As the University of South Australia and University of Adelaide progress steadily towards merging formally in January next year, two Victorian TAFEs have decided to follow suit.
Wodonga TAFE and GOTAFE serve adjoining areas of northern Victoria between Shepparton and Wodonga, and have decided to join forces.
Phil Paterson, who is CEO of Wodonga TAFE and has taken on a new role as Acting CEO of GOTAFE said the Boards of each institution saw significant advantages in the merger.
“Wodonga TAFE and GOTAFE have a strong history of collaboration, including a joint CEO arrangement, and have now agreed to enter a planning phase with the intent to voluntarily merge,” Mr Paterson said.
“Strong guardrails have been agreed unanimously by both Boards, including brand retention, no forced redundancies as a direct result of the merger and no campus closures.”
“This is a board-led decision aimed at strengthening regional education delivery, deepening industry connections, and improving access to training across northern, central and north-eastern Victoria.”
The two TAFEs are setting about engaging with communities and stakeholders as they progress towards the merger.
Given the historic under-investment in the VET sector and the Albanese Government’s clear commitment to focus VET renewal around TAFEs, the potential to be unlocked from merger of two relatively small institutions appears to be high, given the Accord’s plan to more than double enrolments in post-school education over the next quarter of a century.
