Over the past 10 weeks, about 240 students have moved to a digital or remote learning channel.
“As an essential service, Bendigo TAFE has continued to operate and teach during the pandemic, just in a different way,” chief executive Sally Curtain said.
“We are very appreciative of our dedicated educators and students who have responded and adapted so positively to the new teaching and learning environment.”
Where some students struggled with lack of access to devices and internet connection at home, Bendigo TAFE closed the gap by supplying laptops and internet dongles so students could continue their studies from home, Ms Curtain said.“We have everyone’s health and safety at heart and take guidance from the government as we reintroduce our students and staff to campus in a staggered, methodical way,” she said.“This means theory being completed through online classes and practical assessments on campus in smaller numbers, with strict social distancing measures and personal protective equipment as required.”Bendigo TAFE will continue to take enrolments across the 14 courses offered at the Echuca campus.
“This includes four free TAFE courses in areas like commercial cookery, building and construction, and early childhood education and care, which lead to occupations in demand from Victorian employers,” Ms Curtain said.
“As the Victorian Government has recently highlighted, TAFE is a key part of the vocational education sector with a critical role to play in the post-pandemic world to build skills and ensure students become job-ready.”
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