS30303 Certificate III in Investigative Services
Background:
Sandra has a wealth of experience working for herself where she was the owner of a full-service Marketing & Design Bureau. Her services included design and maintenance of websites and publications, including copywriting, marketing strategy, photography and artwork creation.
Sandra has worked with a range of training providers as a vocational trainer including creating all training material for nationally recognised training and corporate training, researching topics, and consulting with industry experts and industry bodies.
Pippa Spibey
Business mentor & facilitator
Diploma of Junior Primary Education, Post Grad Diploma of Special Education, Post Grad Diploma of Counselling, Certificate of Attainment from ACA as Approved Clinical Supervisor, Certified Art Therapist, BSB40407 Certificate IV in Small Business Management, TAE40116 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, Certificate of Attainment from Public Speakers institute.
Background:
Pippa Spibey immigrated to Australia in 1995 having previously lived in South Africa and Botswana. Since arriving in Australia, she has gone from part-time teacher, stay-at-home mum and housewife to a multiple award-winning business owner, including winning the Karl Farrell Inspiration award for the most promising business of 2013 and also being named one of the NIFNEX top 100 most influential small business owners in Western Australia 2014. Pippa is primarily a Counsellor and a Coach registered with the Australian Counselling Association (ACA). She is also a registered Professional Counselling Supervisor registered with the ACA.
Pippa has been employed in diverse settings, working intensively in Counselling, Career and Life Coaching and as a Disability Employment Consultant. She has extensive experience working and supporting children and adults with disabilities and people struggling with long-term unemployment. She is an expert in the field of resilience and loves helping her clients develop inner strength, an understanding of how to cope with life issues and how to survive and recover from mental illness and abuse. Her interest in resilience developed during her years as a Junior Primary Special Education teacher and as a Support Teacher and Art Specialist working in a Language Development Centre
Tracy Ireland
Business mentor & facilitator
TAE40110 Certificate IV in Training & Assessment, SIR30212 Certificate III in Retail Operations
Background:
Tracy is a professional trainer with a strong work history in lecturing, coaching and delivery development. She has a genuine passion to be in service to the community, helping people move toward a positive future. Tracy believes in adding value, upholding integrity and leading by example.
In the past, Tracy has worked as an educator at the Central Institute of Technology before moving into employability skills training with Stirling skills. She worked supporting unemployed youth to develop critical work readiness and employability skills.
Alison Bannister
Business mentor & facilitator
TAE40116 Certificate IV in Training & Assessment, CHC41215 Certificate IV in Career Development
Background:
Aly is a seasoned professional with over 30 years of experience in the career development industry. Her passion lies in helping individuals unlock their full potential and transform into the best versions of themselves. With a rich background in talent advice, recruitment management, human resources, disability employment, and business development, Aly offers invaluable guidance to her clients. She provides clear direction, boosts confidence, and helps clients achieve a heightened sense of purpose and clarity in their future aspirations. Whether you’re seeking to start or build your business, Aly’s expertise will support you every step of the way.
Stephanie Forrest
Business mentor & facilitator
Master of Business Administration; Double Major Marketing and Management of Information; Bachelor of Arts French and Japanese Studies, University of Western Australia
Background:
Stephanie is a seasoned marketing professional (Fellow Australian Marketing Institute) with over 25 years of experience in marketing management, industry marketing and marketing operations. She has worked as a senior marketing manager for IBM Australia and IBM Asia Pacific Distribution Sector. Stephanie has also worked as Marketing Director for a digital analytics firm in Sydney before going out on her own as a marketing consultant and strategist. Now in her hometown of Perth she derives great satisfaction from mentoring and training small businesses in business and marketing strategy for success. She has a special interest in multi-cultural training and marketing.
Stephanie is a yoga teacher, yoga and marketing help her to keep her body and mind flexible.
Jennifer Chung
Business mentor & facilitator
Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting), Curtin University Perth
Background:
Jennifer Chung is an accomplished business and finance professional with over 25 years of experience across corporate banking, credit risk, and business training in Malaysia and Australia. After graduating from Curtin University in Perth, she began her career with Deloitte Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur as an audit assistant. She progressed to a senior analyst role at RAM Ratings and later became Vice President at Citibank, where she developed deep expertise in financial risk assessment and corporate finance. After Citibank, Jennifer returned to RAM Ratings as a freelance trainer and consultant, designing and delivering specialist programs in corporate credit analysis and risk management for top financial institutions.
Back in Perth since 2013, Jennifer established Forte School of Music Applecross, where she successfully grew the student base to nearly 500 and fostered a positive, values-driven environment. Now, she finds it highly rewarding to mentor and train small businesses, drawing on her finance background, corporate experience, and practical business insights to support their growth and success.
