By Kyra Gillespie
Local students have been left in the dark after Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE (GOTAFE)’s decision to cease dairy training operations in the Gippsland region.
The move follows Dairy Australia’s (DA) decision to change its vocational education system, the National Centre for Dairy Education, in favour of a new model called Dairy Learn at the end of last year.
DairyLearn is expected to include more registered training organisations, and potentially move into different areas of education such as high schools and universities.
GOTAFE has confirmed it will continue to provide dairy training however, it will “concentrate its dairy training in north eastern Victoria” — where it has campuses in Shepparton, Wangaratta, Benalla and Seymour, as well as one in Werribee — has “ceased operations” at Warragul, Leongatha and Terang.
GOTAFE said in a press release the move would “allow local TAFEs and training providers in Gippsland and south west Victoria an opportunity to service and support the dairy industry in these regions”.
“GOTAFE was advised of DA’s decision before the announcement (about DairyLearn) and this provided the opportunity to review its dairy training delivery, in line with its strategic focus on the communities and industries within North East Victoria.
“We are aiming to minimise the inconvenience to students and other stakeholders and where possible, affected staff will be considered for other existing vacancies or offered redundancy.”
Member for Narracan Gary Blackwood said this week there was a lot of uncertainty for current students.
“The loss of this training from Warragul and Leongatha is a big blow to our region given the significant number of dairy farms located here and the job opportunities they provide”, Mr Blackwood said.
“Young dairy farmers I speak to continue to impress on me the importance of educating themselves not just through practical on-farm work but also by complementing their learning with a TAFE course.
“Federation Training doesn’t currently offer these courses therefore if students are transferred to another provider, there is no guarantee that will be local or easily accessible as was the case before.”
The cuts came as a surprise to hundreds of students at the Warragul and Leongatha campuses, who claim they were not notified about the changes.
“Guess my TAFE course just ended without any notice”, current student Hayden Pike wrote on Facebook.
“My son is a student – great way to find out”, mother Jeanette White said.
“I’d be interested to understand the process for notifying students who are in the middle of a qualification with GOTAFE”, she added.
Shadow Minister for Training, Skills and Apprenticeships Steph Ryan highlights that these changes come at a time of great uncertainty for the local dairy sector.
“This decision to cut dairy training raises more questions than answers”, she said.
“The Andrews Government must come clean on the number of students who are part way through a traineeship with GOTAFE who will no longer be able to complete their training with the provider.
“Given Federation Training does not currently offer these courses, Training Minister Gayle Tierney should also detail what she is doing to ensure students who are stranded can complete their qualifications.”
In a statement Federation Training says it’s started discussions about future options for the provision of agricultural and dairy training in Gippsland.
