For those who work within the institute, this might have seemed like another potential minefield of jobs lost, resources drained and lives touched by TAFE in jeopardy.

Our Inverell TAFE has stood for several decades in its current form, and most people would attest to the fact it is not the campus it used to be.

Once bustling, filled with activity, voices and life, it has quieted down considerably in recent years. Former teachers have commented on the empty walkways and vacant classrooms. That may all be about to change.

A massive injection of funds is heading TAFE’s way, from TAFE itself. Divestment of old structures, which need water bills paid, insurance maintained, defunct, dusty equipment stored might be the payroll for a chance to give our community and our youth, an inviting and encouraging place of education and support. 

The old phrase, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” works well when it applies, and though TAFE may not be broken, it is a long way from the humming, top-of-the-market training institute which held court across Australia as the place for people to find a new vocation or inspiration.

TAFE also serves as a safe place for those who need it. Right now, without the funding pot to give those students the cocoon of support while they pick up the pieces to start a new life, we will lose those people.

Government announcements are often ingested with dose of skepticism, and rightly so. Since when do we lay our trust in the hands of politicians?

But in this case, it might be the time to try. Because we need TAFE. In Inverell, the last thing we need is to send our students, our young people on the road for hours a week, maybe in a car they can ill-afford running on fuel paid for with their grocery money, just to get the training they need to find a job.

We need to own our opportunity for hope right here in Inverell. 

As the changes roll-out, it would befit all our residents to review the plans TAFE has to reinvent itself. All generations can make use of this facility, just on the horizon. 

And in the meantime, talk to our local MP, and express what you want from TAFE. Write or call the New England TAFE, and let them know what you want to see supported here in our community, because the work of TAFE affects our future.