WODONGA TAFE course fees could almost double next year and teaching jobs are in doubt, compounding the recent pain of a $7 million state budget cut.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The changes are contained in a secret “cabinet in confidence” document that also says a “asset rationalisation” of the campus was under review.
Wodonga chief Michael O’Loughlin yesterday said he would talk to TAFE officials next week before commenting.
Wodonga said it would review courses, costs and “associated pricing”, lifting tuition fees 80 per cent next year.
Mr O’Loughlin said points in the document already flagged included an affiliation with either La Trobe University or the Menzies University model of a “dual sector” partnership with the University of Ballarat.
Wodonga TAFE’s review will include the driving centre being built at the Logic estate at Barnawartha.
And cuts of up to 30 full-time teaching-student loads will be considered.
The campus said in July it would scrap 50 courses and not replace nine staff.
The Baillieu government slashed almost $330 million from TAFE funding in the May budget, with Wodonga losing $7 million — a 33 per cent chop.
The campus said it hoped to cover much of that through decision years ago to combine online and on-the-job training.
The secret document predicts a $612,000 deficit next year, followed by surpluses in 2014 and 2015.
Wodonga TAFE wants $250,000 from the government next year to pursue the Menzies option, $3 million in 2014 for work on the model, including a pilot project, and $5 million to develop Menzies here.
Mr O’Loughlin has said the Menzies model’s degree structure counted some TAFE qualifications for up to two years work for a Ballarat degree.
In the document, La Trobe said there were “significant challenges” to the viability of its Wodonga, Shepparton and Mildura campuses.
It wants the government to provide $13.5 million over three years to develop an integrated campus model for the sites.