By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS
CHISHOLM Institute is predicting 1500 less students and soaring course fees next year, according to a leaked state cabinet report.
The report, which outlines transition plans from each of the state’s TAFEs in the wake of a $290 million funding cut, predicts its total tuition fees will soar by 70 per cent.
Course fees had yet to be finalised according to the document and have yet to be announced by the TAFE.
Last week chief executive Maria Peters said it was too early to forecast next year’s enrolments after announcing 220 jobs — mostly teaching staff — and 27 courses to go by the end of the year.
Chisholm’s funding had been reduced by $30 million between next year and last November, she said.
According to the report, the institute will seek $10.7 million from the state government as it faces a forecast operating deficit of $2.5 million next year.
The report also states:
– Plans to buy and refurbish a five-storey building in Dandenong for $13.5 million. The building will be used by Chisholm and its university partners, and depends wholly on state funding.
– Chisholm’s Dandenong campus library could be converted into a ‘‘student learning hub’’ with more ‘IT capacity’ and a student service centre.
– The institute will axe 251 full-time equivalent positions, including 179 redundancies in 2012 and 2013. The others included casual staff and redundancies early this year.
– Forecast growth in courses such as community services, health, construction trades and telecommunications. Cuts to business services, culture, recreation and retail sectors.
