10/04/2017
There’s to be an increase in the number of courses available at the TAFE in Glen Innes in the upcoming term and into the new year.
What’s called a Connected Learning Centre means colleges in Glen Innes, Tenterfield, Quirindi and Coonabarabran will be able to share specialist resources like a particular teacher who is expert in a particular field.
Local MP, Adam Marshall, said the introduction of distance learning via video links and other technological improvements was an “absolute game-changer” for the way people in this area were educated.
He added: “By the start of next year the multi-million dollar Glen Innes Connected Learning Centre will offer thirty per cent more courses to local students compared to the existing TAFE campus, with many more to come in the future.”
He cited a string of new courses that would be available in Glen Innes: Introduction to Welding, Certificate IV in Wool-Classing and the Advanced Diploma in Agribusiness Management.
There has been some debate about the new centre, with qualms about whether class-room learning (and the teachers involved) might be replaced by technology. Mr Marshall said it actually meant two extra full-time teachers.
By Steve Evans