TasTAFE defends decision to cut course that will leave students unable to complete their final year

For years Helen McLean dreamt of operating her own business. She’ll now be waiting even longer, after TasTAFE cut a three-year course after a review.

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FOR years Helen McLean dreamt of operating a clothing design business and lending her aspired design skills to refugees.

But two years into a three-year fashion design TAFE course, Ms McLean was told the diploma was being cut, leaving her unable to complete her final year and achieve her desired qualification.

The Hobart woman said she originally enrolled in a Certificate IV in Applied Fashion under the impression the diploma of the same name would be offered upon the completion of her certificate.

Ms McLean said she had heard whispers about the course cut but said it wasn’t until she reached out by email to TasTAFE chief executive Jenny Dodd that her fears were realised.

“The number of students completing the Certificate IV qualification this year is low indicating there is no increased demand for the Diploma,” part of Ms Dodd’s email reply to Ms McLean said.

Fashion design student Helen McLean was two years into a three year TAFE course before being told the course was being cut. Picture: Zak Simmonds

The student said the course cessation would be a massive hit to her business aspirations.

She said five of her classmates had expressed similar concerns.

“All six of us were hoping to form small businesses and wanted to create physical and online markets,” she said.

“I was looking at starting a clothing line and using local markets. The other thing I was hoping to do was getting involved in community education about fashion design with refugees as well as prisoners,” she said.

“I wanted to start up classes, that’s what I was hoping to achieve at the end of my three years of study, but I won’t be qualified to do that now without that final year.”

Ms McLean said she was disappointed with how the course cut was announced.

“There was no consultation, no engagement with students. It was just announced to us, we haven’t had any discussions at all,” she said.

When asked why the course cuts were made, Ms Dodd said employment outcomes of the Applied Fashion Design Diploma “were not evident over and above those who gain skills at the Certificate IV”.

Fashion design student Helen McLean was two years into a three year tafe course before being told the course was being cut. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“These changes are about ensuring that TasTAFE’s training is sustainable and that

training resources are directed to areas where there is both student demand and

industry demand,” she said.

“It sometimes leads to difficult decisions being made.

Ms Dodd said TasTAFE fashion students were sent information in October last year letting them know that fashion courses were being reviewed during 2020.

“There has been very low student demand for Diploma of Applied Fashion Design

and Merchandising in the past three years. This was also the situation with some of

the Visual Arts courses, clearly unviable for any training provider,” she said.

“Students who gain the Certificate IV Applied Fashion develop skills that can lead to a

job or self-employment.

“Although the student numbers have not been strong, TasTAFE is investing in both the Certificate IV Applied Fashion and Certificate IV Visual Arts by revitalising their assessment and delivery so that they are available to as many students in Tasmania as possible.”