South Western Sydney TAFE cuts access
South Western Sydney Institute of TAFE has recently cut its funding for Outreach and General Education programs run through its Vocational Access Faculty. The Institute’s Outreach and General Education programs provide targeted pathways into learning and vocational education for disadvantaged learners. Many programs also run in partnership with community organisations, schools and other agencies – including ICE.
Several partnership collaborations between ICE and the SWSI TAFE Outreach Unit that had already been approved for Semester 2 can now not proceed. These include an integrated multi-stakeholder program providing skills in community cultural development for unemployed from Indigenous, Pacific communities and migrant backgrounds.
The decision to withdraw funds was made apparently without consultation or even any proper notice. It has put significant pressure on a range of community agencies with programs ready to commence and the clients they serve who have been making arrangements to be involved in these programs in Semester 2.
ICE has written to the Director of SWSI asking that he reverse this decision and properly review the rationale for the funding cuts to the Vocational Access Faculty. We are asking him to respect the partnerships, already agreed upon, between SWSI TAFE and community agencies in the delivery of Outreach and General Education programs.
We are also asking that the Institute conduct a proper analysis of its target client learning needs, including the impact of access and equity programs, so that decisions about future programs can be based on a genuine understanding of the real learning needs of the area serviced by the Institute.
If you would like further information about this issue, please contact Miguel Sumera on 9897 5744, or by email.
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