“As a stand-alone regional training provider, Wodonga TAFE is very proud of its reputation for training the very best of our future workforce, in our facilities that offer the latest in industry-relevant training of a high standard to our apprentices and students”, said Wodonga TAFE’s CEO, Mr Phil Paterson. 

 

Mr Paterson said whilst he was disappointed to learn of the recent aspersions cast across the TAFE and Vocational Education and Training sector, he was very confident to say the comments were not at all relevant to Wodonga TAFE. “Wodonga TAFE has worked hard to ensure we offer the very best of training facilities to our students, employers, and community. We have invested significant capital into facilities upgrades over the past 18 months”, said Mr Paterson. “We have proactively tendered and won a series of government funding opportunities to maintain our campuses to a standard that meets the demands of providing training consistently to industry standards.”

 

Wodonga TAFE’s Kids on Campus Early Learning Centre was recently extended to create an integrated learning facility that allows the TAFE to combine their childcare offerings with training delivery of Certificate III in and Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care. A combination of new construction and renovations extended learning spaces, classrooms, kitchen facilities, and provided a new reception area. 

 

“The improved facility enables our Teachers and Childhood Educators to continue to lead the way in the Early Childhood Education and Care industry” continued Mr Paterson. “They offer the highest level of care for enrolled children in the centre, while maintaining a holistic and collaborative approach to enable and implement the latest industry teaching methods within their operational focus. The extended spaces also provides excellent opportunities for hosting local and regional industry networking functions, forums and professional development opportunities.”

 

Wodonga TAFE also extended its training facilities in the Creative and Design spaces, with updated facilities for Interior Design industry consultations, along with the installation of a specially designed and designated office complete with consultation space, MAC workstations, and digital print press with finishing capabilities and dispatch and finishing section. This effectively provides TAFE students with their very own design and print shop operation right here on the main campus. Mr Paterson said, “This new capability gives our students the ability to learn and develop required skills and knowledge while working on actual jobs and projects that will be visible in the city, and to help local not-for-profit organisations and businesses in a professional manner.”

 

The Engineering facilities at the TAFE’s McKoy Street campus have also had a significant upgrade. As a longtime provider of training to the engineering and manufacturing industry, Wodonga TAFE has fully-equipped metal industries workshops which cater for students at all levels, from introductory welding to engineering trades. Mr Paterson said Wodonga TAFE has consolidated extensive training relationships with many employers throughout the sector. “Many of the region’s fabrication and welding apprentices from small to large manufacturers undertake their ‘block release’ training here at Wodonga TAFE.”

 

“There are many similar examples – all that give our students’ real life work experiences as they further their skills and knowledge on the way to employment opportunities”, said Mr Paterson. “Such as the addition of new hydraulic slew cranes for our Transport and Logistics department, enabling us to offer a better training representation that what is actually used in industry”, continued Mr Paterson. 

 

“There’s also new ‘Nursing Anne Simulators’ from Laerdal purchased specifically to support Nursing education in the Diploma of Nursing on campus”, said Mr Paterson. “These enable teachers to plan, run and assess their training scenarios according to the requirements of each class. By using simulators, teachers are able to ensure the Nursing students gain extensive experience and increase their confidence prior to the pressure of doing so in a real-life scenario. The capabilities of the new simulators means that students can also gain more direct Nursing experiences in scenarios that may not be available to them even in a work placement situation.”