TAFE courses on line for the first time

28/07/00
People wanting to study full-time at TAFE next year will have access to information about courses at every Western Australian College via the Internet and the TAFE Handbook from August 1.
Employment and Training Minister Mike Board said today that information on 443 courses would be available on the TAFE website at the same time as the 2001 TAFE Handbook was released, giving people the best possible access to TAFE full-time courses.
"The handbook will be sent free of charge to 20,000 Year 12 students and a further 16,000 copies will be available for sale for $8.25 in newsagencies, supermarkets and TAFE Colleges," Mr Board said.
"More arts and computing courses are responsible for this year's larger handbook, which is the State's biggest printing job.
"The 440-page book details every full-time course at every college in the State, including selection criteria and entry requirements, as well as future study options and career possibilities."
Mr Board said Western Australian students wanting to study at TAFE were the first in Australia to use the Internet this year to apply for admission.
The website, http://www.tafe.wa.gov.au, was launched on May 6 and allows people wishing to study full-time in the second semester to register on line.
"It was a very successful pilot and as a result applications can now be lodged via the web for all 2001 full-time courses,"
Mr Board said.
"Applications for full-time study close on September 29, so students have plenty of time to consider the numerous study options available to them."
Mr Board said that the diversity of TAFE courses provided endless exciting opportunities for young people about to leave school.
"The courses are structured to industry and student needs to meet not only the traditional skills, but also the emerging technology-based competencies of the new millennium, which will ensure the continuing growth of the State's economy, "
Mr Board said.
"Frequent monitoring of students' and graduates' responses to their training courses have enabled TAFE to maintain its position as Western Australia's preferred provider of tertiary studies."
Mr Board said that a census of TAFE students conducted last year showed a very high satisfaction level.
"The results of the survey by the Department of Training and Employment showed that 83 per cent of TAFE students said they were very satisfied or satisfied with their course, and 91 per cent were willing to recommend the course," the Minister said.
Media contact: Tamatha Smith, pager 9480 9743