LA Trobe university’s Wodonga campus is expecting an influx of students later this year as the global credit crisis cuts jobs.
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Yesterday executive director Lin Crase said first-round demand for university placements had been about the same as last year.
More than 500 first-round offers were made to the potential students.
That is expected to translate to about 300 new enrolments later this month, keeping the campus student population at about 1000.
But Dr Crase believes the forecast downturn in the labour market will see more students returning later this year.
“I think we will see an extra 10 or 20 per cent in mid-year enrolments,” he said.
“My reading of the situation is that we will see an increased demand from non-convential areas.
“Many of those that were planning a gap year might find the job prospects aren’t what they thought.
“I think that will translate into more people looking at part and full-time study somewhere —whether that be university or TAFE.”
Claire Kavanagh. 18, is one of those students who will choose to take a gap year.
The Wodonga Secondary College student was offered a spot in psychology at the La Trobe campus but will spend the year working and saving “as much money as possible”.
“I will definitely go back to study next year but I need the year off,” she said.
But Yarrawonga’s Elise Eder, 19, is defying the trend, returning to study science, with a view of getting into meteorology, after a year of working, paying off her car and “getting it out of my system”.
“To be truthful, I almost didn’t come back to study, I was a nerd who actually enjoyed school and suddenly I discovered my passion for learning again,” she said.
Meanwhile, Howlong’s Sean Morphett, 24, has just finished an arts degree and plans to get his teacher qualifications this year.
