5/2/02
Waiting in a long line to enrol at Challenger TAFE is now a thing of the past.
In a first for Western Australia, Challenger TAFE is piloting a new enrolment system that is set to significantly enhance customer service at WA TAFE colleges.
Training Minister John Kobelke said the trial of phone and online enrolments would save new and re-enrolling students time and give them the flexibility of enrolment choices.
Improvements were also recently made to other areas of the system, allowing students to apply online for courses and log onto the TAFE website to view their course offers.
Since Saturday, January 12, more than 17,000 Western Australians who applied to study full-time at TAFE were able to find out the results of their applications via the TAFE website at http://www.tafe.wa.gov.au
Mr Kobelke said the pilot enrolment system was launched the same day, allowing those offered positions at Challenger TAFE to enrol immediately.
Parmelia student Shanan Kinniburgh (16) made history by being the first person to enrol online to study full-time at TAFE via his home computer. Shanan described the new system as convenient because it enabled him to sit at home on the computer and enrol over the weekend. He said the enrolment went smoothly and was very easy to use.
Mr Kobelke said that while Challenger students could now enrol by phone or via the Internet, those without access to the web still had the option of attending a campus to enrol.
"This trial allows students to avoid joining the queues that sometimes develop during peak enrolment periods," he said.
"It makes enrolment quicker and smoother for those who work or manage a household while studying at TAFE.
"Surveys conducted during earlier trials of the system showed that students were considerably more satisfied with the new enrolment process compared with the traditional method."
Mr Kobelke said the new online service also enabled Challenger students to plan their studies in advance and to calculate their fees before enrolment.
Challenger TAFE, WestOne Services, TAFE Admissions and other branches of the Department of Training developed the enrolment system jointly. The system will be made available to other WA TAFE colleges.
"This project is a great example of the TAFE network joining forces to develop products and services for the benefit of the entire network," Mr Kobelke said.
Enrolments can be made on http://www.challengertafe.wa.edu.au or by telephoning 1300 553 444.
Challenger TAFE has 25,000 students at 17 campuses and centres in the south metropolitan region from Fremantle to Peel, inland to Murdoch, and beyond the metropolitan region into the South-West.
Minister's office: 9222 9211
