TAFE fears eased

By JONATHON HOWARD

THE director of Southern Queensland TAFE, Trevor Schwenke, has sought to ease concerns over the future of both the Warwick and Stanthorpe TAFE campuses, after poor enrolment figures and the cancelation of several trade courses.
However, speculation that the Warwick TAFE could close was quashed by Mr Schwenke, while future job losses have not been ruled out.
Both campuses have suffered due to fewer enrolments on the previous year, as well as significant changes across the Queensland TAFE sector.
“Despite a decrease in enrolments at the Warwick campus this year, there is still a need for TAFE in Warwick,” he said.
“We believe that, with some changes to the way in which some programs are delivered, we will see enrolments start to grow in a number of areas.”
Community fears flared after a letter signalling the end of several trade courses was released recently.
The letter was signed by Director of Trades and Training, Judy Burke, and was sent to apprenticeship employers across the Southern Downs.
Employers were notified that on-campus delivery at Warwick TAFE would be replaced by on-site delivery.
The letter outlined the need for apprentices attending theory training to visit the Toowoomba or Bundamba campuses.
The courses were moved off-site from April 28 and included boilermaking, fitting and turning, diesel fitting and metal fabrication.
Mr Schwenke says the amalgamation of Southern Queensland and Bremer Institutes of TAFE will mean the organisation is more efficient, will have greater reach, and will be able to provide a broader scope of services through contemporary modes, which do not solely rely on students physically attending a campus.
“The Warwick campus is currently undergoing refurbishment and students will soon be able to access new learning spaces and benefit from a new customer service centre,” he said.
Although Mr Schwenke could not rule out job losses, he said the campuses had not undergone any redundancies.
“No redundancies have occurred in the past three months at either the Warwick or Stanthorpe campuses,” he said.
To find out more about a TAFE course visit: www.tafe.qld.gov.au or phone 1300 30 8233.