TAFE to cut staff despite enrolment boost: union

Support staff jobs at regional Victoria's biggest vocational education supplier are in the firing line, despite increasing enrolments at major campuses. Goulburn Ovens TAFE is planning to axe more than 60 support staff in a proposed restructure that will impact 117 roles including redeployments and job changes, the National Tertiary Education Union says. "If these job losses go ahead, the economic and educational consequences for northern Victoria will be felt through the entire community," the union's Victorian branch secretary Sarah Roberts said. "Despite federal and state governments making lofty TAFE promises, critical jobs that are the heart and soul of the system are on the chopping block." The plan comes despite enrolments across TAFE's Shepparton, Seymour, Benalla, Wallan and Wangaratta campuses increasing by 500 students, or almost 10 per cent, to 6500 in the past year. Ms Roberts said teachers would not be able to cope with an estimated 30 per cent cut to support staff roles. "The Victorian government must urgently step in to save these jobs or risk enormous consequences for regional Victorian students and their communities," she said. "These are the devastating real-world consequences of the chronic underfunding of Victoria's TAFE system." The state government has invested more than $2 billion in regional TAFEs since coming to office, a spokesman for Skills and TAFE Minister Gayle Tierney said. "Our thoughts are with the workers and their families that have been impacted - we understand GOTAFE is consulting with staff and unions and will provide support to any affected staff," the spokesman said. TAFE has been contacted for comment.