Wodonga TAFE’s rural access project to enable real-time access for remote students
Wednesday, 3 March 2021
Wodonga TAFE is piloting a new model of course delivery to benefit students across our region. The ‘Rural Access Project’ aims to deliver a range of valuable skills in customer service, business, retail, and hospitality, alongside a nationally recognised qualification in Tourism, to participants from some of the most remote towns in the Towong, Indigo, and Alpine Shires.
The course delivery is supported by Neighbourhood Centres across the northeast region, with students able to access Internet and study support through the local Centres in Tallangatta, Corryong, Myrtleford, Chiltern, and Mt Beauty. Students in these regional communities will be able to join online from their own home if they have internet capability, or from their Neighbourhood Centre, to participate and engage in classes in real-time with students studying on campus at the TAFE’s McKoy Street campus.
Manager of Wodonga TAFE’s Education and Vocational Skills department, Ms Janelle Cretney, said this was an exciting initiative for her team to be involved in. “This project aims to open up opportunities for students in our regional communities to engage in training, without the need to travel great distances to attend classes on campus every day”, said Janelle. ‘The support and internet access that will be offered by the Neighbourhood Centres is key to the success of our students. We are very proud to be able to work with our community partners to remove more of the barriers that people in our regional communities face when trying to access further study options.”
“Course graduates will be well-equipped for a career - whether they choose tourism, or step into another service industry such as hospitality, retail, or small business”, continued Janelle, “As Victoria and Australia return to a new level of COVID-normal and people recommence travel, these skills in regional tourism and associated service industries will be in high demand.”
The first intake of this pilot program in Certificate III in Tourism will commence in April 2021, with applications now open. Further information is available from each of the Neighbourhood Centres, or from Wodonga TAFE’s Customer Experience team, phone 1300698233 or email info@wodongatafe.edu.au, or view the course information for Certificate III in Tourism on Wodonga TAFE's website.