POTENTIAL students might be considering enrolment for the first 2015 semester at TAFE, but with the New Year, comes changes.
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The NSW Smart and Skilled reforms will be effective when the term begins in January.
In short, all Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), like TAFE, will be bound to higher fees for certificates and most students will be allowed only one subsidised entitlement for certificates II and III.
There are many exceptions and additional terms that will be bound to raise many questions in those first few months.
To compete against other local RTOs for the same students means TAFE examined the reforms Skills List and identified training most needed in Inverell to configure certificate and course offerings.
It also means considering the current campus infrastructure.
For teaching flexibility, the institute has already implemented ‘TNE Connects’, a mobile delivery units and creative, blended, and real-time distance learning.
Lyn Rikard is the acting director of TAFE New England and said the she and staff of the Inverell campus has been actively engaging all stakeholders including local businesses, the Linking Together Centre and Inverell Shire Council to identify employment opportunities. “Relationships with business, councils, the not-for-profit sector and the community are very much part of the new Smart and Skilled reform.”
Considering TAFE course offerings ahead, Ms Rikard explained it was imperative to establish the foundation to outfit work-ready young people in the face of a 6.4 per cent national unemployment and 14 per cent youth unemployment.
“The 1400 children in local primary schools and 1100 students in secondary schools are the labour force for the region into the future,” she said. “TAFE New England will continue to review its suite of products and services to ensure it meets the current and emerging needs of the Inverell and surrounding community.” However, Ms Rikard said TAFE would continue to offer courses not on the Skills List based on local demand.
“Many of these are commercial courses, which are targeted at interest areas and regionally-specific business needs.” Ms Rikard said there are some solutions for students with existing or unfinished certificates that might be affected under the new entitlement scheme.
“In 2015, fee concessions and exemptions will continue to be available to people experiencing disadvantage,” she said.