Virginia Simmons

Virginia Simmons was appointed Director and CEO of Chisholm Institute of TAFE in April 2001.  Prior to that she was Deputy Vice-Chancellor (TAFE) at Swinburne University of Technology for 3½ years and Director Kangan Batman Institute of TAFE for 11 years. 

Virginia has been a strong advocate for public sector TAFE throughout her long-standing career in the sector.  In 1995 Virginia received the inaugural Prime Minister's Training Award for her contribution to women in VET.  She serves on a number of economic and education boards, including TAFE Directors Australia (TDA) and the Board of South East Development (SED) Area Consultative Committee.

In 1993, Virginia was contracted by the Asian Pacific Skills Development Program of the International Labour Organisation (APSDEP/ILO) to develop a manual for managers of Vocational Training Centres in the Asian Pacific region.  This led to a range of international consultancies and the publishing of the manual in 1994.

Virginia has also worked for a wide range of other international agencies including AusAID, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank, the South East Asian Ministers of Education organisation (SEAMEO) and IDP Education Australia.  Widely experienced at leading organisations through periods of major change, Virginia has also participated in many international consultancy projects in South Africa, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, India, Brunei Darussalam and China.

Virginia holds a Bachelor of Arts, Diploma of Education, Higher Diploma of the German Language, Graduate Diploma of Educational Administration and is a Fellow of the Australian College of Educators (FACE).  She enjoys aerobics, reading, gardening, theatre, films and activities with family and friends.