YOU can’t miss the Chisholm Institute campus on a prominent intersection as you drive into Wonthaggi. But despite the attractive campus and the impressive advertising hoardings, the institute doesn’t offer a single in-person course.
Long-time secondary and tertiary trainer Malcolm Beasley says the lack of hands-on vocational training in Bass Coast is short-changing local students and forcing them to leave home for training.
Long-time secondary and tertiary trainer Malcolm Beasley says the lack of hands-on vocational training in Bass Coast is short-changing local students and forcing them to leave home for training.
Despite Chisholm Institute’s impressive advertising hoardings, the institute doesn’t offer a single in-person course in Bass Coast. “The need for physical courses at the Wonthaggi campus is crucial for supporting our local economy and providing residents with the skills necessary to thrive in a rapidly evolving job market.
“I am so concerned about the future of my grandchildren who live in Wonthaggi. What options, besides moving out of the area, do they have for vocational training in a physical environment? What will happen to us when all the young people leave?”
He says the lack of local training opportunities limits the ability of residents to upskill and pursue vocational education without the need to travel considerable distances, which is often impractical and costly.
The disparity in access to training resources is stark when comparing Bass Coast to similar shires such as Colac Otway, Mount Alexander and South Gippsland.
“I am so concerned about the future of my grandchildren who live in Wonthaggi. What options, besides moving out of the area, do they have for vocational training in a physical environment? What will happen to us when all the young people leave?”
He says the lack of local training opportunities limits the ability of residents to upskill and pursue vocational education without the need to travel considerable distances, which is often impractical and costly.
The disparity in access to training resources is stark when comparing Bass Coast to similar shires such as Colac Otway, Mount Alexander and South Gippsland.
“Bass Coast College is the largest college in Gippsland and significantly bigger than comparative schools yet there is no training centre to cater for transition to work, VET in Schools nor post-secondary pathways for these students.
“This disparity is unacceptable and significantly hinders the ability of local residents to access essential training and educational resources without the need to travel long distances, which is often impractical and costly.”
Mr Beasley has written an open letter to the Federal Minister for Skills and Training, Brendan O’Connor, asking him to intervene to ensure vocational training is available in Bass Coast Shire.
He is also seeking support from the Bass Coast community. You can sign the Change.org petition for a Bass Coast TAFE college.
“This disparity is unacceptable and significantly hinders the ability of local residents to access essential training and educational resources without the need to travel long distances, which is often impractical and costly.”
Mr Beasley has written an open letter to the Federal Minister for Skills and Training, Brendan O’Connor, asking him to intervene to ensure vocational training is available in Bass Coast Shire.
He is also seeking support from the Bass Coast community. You can sign the Change.org petition for a Bass Coast TAFE college.
Malcolm Beasley ran the Impact Creativity Centre in Wonthaggi from 2000-2011 delivering training in digital media and information technology to 16 secondary colleges at VCE level as well as Advanced Diploma students. He has delivered VET in VCE training to Year 11 and 12 VCE and VM students at Bass Coast College (formerly Wonthaggi Secondary College) since 2012.