The reassurances come after TAFE New England secured a Smart and Skilled contract for next year, part of a reform process that will come into effect from January 1 and will, for the first time, force TAFE to compete for funding with private course providers.

Acting institute director Lyn Rickard said the contract would allow it to be able to continue the provision of quality education across the region and employers could be confident they would still have access to job-ready employees.

But the criticism of the reforms has been harsh, the NSW Teachers’ Federation warning of rising course costs, staff job cuts and fewer course options.

The union’s TAFE organiser and Inverell TAFE teacher Kathy Nicholson told The Leader she had already been warned of further staff cuts and said students should brace for higher fees.

They’re assertions Ms Rickard rejects, saying students wouldn’t notice any change at their local campus, although the programs would be offered “in more innovative ways” in acknowledgement of the more competitive market TAFE now found itself in.

However, courses would always change, and had always changed, according to the needs of the local community, she said.

While not rejecting the suggestion that fees would rise, Ms Rickard maintains TAFE will still be very affordable and will continue to offer generous concessions and fee exemptions for many students across the region.

She said from next year, too, flexible payment options and loan schemes would be offered.

The reforms would change the way TAFEs across the state did business, Ms Rickard said, but she didn’t believe it would affect student numbers and said regional institutes would continue to be leaders in vocational education.

She said the Smart and Skilled contract wasn’t TAFE New England’s only revenue stream, either.

The institute’s business plan also includes the likes of fee-for-service programs, short community courses, and other partnerships and business relationships.

There are about 20,000 students across 11 campuses in the region, although in recent times Tenterfield, Boggabilla and Quirindi have been reduced to three days a week.

Ms Rickard acknowledged this was a move to help the budget bottomline, but had also ensured the future of these smaller campuses. 

She said TAFE was committed to the region and wasn’t going anywhere, and urged students who had any concerns to talk to staff.

“We’ll keep doing what we can do to maintain the quality we’ve always prided ourselves on ... and impact people’s lives for the better,” Ms Rickard said.

“And the way we do that is to continue to engage with local communities and ensure the sustainability of our business.”