Jill Baird

Qualifications

• Graduate Diploma in Inter-Ethnic studies in Education, (includes ESL qualification)
• Diploma of Education, Monash University, 1973
• Bachelor of Arts Degree, Monash University, 1972
• Master of Education by Project, RMIT University, 2000 (ongoing)
• Other training includes Recognition of Prior Learning, Workplace Assessor Training, Managers Guide to Performance Coaching, Education Victoria Leadership and TEAP (Traineeship Employer Assistance Program) Assessor Training and several modules from the Diploma of Management, currently completing a Masters Degree

Areas of Responsibility

In addition to supporting our students, clients and staff, the position involves leadership in the entrepreneurial areas focusing on government projects.

Government projects: Priorities include: leading and supporting centres in securing government contracts; working in consortium and partnership arrangements with TAFE and other RTOs; effectively overseeing management of large projects and monitoring progress on smaller projects. Jill also supports VETIS; attends various CMM Boards and advisory committees. Jill provides leadership to Centres to ensure appropriate systems and processes are in place, including implementation plans to deliver initiatives and programs, and monitoring the implementation of all government commercial activities.

International Business Development: Jill is involved in International Business Development and Management. A focus is the International Extended Campus Unit (IECU) which provides effective and consistent management of extended campuses and to manage international study tours to support business development and growth.

Country Manager for China: Jill is the country manager for China, a role that involves marketing to China, securing business and managing subsequent contracts. Jill has a lead role in securing franchises and projects for the Institute in targeted markets in China, and providing leadership to Centres to ensure achievement of business development targets.

Professional Background

Jill has extensive experience as a TAFE administrator, as a teacher in Australia and overseas, as a trainer, and in research, development and design of curricula. She has a record of achievement in introducing new initiatives and performance improvements by operating as a line manager, a project manager and as a consultant.

Jill has had 20 years experience in setting up, developing and managing programs and projects. Her primary interest was in developing programs for unemployed people. These labour market programs included JobSkills, Work Dynamics, Pathway Programs, Accredited Training for Youth, Transition Programs, the Participation and Equity program and the Employer Assistance Program.

Later, her main focus and the Institute responsibilities were in the Traineeship and Apprenticeship areas. Box Hill Institute, under Jill's direction was successful in gaining the New Apprenticeship Centre (NAC) role in Melbourne's inner East as well as securing other employment service and government contracts.

Jill is presently the Contract Manager for GRAMETS (Greater Melbourne Employment and Training Services) consortium which is the second largest NEIS (New Enterprise Incentive Scheme) provider of small business training in Australia.

Before joining TAFE Jill worked in Nigeria for three years as head of an English department and worked in secondary schools in Australia. she also worked in the retail and construction industries.