Federation TAFE and SuniTAFE partner for engineering apprentices

Federation TAFE's Horsham campus and Mildura-based SuniTAFE will merge their two engineering courses, with the 35 engineering apprentices at SuniTAFE given the option to transfer over to Federation University facilities.

Moving forward, the collaboration would see the combined engineering apprenticeships delivered out of Federation TAFE's Horsham campus - with plant and equipment from SuniTAFE made available to the students.

SuniTAFE chief executive Geoff Dea said the idea came from discussions between the two organisations on how best to deliver learning to the region.

"What we have realised is that by sharing our resources together, whether that's teaching staff, plant equipment or buildings, we end up getting a much better result for the community and the region," he said.

READ MORE:

"Fed Uni has very good facilities in the Horsham region, and their facilities are superior to the facilities we are using. But, we have some excellent training equipment, some modern engineering equipment, in Horsham.

"By putting together those facilities and those plant equipment we end up with a very good training delivery to the region."

Mr Dea said the collaboration looks to work with employers in the Wimmera to see what skill gaps need to be filled in the job market.

"We are both government owned organisations that are trying to deliver training. We get a much better outcome when we work together," he said.

"The realisation that by competing against each other we are not delivering a true service, we get a much better result together.

"SuniTAFE currently delivers community services and individual support courses in the WImmera, and it will be a case of the two TAFEs working together into the future, understanding what the needs are and bringing their various resources into the training."

Federation TAFE chief executive Liam Sloan said the organisation was looking for a new tutor to work with engineering apprenticeships.

"The plan would be that they would continue with their current employer, and their block course delivery classes would happen on our Wimmera campus," he said.

"It is just really a change of location for their classroom delivery. Trying to keep it as simple and straightforward as we can for the students."

Federation TAFE and SuniTAFE will hold a joint industry workshop at the Federation TAFE campus in Horsham to showcase the engineering facilities and opportunities for local employers and students.

OTHER NEWS:

Federation TAFE will also host an information evening at the Horsham campus for local tradespeople and other professionals to find out more about becoming a TAFE teacher.

Mr Sloan said the move showed Federation TAFE's commitment to the Wimmera.

"The workshops are an opportunity for SuniTAFE to thank the region and the employers for support. And for us to provide a high level of assurance that we are going to build on the good work that SuniTAFE has done and ask the region to back Federation TAFE and consider taking on apprentices so that the local kids can get employment outcomes, education and training," he said.

Dates for both the industry workshop and information evening will be confirmed once COVID restrictions allow.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: