South West TAFE is bidding to be one of seven TAFEs to share in an initial $20 million “rescue package” being offered by the state government.

The $20 million is a down payment on the $320 million promised by Labor last year in its election platform.

The Andrews government has vowed to revive the TAFE system after the previous Liberal government cut funding and further opened the training system to private providers.

New TAFE CEO Mark Fidge said the institute hoped to outline its plans for future growth to Mr Herbert when he visited on Wednesday.

“I think it is fantastic that he (Mr Herbert) is showing a real interest in where we are heading and how we are performing,” he said.

Mr Fidge said Mr Herbert would also talk to the institute’s staff about the new Labor government’s vision for TAFE. 

He said South West TAFE had been through “a tough period” but the future looked brighter with the government’s support for the TAFE system.

Mr Fidge said the institute had applied for extra funding for initiatives and the outcome of its applications was likely to be known in the next few weeks. Enrolments at South West TAFE dropped last year because of its reduced course offerings following funding cuts, but Mr Fidge said there were positive indications about enrolments this year.

The institute posted a deficit of $4.4 million in 2013 and Mr Fidge said early indications were that it would post another deficit for 2014, which was in line with forecasts.

“We did not have a great year but we had a reasonable year,” Mr Fidge said of 2014.

“But the financial prospects for this year are looking positive.”

Meanwhile Warrnambool mayor Michael Neoh said Warrnambool City Council was keen to pursue a joint library and learning hub with South West TAFE.

Mr Neoh said a joint facility would make more people aware of what South West TAFE had to offer.

He said if the joint facility was not eligible for funding under the $20 million rescue package, the council would pursue other funding.

In other developments involving South West TAFE, the institute has put the former McVilly Timber Mitre 10 site on Raglan Parade on the market after finding it surplus to its needs.

Mr Fidge said the site was to be auctioned on February 20.

South West TAFE bought the site in 2011 with the plan to develop it into a trades training centre but never proceeded with the idea.