Bendigo TAFE unveils transition plan to staff

Bendigo TAFE chief executive officer Maria Simpson today presented to staff the institute's draft business transition plan it has submitted to the Victorian Government-appointed Review Panel.

The transition plan, required by the State Government, outlines the strategy by which Bendigo TAFE proposes to transition through budget adjustments to a position of long-term sustainability.

Ms Simpson said the plan is premised on Bendigo TAFE remaining an autonomous provider of industry standard, work-ready training to the students and enterprises of north central Victoria.

She said the institute’s viability is reliant on finding new areas of growth, reducing corporate costs and increasing teacher productivity.

"We need to streamline internal systems to deliver higher standards of customer service. We also need to lift our performance to compete with our peers.

"To remain competitive and viable in this fully contested marketplace, we must find ways to both reduce our costs and increase our productivity. We must now meet all our costs from earnings just like all other businesses," Ms Simpson said.

Among the broad range of proposals put by Bendigo TAFE is to seek capital funding to extend BRIT Beginners Children’s Centre to include a kindergarten.

"This will enhance our reputation as a recognised expert provider of children’s services training and service delivery in the region. It will extend the industry relevant work experience opportunities for our children's services students; provide job opportunities for trade students in the redevelopment phase as well as helping to meet the growing needs of the Bendigo community."

Other proposals include strengthening relationships in the health sector, capitalising on the opportunity of the $630 million new Bendigo hospital development, and growing existing and new relationships with universities to increase the opportunities for students to move smoothly from school through TAFE and into university.

The transition plan outlines the institute’s intention to grow participation in all its regional campuses so that it is able to meet these costs.

"We propose that we continue to operate in all locations where we currently deliver. We do not own the Castlemaine Campus; we rent the land from the shire and are committed to this for the next 12 months," Ms Simpson said.

As a result of the business restructure and funding cuts, there has been a loss of 44 employees across the organisation to date. Further changes, including the contraction of education delivery streams from an initial five to three schools in January, will lead to an additional 41 staff to be made redundant by the end of 2012, bringing the total to 85.

Ms Simpson said the institute and board has been heartened by the efforts of staff to find efficiencies in their service delivery the messages of support from business and local community and urged both to continue supporting Bendigo TAFE.

"At this time we reiterate the importance of community and business support. We will continue to review the business and make changes to ensure we meet their needs. We will also continue to work closely with local enterprise to ensure the continued relevance of our programs and to build deep local partnerships."