The Andrews State Government must step in and provide support to students and staff who have been left in limbo following the closure of at least two Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), Member for Morwell Russell Northe said.
Mr Northe said the closure of a number of RTOs without any prior warning has left a number of local students and staff members of these businesses facing an uncertain future.
“Unfortunately the Andrews Government has not offered any explanation as to why these RTO’s have closed and scant detail as to how students and staff will be supported and this is simply unacceptable,” Mr Northe said
“My office has been inundated with concerns from students with regards to not being able to complete their course; not receiving credits for modules they have completed, and not receiving a refund for a course that they haven’t been able to complete.
“Many people have also raised concerns of paying monies for courses to RTO’s only to have their doors close on these same businesses a couple of days later,” he said.
“Some students have now been left in limbo after completing part of their training course but have no certainty as to if their completed training modules will be recognised with another provider.”
Mr Northe said staff have also highlighted issues such as not being paid for part of their employment and are quite rightly concerned that they may not receive their due entitlements.
“With unemployment on the rise and the current lack of job prospects in the Latrobe Valley, our community is very concerned about this situation and we are seeking answers from the Andrews Government,” Mr Northe said.
“This news comes on top of recent data showing that TAFE enrolments have fallen in Gippsland by 2,400 in 2015.
“It is simply not good enough that the State Government has neglected local students and staff following these closures, and it must step in urgently to not only provide answers, but also provide information and support to those impacted by these closures.”
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