Sage students get help to move providers

THOUSANDS of students at the collapsed Sage Institute’s network of colleges have been told they will be given help to continue their studies.

O'Neil Santos, 24, was studying fitness at the Sage Institute in Brisbane. The Sage Institute went into administration last month. Picture: Claudia Baxter

THOUSANDS of students at Sage Institute’s network of colleges have been told they will be given help to find a new college to continue their studies after administrators closed their campuses.

The Australian Careers Institute, which owns the Sage Institutes of Fitness, Aged Care, Massage, Education and Child Care went into administration last month, but on Wednesday the Queensland and NSW campuses were shut down.

Classes at the Victorian campuses have been suspended for a week as administrators keep discussions open with an interested party. Administrators Ferrier Hodgson expect to announce a decision on the Victorian classes within a week.

Approximately 1600 students and 200 employees were employed across campuses in the three states. Students have been told by administrators they will be given help to be placed at other training providers to complete their course or given credits or refunds.

“Wherever possible we will look to minimise disruption to students,” administrator George Georges said. Students have been advised to contact the Australian Council of Private Education and Training’s activations team on 1800 875 474.

Students caught up in the sudden closure vented their anger on social media on Wednesday. Tiffany Lee Field turned up at the Sage Institute of Fitness in Brisbane only to be given a letter saying she won’t be able to finish her diploma at the institute.

She said she had three months left to go. “You have wasted thousands of not only my but other people’s money and time, and should be ashamed of how you have put a massive hole in the lives of many young people today,” she wrote on Facebook.

Employees were notified of the closures on Wednesday and will be given support Ferrier Hodgson said “all employee entitlements will rank as priority unsecured claims”.

Victoria’s government said it was ready to help students transition to another training provider.

“The Department of Education and Training are continuing to work with the administrator to safeguard students’ interests,” the government said in a statement.

Originally published as Sage students get help to move providers