Confused: Student Nick Payne does not know if he can finish his course. Picture: Jeremy Bannister
TAFE students currently enrolled in courses due to be cancelled as a result of funding cuts will be able to complete their courses, according to the University of Ballarat.
But some students remain sceptical, claiming there is still great uncertainty over their futures.
Nick Payne, who has only months to go in completing an advanced diploma in live performance, said students were confused how the university would keep its promise.
“We’ve been told so many different things by so many different people,” he said.
“The university has said they have an obligation to see every enrolled student through their course.”
Mr Payne said he knew of staff members who had been offered redundancy packages, which would effectively leave classes without teachers.
“It’s contradicting because they say they’re going to see everyone out, but they’re offering redundancy packages,” he said.
“If they kick the instructors out but still maintain the course – how’s that going to work?”
Last week, a proposed list of cuts to Ballarat TAFE courses was sent to University of Ballarat staff for consideration.
The university, which operates dozens of TAFE courses in Ballarat and western Victoria, has previously announced up to 60 programs would no longer be offered due to the state government slashing $20 million from its TAFE budget.
Mr Payne’s course, the only one like it in regional Victoria, was on that list.
“I didn’t believe it, I was shocked,” he said of the news last week.
“Today was the first day we’ve been in and they sat us down straight away with the people in charge of the course.
“They keep saying they’re proposed cuts – but we all know it’s going to happen.”
University of Ballarat deputy vice-chancellor Professor Andy Smith said despite the funding cuts, all current TAFE students would have the opportunity to finish their course.
“We should stress that we are currently consulting with our staff about the courses that we will retain and those that might no longer be offered,” he said.
“An important part of these discussions is about the numbers of students who might be affected and the arrangements we need to put in place for them to complete their course.
“We are confident that we will be able to meet the needs of our students, despite the fact that the state government has decided to begin introducing its changes to TAFE funding on 1 July of this year.”
