South West TAFE CEO Mark Fidge credits a “whole new approach” for its growth in enrolments and campus expansion which is in contrast to other centres in the state.
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An article in The Sunday Age reported the sector’s difficulties in recruiting students, with enrolments down by up to 40 per cent at some Victorian providers, two years after Premier Daniel Andrews promised to “rebuild” TAFE.
While the article said TAFE buildings elsewhere resembled “ghost campuses”, Mr Fidge said South West was thriving.
“Our student numbers in 2016 went up by 7.6 per cent,” he said. We delivered to 6722 students last year and that was up from 6247 in 2015.
“Our (student) numbers this year are nine per cent up on last year, so we’ve been steadily growing the business which is a really positive thing for the region.”
Mr Fidge said 88.6 per cent of South West TAFE students were employed upon completion of their studies.
Mr Fidge credits the regional provider’s success to moving to a “whole new approach” two years ago, which was more industry and student outcome focused.
In a bid to be more sustainable, he said the course numbers had decreased from 200 to 150, in line with student and industry demand.
“I think in the past what we were doing was we were trying to be everything to everybody and that’s where I think you can come unstuck financially,” Mr Fidge said.
“It’s meant we’ve reviewed what’s required in the region and said ‘let’s make sure we support those programs and run those programs’.
“If it wasn’t leading to a positive job outcomes for example, then we just had to say there’s no demand for those programs anymore.
“It’s like any business if there’s no demand for a product why would you keep producing it?”
Six out of 10 TAFEs, including South West TAFE, relied on additional funding last year to keep them out of deficit.
Mr Fidgesaid it was this additional funding that had helped the institute to grow. “This funding helped us to maintain our campuses in Hamilton and Portland but it also allowed us to open up a new campus in Colac.”
“I don’t see it (the additional funding to keep them out of a deficit) as a negative. I see it as a positive and I think we’re on a path to financial sustainability.
“It will take a couple of years to get to that point, but I think it’s a really positive news story for this region how we’re tracking along.
“The fact we can open a new campus and it will continue to grow. It’s doing alright this year so that’s really positive.
“I have no doubt that any institute, ourselves as well, could continue with growth and produce effective delivery to increase student numbers, but the focus has got to be on positive outcomes (for students).”
