CEO of the Year Awards 2026 | 5 Marcus took on the roles of Non-Executive Director and Interim CEO. He led his team through the acquisition of three RTOs, growing the company to deliver training to more than 6,500 learners in community services across Australia with 200 full-time employees. In these roles, his expertise comprised strategic planning, organisational change, monitoring performance, achieving KPIs, and focusing on the financial drivers and performance of RTOs under his leadership. Marcus’ experience in the VET sector has taught him a number of invaluable transferrable skills, which include entrepreneurial vision, operational scaling, and a focus on quality assurance, now applied in his current role to drive expansion across the board. Today, Marcus is equipped with a wealth of knowledge and insights that he now leverages to position Hader Institute of Education as a leading force in the realm of accessible, affordable online education. Under Marcus’ strong leadership, Hader Institute of Education has seen unprecedented growth in the areas of learner applications, engagement, and the number of courses it offers. The CEO’s firsthand experience has equipped him with a nuanced understanding of the challenges faced by Registered Training Organisations at all levels of operation, and his role in the formation of Selmar Institute of Education has provided a comprehensive knowledge of governance, executive leadership, and the industry. Furthermore, this unwavering commitment to quality and support is reflected in its learners’ feedback. Hader Institute of Education has earned over 1,000 five-star reviews across Google and Trustpilot combined, with ratings consistently at 4.8-4.9 out of 5. This positions it as one of the highest-rated Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) in Australia. Its learners continue to praise the flexible, empathetic, and highly effective learning experience that empowers them to succeed. As a leader, Marcus strives to be collaborative, visionary, and supportive, empowering his teams whilst setting clear direction. His team achieved goals through aligned KPIs, regular check-ins, shared vision workshops, and celebrating milestones. Trust and motivation are embedded in every interaction, with Marcus fostering open communication, recognising contributions, and leading by example in placing an unwavering focus on the learner experience. “We treat learners – our primary ‘clients’ – as partners on their career journey,” he said, “starting with empathetic needs assessment and personalised support. I ensure the team mirrors this through clear values alignment, regular training, feedback loops, and a culture of student-first service. Our trainers and support staff are experienced practitioners who model professionalism, responsiveness, and encouragement.” Continuous refinement and agile adaption lie at the heart of the organisation’s studentcentrism. Under Marcus’ leadership, Hader Institute of Education actively stays ahead of industry developments by monitoring ASQA and NCVER data, industry consultations, and student feedback, whilst also investing in technology to ensure engaging, accessible education. It is this calibre of commitment to the student experience that has earned Marcus and his team the Online Education Excellence Award 2026. Currently, the team has observed several trends shaping the VET and community services sectors, including a rising demand for mental health and youth support; flexible online learning following the pandemic; workforce shortages within care sectors; and a growing interest in criminology, forensics, and complex social issues. These trends are impacting the ways in which learners interact and engage with their education, as well as the fields in which they are seeking to enter. Hader Institute of Education has made significant efforts to meet these demands head-on, introducing a range of new courses and opportunities for its students. This has included expanding the Job-Ready Program to enhance placement guarantees, as well as launching responsive programs on criminal psychology and forensic investigation to meet the growing demand in justice and forensic fields. Through continuous improvement and development, Marcus aspires to establish Hader Institute of Education as the go-to provider of online, self-paced, career-ready training in human services and the emerging field of criminology. 2025 taught Marcus the importance of adaptability, the power of learner-centred innovation, and the value of establishing strong support networks. Now, he looks to the future with renewed ambition. This year, the CEO will work towards this mission by consolidating new criminology courses and enhancing the features of the Job-Ready Program, whilst also growing the institute’s enrolments and deepening industry partnerships. In the longer term, Marcus’ five-year vision will entail leading Hader Institute of Education – or a larger entity – as a transformative force in Australia’s VET sector, with the ultimate aim of influencing policy and broader educational access. Since first entering the VET field, Marcus Sellen has demonstrated a steadfast dedication to ensuring that learners are provided with accessible and affordable education that does not compromise on quality. The CEO has played a pivotal role in establishing Hader Institute of Education as a leader in its field, instrumentally shaping the VET sector for the better. The tireless efforts of Marcus and the entire team at Hader Institute of Education have empowered countless learners to step forward and empower others, creating a thriving community of people who truly want to make a difference. For his steadfast commitment to this cause, demonstrated through more than two decades of dedication to the sector, Marcus Sellen has been rightfully named Australia’s Vocational Training CEO of the Year 2026. We at APAC Insider would like to congratulate Marcus on his significant success and cannot wait to see what is next for this VET visionary. Company: Hader Institute of Education Web Address: www.haderinstitute.edu.au
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