Eurobodalla TAFE teachers and students say they face an uncertain future following federal funding cuts to literacy and numeracy programs across Illawarra campuses.
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NSW Teachers Federation representative Rob Long met with students and teachers in Batemans Bay and Moruya on Wednesday, May 17, to discuss cuts to the Adult Migrant Education Program (AEMP) and Skills for Education and Employment (SEE).
The courses will be outsourced to private trainers.
Mr Long said TAFE Illawarra was one of two Australian institutes to lose contracts for the programs.
It is believed more than 20 students from the Batemans Bay and Moruya campuses would be affected from July 1.
“Some of the students are vulnerable and, with the anxiety of that sort of change, some of them have told me they would just stay at home.
- Rob Long, NSW Teachers Federation
“Speaking to students in Batemans Bay, a lot have told me they won’t continue their studies if they have to move (to a private provider),” Mr Long told the Bay Post/Moruya Examiner.
“Some of the students are vulnerable and, with the anxiety of that sort of change, some of them have told me they would just stay at home.”
He said there was a race against time to negotiate for current students to finish their studies through TAFE.
“The immediate concern for our existing students is that they have continuity in their studies and teachers,” Mr Long said.
“From some of the students I’ve spoken to, there’s mental health issues and the anxiety of a change like that when they’re settled into their studies now.”
Mr Long said the changes could result in job losses.
“Casual teachers will probably lose some or all of their work,” he said.
“Some teachers have said they would leave the TAFE system because there won’t be enough work,” Mr Long said.
He raised concerns over the potential flow-on effects to wider literacy and numeracy support for TAFE students, including apprentices.
Gilmore MP Ann Sudmalis was approached for comment.