Late last year, we reported on the plight of Robinson College following a significant loss of funding for the organisation, but now some good news as the College joins with a fellow Community College in Tamworth to allow the delivery of a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.
For teachers working in an industry, obtaining this Certificate IV allows them to teach others within that industry in an educational setting.
The course is required for all vocational educators, and must be renewed regularly in line with the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA), which regulates the vocation education industry.
With Robinson College offering the qualification in-house, it helps secure community and adult education in Broken Hill.
Without a new influx of trainers and assessors, Robinson College would have had a bleak future.
Ellen Gillespie, CEO of the College, told the Truth, “after months of lobbying to the state government for funding, State Training Services approved Tamworth Community College to deliver funded trainer assessor training in Broken Hill at Robinson Community College, moving the original jurisdiction from New England to Far West NSW.”
Robinson College’s Training Manager, Lisa Ruse, has enrolled in the course in order to deliver Certificate II and III in business, administration, IT, basic computers, plus leadership and management courses in the future.
The College’s Outreach Support Officer, Tracy Peduto, has also enrolled in the course with a view to deliver work skills and foundation skills to learners who may have learning difficulties.
“Tracy also supports our learners prior to their enrolment in any one of the many courses Robinson Community College delivers,” Ms Gillespie said.
The course, which began last week, will run for about five months. After that, the College will host a graduation ceremony, “to celebrate the College, the community, our aspiring new trainers and assessors and students,” Ms Gillespie said.
“This new influx of trainers are industry experts in their field. They have been handpicked to suit the scope of registration at Robinson Community College in hospitality, heavy machinery and mining, health and nursing, administration, business skills, and skills for work. This means work will be available to them once they have graduated,” she says.
While this course has begun, expressions of interest for other courses offered by the College can be made by contacting administration on 8087 6022.
