Chief executive Mark Fidge said the provider wanted to cater for prospective students who were keen to attend outside traditional hours. 

He said they currently offered some night classes but from next year the campus would be open for business in a new format.

“We want to open it up on a Tuesday night to a whole range of courses,” Mr Fidge said. “The cafeteria will be open. We want to create a real buzz.

“We know the region has a healthy unemployment rate, that suggests that people work, but for those who want to study outside of work hours they can come along on a Tuesday night.” 

He said they would open up the Hamilton and Portland campuses too. “That’s a really exciting thing for us. If people want to get involved in study after hours they can.”

Mr Fidge floated the concept with attendees and said feedback was positive. “It’s come through as a really popular idea.”

He said they fielded lots of inquiries from prospective students in areas including community services, nursing, business and finance.

Mr Fidge said some people signed up for courses on the day, while others learnt more about the onsite Skills and Jobs centre which is open to the community.

The day was also a chance for community members to see inside and what SW TAFE offers. 

Activations across the campus encouraged attendees of all ages to get hands-on with different activities and demonstrations, while face painting, the farm yard, manicures and massages were also in demand. 

Mr Fidge said it was great to see children and families attend and they were engaged by the technology on display including 3D printers, robots and virtual reality activities. 

Another drawcard was the free and up to 80 per cent off 2019 TAFE courses in jobs where there are skills shortages.

“Free TAFE’s been very popular as has people getting around the community assets,” he said. “There’s been a steady stream of people throughout the day.”

Discounted 2019 courses are available in a range of areas including agriculture and horticulture, conservation and land management, arts, building and construction, plumbing and electrical, automotive and engineering, business and finance, education and training, food and hospitality, hair, beauty and massage, maritime, nursing and health, community services, tourism, Information and Communications Technology and short courses. 

There are also 30 courses that are free for eligible students. There are various certificate and diploma qualifications on offer. Some of these include accounting and bookkeeping, agriculture, automotive, building and construction, commercial cookery, disability, education support, furniture making, meat processing, nursing, plumbing and tourism to name a few. 

For more information contact South West TAFE.

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