Role: ACT State Coordinator

Brief description of our organisation: CREATE Foundation is a not-for-profit peak body for children and young people in out-of-home care and aims to connect and empower children and young people in care and improve the care system through activities, programs, training and policy advice.

We are a progressive organisation, truly passionate about the work we do and the difference we can make to the lives of young people in care. Our programs are innovative, our activities are fun and meaningful, and the organisation values our individual contributions to team achievements.

Brief description of the role: We currently have a vacancy for an experienced, organised and energetic professional to coordinate all aspects of our Canberra office. The State Coordinator is a pivotal role for our ACT presence that provides the opportunity to advocate for systemic change and truly make a difference in the lives of children and young people in care.

As the position is highly diverse, the successful applicant will need to have a can-do attitude as well as an ability to be successful in planning and managing strategic activities/events. You will bring strong communication, advocacy, leadership and budget management skills, as well as the ability to work closely with children and young people and key stakeholders within the Out of Home Care sector.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing State Service Agreements and reporting requirements
• Managing state budget
• Develop and implement the annual strategic action plan for the state
• Advocate (state and national level) for rights and well-being of children and young people in care.
• Manage, supervise and monitor staff

Salary Package: $70 and $75K + super (depending on level of experience) access to generous Salary Sacrifice opportunities, additional paid leave, and training and development opportunities

CREATE Website: http://www.create.org.au/jobs-at-create

How to apply: To apply please send your CV and covering letter to hr@create.org.au .

Closing Date: Applications close 9am Monday 6 February 2012

What training is available?
There are a range of available training opportunities* CIT is offering in 2012 FREE OF CHARGE to eligible individuals. Funding is available under the ACT Government’s Productivity Places Program to specific programs which relate to occupations that are currently in demand in the ACT – which means employment opportunities are plentiful to people with the right skills.

Training Program
Certificate II in Business (30 places available)
Certificate III in Accounts Administration (15 places available)
Certificate III in Beauty Services (16 places available)
Certificate II in Hairdressing (18 places available)
Certificate III in Aged Care (30 places available)
Certificate III in Disability (20 places available)
Certificate II in Information Technology (20 places available)
Certificate III in Information Technology (20 places available)
Certificate IV in IT (Networking) (15 places available)
Certificate IV in IT (Websites) (15 places available)
Certificate IV in IT (General) (15 places available)
* subject to Government funding approval.

Note: This information is current as at 14 December 2011. Please note that due to limited places, some of these places may have filled.
Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is determined by an individual being:

• an Australian citizen, permanent resident of Australia or a person who is in Australia on a humanitarian refugee visa.
• living in the ACT.
• not currently studying.
• not currently working or if < 25 years working less than 15 hours in the last fortnight.

How much does training cost?
The cost of training is shared between the Federal and State Governments. This means eligible individuals can complete specific training programs for free. Additional costs may be incurred by individuals such as materials, uniforms or prescribed equipment.
When can I start and finish my training?

Training can start as soon as CIT can determine an individual’s eligibility and the training program is currently being offered by CIT. Individuals must start before 29 June 2012 and complete studying by 30 May 2014.

Interested or want more information?
Register now to attend our information session on 14 February 2012 and hear about available courses, eligibility, and career opportunities at cit.edu.au/ppptrainforfree.

This information is current as at 14 December 2011. Due to limited places, some of these places may have filled.

Productivity Places Program (PPP) is a joint initiative of the Commonwealth and Territory Governments.

As of today our Physiotherapy students are back and they need you! They provide concession rate, supervised services to community members suffering  joint, back and neck problems.

Our Dietetics and Nutrition and Psychology students now take bookings for treatment and counseling with their clinics commencing next week.

If you are a student or concession card holder the charge is $20.00. Non-concession card holders will be charged $30.00.

We need you, as supervised assessments and treatments are a mandatory part of becoming our future allied health workforce.

To make a booking please phone: 6201 5843

On 1 January 2012 the following changes occurred:

Family Tax Benefit Part A is the main payment for full-time secondary students aged 16 to 17 years. These students will be able to apply for Youth Allowance from their 18th birthday.

Youth Allowance is still available at age 16 (or 15 in certain circumstances) for full-time secondary students who are independent or who need to live away from home to study.

The age of independence for people claiming Youth Allowance and ABSTUDY was lowered to 22 years of age.

Changes to independence for students from Inner Regional Australia

Students from areas classified as Inner Regional Australia are able to access the self-supporting independence conditions that, in 2011, applied only to students from Outer Regional Australia, Remote Australia and Very Remote Australia areas.

Changes to the Relocation Scholarship

Higher education students from areas classified as Regional Australia or Remote Australia are able to receive a higher amount of the Relocation Scholarship in the second and third years that they need to live away from home to study.

Changes to the Student Start-up Scholarship

The amount of the Student Start-up Scholarship was adjusted to $1025 per half yearly instalment (a total of $2050 in 2012).

From 1 July 2012 the following changes apply:

Student Personal Income Test

The amount a Youth Allowance, ABSTUDY or Austudy student or Australian Apprentice can earn each fortnight without reducing their payment will increase from $236 to $400.

The student income bank limit will also increase from $6,000 to $10,000.

For more information…Changes to Youth Allowance, Austudy and ABSTUDY

“I write to you with news of the Government’s decision in relation to the collaboration with UC and to wish each and everyone of you all the compliments of the season.

For CIT, 2012 will be a year of business as usual as the mechanisms and validation for creating UCIT are determined. “

So, CITSA will continue to provide the services you expect from us. Hope 2012 is a great year for all students. Best wishes.

Over the past few days many of you have asked if the ACT Government have advised us of a decision following the Bradley Review into collaboration between CIT and the UC. I would like to inform you that we have not been informed of a decision to date.

As part of the consultation process we submitted a paper that outlined two options for consideration.  The first was a potential model of a merged institution and the second option was a standalone one. This was shared with staff through a series of forums in October. Since that time we were asked by the steering group to consider a third model which involved increased collaboration with UC but with each institution retaining its distinct mission and brand. We submitted our model for this third way in early November.

We understand that the ACT Government is still in the process of considering these options. Please be assured that I will communicate with staff as soon as I have been informed of their decision.

Adrian Marron
Chief Executive

White Ribbon Day is the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. It is the largest effort by men across the world, working in partnership with women, to end men’s violence against women.

The White Ribbon campaign aims to end violence against women and girls through public education and culture change. The campaign calls for men and boys across Australia to speak out and take an oath swearing never to commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women.

As Director-General of the Community Services Directorate, I am proud that I am a White Ribbon Ambassador and I encourage all men in the ACT Public Service to take the pledge and stand up against this issue in our community.

The campaign culminates on White Ribbon Day (25 November) each year, when men and women across Australia are called to wear a white ribbon or wristband as a visual symbol of their commitment.

White Ribbons are available on the Ground Floor, 11 Moore Street, Canberra.

Submission to the ACT Government Steering Committee in reply to ‘A Report to the ACT Government by Emeritus Professor Denise Bradley, AC’

Submitted by:
Elaine Walls, Student Service Co-ordinator
Michael Axelsen, Finance Co-ordinator

On behalf of Canberra Institute of Technology Student Association Incorporated
Dated: Friday 23 September, 2011

Introduction

The Canberra Institute of Technology Student Association (CITSA) would like to reinforce the success of CIT to operate in a demand-driven contestable market while under the strong restrictions of Government.  Professor Bradley, in her report on Options for Future UC/CIT Collaborations, has acknowledged CIT’s exceptional ability to adapt to changing market influences.  The reduction in local and federal VET funding, the competition of RTOs, a progressively changing VET national agenda, the aggressive marketing of UC and the recent UC Polytechnic in 2012 are all factors that influence CIT operations.  It is also no surprise that Prof Bradley, as the architect of the Bradley Report, is acutely aware of the effects on UC in 2012 of a demand-driven, fully contestable HE sector.

At the same time, CIT’s competitiveness in the ACT market has been restrained by many factors, not least, the strictures of Government, including the right to own and dispose of assets.  Additionally, when UC lowers its entrance requirements, CIT enrolment numbers fluctuate accordingly. It is also no secret that UC’s very aggressive enrolment marketing this year has impacted on CIT. Bradley’s reference to ‘flat lined enrolments’ at CIT can be attributed to several factors, one of which is CIT’s self-imposed restriction to offer within the funding profile, not a decline in student demand.

In areas where there may appear to be market competition, CIT has consulted with the relevant institution. The degrees in Fashion, Games and Simulations, Photography and Forensics are in industry and/or commercially focussed niche markets. The Business Degree, negotiated with Charles Sturt has articulation arrangements that are advantageous to CIT students in contrast to the arrangements with UC. CIT and ANU have collaborated in offering an Associate Degree in Engineering which is a specialised course not offered by UC.

The value of CIT’s contribution to the ACT workforce cannot be underestimated and is evident in the high proportion of part time enrolments. The ACT Government is fully aware of the considerable contribution CIT makes to the skilling and up-skilling of the ACT workforce.  Any change in the delivery of VET education in the ACT would have to take into account the contribution CIT makes to the current skill shortages in the region.

CIT, and all TAFEs for that matter, fulfil a ‘community service obligation’. This includes the contribution each TAFE, in particular, CIT makes to the education and training of:

• people in the community with disabilities
• peoples whose first language is not English
• refugees and recently arrived migrants
• people who need to access literacy and learning programs
• people who need to take the first step back into education
• disaffected youth
• Indigenous Australians
• Secondary students

It is critical that the ACT Government does not undervalue the strength and benefits of community service obligations to Canberra and surrounding region. At a recent breakfast Professor Parker, when asked about some of these obligations, said words to the effect “of course we’ll do all that”. We are not convinced that the HE Sector fully understands the implications and commitments of the TAFE sector to respond to community needs.

The CIT brand in the Canberra community is very strong and there has been a concerted effort to ensure it reaches every sector in the ACT[1].  CIT’s influence out to the community extends to many ACT events, for example, project support for the Women’s Health Centre, horticultural and children’s services students participating in Floriade annually, communication and media students involved in the National Folk Festival, sports students working in the Fit and Well Centre with people with disabilities, to name a few.

The Options

Based on Professor Bradley’s paper, there are only really two options, a new Institution (UC and CIT) or an autonomous CIT.  Without detailed reference to possible structures and governance models, we can only speculate on the how these new structures might work, therefore, we have identified factors we think need to be considered in proposing a new or merged institution.

Important considerations

• The recommendations in the report are speculative with no rationale.  There is no qualitative or quantitative data provided that backs Bradley’s speculations. In short, it is predictive and poses more questions than it answers. It is very much an opinion of Professor Bradley. As the architect of the Bradley report which changes the funding model of higher education she of all people understands the implications for the University of Canberra. We would suggest this is possibly a conflict of interest that could bias her view of the needs of UC over CIT’s. On these grounds, it appears the new institution could be, in the first instance, more advantageous to UC. Therefore, this begs the question:  is this a rescue mission for the University of Canberra who needs to increase student numbers?
• What if a new institution doesn’t meet the needs of UC to increase enrolments? This could be a big price for CIT and the ACT community to pay. Although the circumstances were very different, the Darwin University/TAFE merger did not increase enrolments in the University sector at all.
• CIT needs to participate in the shaping of this new institution in terms of governance, legislation and management positions.  CIT needs to be consulted in creating a model structure that puts VET in the picture in any meaningful way.
• It is critical that if a merger is to be the proposed model then a 50% VET and 50% Higher Ed split in a Governing Council and resource allocation processes be legislated and that the VET agenda is imbedded at all levels.
• If CIT was an autonomous structure, it has the opportunity to be more proactive and responsive to market/industry demands.  Assets could be rationalised (without Government intervention as has happened with Southside, Watson and Weston Campuses). CIT could also be more proactive in seeking and negotiating better partnerships and business contracts. Although autonomy for CIT would be an equally challenge, it should at least be investigated.
• A merger may well open the gates for a very competitive stand alone, successful TAFE like Box Hill to move in to the local market immediately.
• The improved pathway notion is not analogous for all courses. Students who currently complete some CIT Advanced Diplomas would not necessarily be able to transition directly to a UC course of similar subject matter.  A perfect example of this is the Diploma in Engineering. The CIT course does not contain the full background of Maths and Physics required for a degree course. They represent different academic models for different purposes.
• We are also concerned that the difference between the CIT VET Diplomas and the UC Polytechnic Diplomas are not clear. What is the public perception of this?
• If a merger is unsuccessful in the future, how does the ACT regain the VET sector which provides a skilled workforce for the ACT and region?
• Neither model takes into account the impact of ANU on the enrolments of UC. ANU will always be a local, as well as national and international competitor.
• The ACT Government Steering Committee is, in fact, representing the interests of CIT in the making of this decision and we would hope that there will be ongoing consultation with CIT. When the decision is made, the Steering Committee will be negotiating with the University of Canberra Council, who may or may not accept the conditions. What happens if UC Council rejects the recommendations of the Steering Committee?

Benefits to Students

Professor Bradley does not really address what the benefit would be to students. It is the single most important point of the whole debate because if there are no measureable benefits for students, there is very little purpose to the exercise. At this point, we can only speculate on the benefits as they depend completely on the type of structure and the position of VET within that structure.

At the moment, pathways already exist between UC and CIT. The only foreseen benefit to VET students is that it would be in the interest of UC to have better articulation arrangements than currently exist. There is also the possibility that UC will develop a greater understanding of the VET sector, rather than being the gatekeepers to the HE sector. As previously noted, the Diplomas offered within the HE sector are very different to VET Diplomas, so there, in fact, have another layer to contend with.

Conclusion

It must not be underestimated that TAFEs have equally important and different roles to play in the training and education of Australians to that of the Higher Sector. The recent opinions expressed about the dumbing down of UC by TAFE degrees is exceptionally ignorant and fails to acknowledge the value of the VET sector, but unfortunately this view is reflected in commentary among UC students and staff.

In our experience, CITSA strongly believes the student body and the ACT community would be best served by a strong independent and autonomous VET organisation[2]. An institution making its own unfettered decisions makes rational and educational sense. Regardless of which option the Steering committee chooses, CIT will continue to compete for places and funding in VET sector in the ACT and region. We strongly urge the Steering Committee to be mindful of the successful academic model at CIT which risks being damaged in an unnecessary and expensive merger [3] that may assist UC in the new Higher Education reality.

If the Steering committee determines that a new institution is established combining the VET and Higher Education sectors then CITSA proposes:

• A fair and equitable process be established to ensure the integrity of each sector
• That the senior management positions (CIT – CEO and UC – Vice Chancellor ) be vacated and the recruiting process be operated externally
• That a student representative body and student service provider to the student community be a joint priority of the new institution and CITSA is involved in the establishment of this body[4].

About CITSA

The Canberra Institute of Technology Student Association is a not for profit incorporated association. CITSA has been providing services to CIT and CIT students since 1978. CITSA is operating under an MOU with CIT. CITSA has an annual turnover of $4.5M and employs 65 staff.

CITSA has been contributing to the CIT built environment for many years as well as awarding scholarships and grants.

In 2010 CITSA:

• undertook building renovations at Southside campus updating food services, bookshop, café and recreational space in excess of $900K,
• purchased $100K of photo voltaic panels which are in situ on the Fyshwick Electrotechnology building, and
• gave a grant to the Sustainable House Project at Bruce Campus for $40K

CITSA encompasses a guild model of a student organisation which provides representation, advocacy, activities and commercial services to the CIT community.

[2] Both RMIT and Swinburne started as TAFEs and became Universities of Technology, which is very different to a merged model.

[3] No business case has been documented as yet.

[4] See Student Services, Amenities, Representations and Advocacy Guidelines, which underpin the Higher Education Support Amendment (Student Services Amenities) Bill, Department of Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations.

Current accommodation options in the ACT for students enrolled at CIT (international and regional)

• CIT’s Residential Accommodation (on and off campus) has 76 rooms in total, there are 32 international students and 40 regional students currently in living in these ressies. All of CIT’s Resident Accommodation is fully booked and this has been the experience for several years. CIT Ressies are located at: Bruce Campus (48 rooms), Monterey Apartments, Reid (18 rooms), Bowman House, Hackett has (10 rooms).
• In 2011, there are 7 international students in homestay, of which 2 are under 18 and therefore placed under guardianship. In 2010, CIT placed 23 international students into homestay.
• CIT also places approximately 30 – 60 international students from study group tours into homestays per year for short term stays. They currently have 7 students on a waiting list. Of all students in Ressies, 42 are male and 30 are female. CIT Bruce Ressies are $155 pw and Monterey and Bowman are $145, full board homestay is $260 per week.
• Currong Apartments, Reid currently has 35 CIT students, and of the 152 on the waiting list 27 students are from CIT, 77 ANU and 48 UC. Of the total number of students living in Currong Apartments 90-95% would be international students.
• Havelock House has not provided statistics on CIT students at this point in time.
• Arscott House has less than 10 CIT students in semester one, 2011. It is managed by the UC Student Association. Applications are online and returning students get priority. Vacant accommodation is offered on a first come first served basis. Arscott House offers full board (2 meals a day) for $265 per week for one semester or $240 a week for full year.
• Private Rental Market ($150 – $250 for a room in 3 bedroom house)

Models used in other jurisdictions to meet the accommodation needs of tertiary education students

• WA – proposal that the WA government intends to subsidise newly built housing based on the individual student needs (student pays so much and the govt pays so much).
• Commercial ventures between hotel chains and local developers investing in Student Accommodation (ANU, UniLodge, UC Village).
• Private Investors in the market subletting houses .
• Unilodge/Campus Living Villages Models.

CIT Student experiences of current accommodation options in the ACT (local, interstate and international)

• Private rental market in the ACT is increasingly unaffordable for students.
• Students are moving further away from the city as inner city private apartment redevelopment puts the market in a higher rental bracket.
• Students prefer to live in the CBD where employment opportunities are greater.
• International Students and regional students are moving over the border to Queanbeyan (noticeably in 2010/2011) where accommodation is marginally cheaper, but public transport costs are a disincentive ($8 per day return bus fares to the City on a student discount).
• Some International Students choose to live in overcrowded accommodation to reduce the cost of rent (in some group house arrangements lounge, dining rooms, corridors are rented out as bedrooms).
• Students prefer apartments because of reduced maintenance responsibilities.
• Students prefer living closer to the campus to reduce transport costs and travel time (Deane’s expensive and ACTION infrequent or unreliable).
• Students under 18 are not permitted to live in CIT residences as guardianship is required so CIT places them in Homestay. Some students under 18 cannot afford to live in homestay as it’s more expensive than other accommodation (home stay is approx $240 full board per week).
• Younger regional students or international students new to Canberra do not have local referees for real estate agents which is problematic and places them further down the list for selection.
• CIT Apprentices on block release (e.g. 3 weeks at a time, or one day a week, or one week a month) from the region have lots of problems securing temporary accommodation. Many stay at the YHA (no security for their belongings and tools) hotels, caravan parks or ‘couch surfing’ with friends. They are shocked how expensive Canberra is to live and stay compared to regional country towns.
• CIT students under the age of 18 have difficulty in every aspect of securing accommodation (if they have no supporting family, they cannot provide a guardian or guarantees on rent).
• CIT students have reported that Havelock House is unsuitable and has inflexible share arrangements for groups (financial share arrangements complicated, eg one bill for electricity to be shared 5 ways among tenants who are transient). The long term tenants at Havelock House and the transient younger student tenant are not compatible.
• Currong Apartments Management is outsourced to the Southside Caravan Park and they are difficult to contact and slow to respond to enquiries. Since Currong Apartments commenced housing students, it has been full to capacity with a waiting list continuously of over 100 students, mostly ANU students who seem to always get first options on all accommodation.

Strategies adopted by CIT to meet student accommodation needs

• A CITSA representative and a CIT representative participated in the Chief Ministers Working Party into Student Accommodation 2004-2007. This Working Party looked at short term solutions and did not have a brief to discuss the long term alternatives for student accommodation. Current status of the group unknown. CITSA’s observations of the Working Group was that it appeared to benefit the ANU more than other institutions (i.e. ANU had first student access and knowledge of the ACT Government’s decision regarding access to Currong Apartments, and Wattle Lodge before it was discussed at the Working Party).
• CIT purpose built accommodation in 2004 on the Bruce Campus, housing 48 international/regional students to supplement the other hostel accommodation (Arscott House, Hackett House, Bowman House, Currong Apartments).
• 2010 viability study of building accommodation on Reid Campus (CIT Staff member: Doug Brooks) where the majority of international students study.
• The CMFEU, CIT and CITSA have been in discussions regarding temporary housing of regional apprentices by CMFEU members.

Co-ordination and planning measures adopted by the ACT Government to meet anticipated needs in student accommodation

• Chief Ministers Working Party into Student Accommodation in the ACT (chaired by Dean Terrell) enabled access to DHCS owned Currong Apartments which was regarded as a short term measure. The terms of reference for this working party did not cover long term solutions. It was apparent that the long term solution was handed back to the educational institutions to solve. CIT, at the time, was not in a position financially to resolve its accommodation dilemma. This continues to be the case as it is beholden to the ACT Govt for funding.
• ANU was given land access to build student accommodation on the University perimeter (City West). The Federal Government approved ANU to build the new dwellings through the National Rental Affordability Scheme. The student accommodation is rented at 20% below market rent.
• In 2010/11 CIT investigated the feasibility of building substantial student accommodation on the Reid Campus. The proposal was put to Government in May this year to but was declined.

General factors influencing availability and access to appropriate accommodation for the core demographic group (18-25 year old)

• Location – students are a transient group and during their studies prefer to locate as close to their place of study as possible to avoid additional costs (car, transport, time).
• Affordability – subsidised housing is preferred e.g. similar to Currong Apartments, but group share is a trend because it’s cheaper.
• Transport – bus routes and timetables influence choice as not all CIT Campuses on major bus routes.
• Flexible Lease arrangements – international and regional students may go home in the breaks, sometimes for up to 8 weeks so they need to be able to vacate their accommodation temporarily.
• Lack of referees and references for renting from the private sector
• Under the age of 18 year olds have a very difficult time.

In summary, CIT has never had sufficient access to student accommodation, and it has been obvious that other tertiary institutions, in particular, ANU and UC, have been given priority over the TAFE sector. With the current discussions regarding a merger with UC, it is very unlikely that the order of priority will change.

International students will always get priority because they are full fee paying; regional students will always be disadvantaged by the cost and relocation from their home town (they also are disadvantaged by Centrelink compared to students enrolled in degrees who get relocation scholarships); apprentices on block release will always find it expensive when they pay daily hotel rates and have limited access to cooking facilities.

When CIT students seek accommodation assistance from the CIT Student Association, we are forced to push them back out into the open rental market. This has resulted in students temporarily living in cars, staying overnight in the library, ‘couch surfing’ with friends or classmates, returning home to regional NSW until they secure affordable accommodation, staying in hotels and paying bills on credit cards (NSW apprentices are subsidised $28 per night by the NSW Govt scheme VTAS).

Since 2005, CITSA has been involved in many forums to lobby for more affordable student accommodation. For the last few years, we have been unable to assist students with accommodation requests as the rental market was full. We referred students to all possible websites, including ANU Housing, UC Housing, Allhomes and Gumtree. Students were in long queues at viewings for share accommodation and in some desperate instances, CITSA housed students temporarily at the YHA or with CIT teachers. There is no doubt that ANU and UC dominate the market for student accommodation and are in a position to respond in some way to their own created demands. CIT students have always been at the mercy of the private rental market which we know is expensive. The Private Market Rental charges, more often than not, exceed full independent Youth Allowance ($175 per week) and when there is no choice of cheaper rental, what should they do? Not study, go back to regional NSW?

We welcome the opportunity to share our views with the ACT Government and look forward to the short-term accommodation strategy in December 2011. We ask that the TAFE sector not be excluded from the Tertiary discussion as it has in previous forums and that this submission provides some evidence for a serious discussion.

Elaine Walls, Student Services Co-ordinator
Canberra Institute of Technology Student Association Inc
June, 2011

When: Every Wednesday (including holidays).

Where: At Reid Oval near War Memorial.

When: From 2 till 4 pm.

How to join: Contact your class SRC member or
Contact Margie in J01 after class or at 0438660750.

How much does it cost: Free

What do you need: Bring soccer boots if you have them, but don’t worry if you haven’t got them.