Sustainable Industries Education Centre frequently asked questions
When will the new Centre open?
The Sustainable Industries Education Centre (SIEC) at Tonsley Park is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2013.
It is expected to begin taking students from the first semester in 2014.
How much will it cost to build?
The cost of building and equipping the SIEC is $105 million.
Will this mean more courses and more students for TAFE SA?
Yes. SIEC will play a key role in delivering on the State Government’s Jobs Strategy. It is expected that the current 6000 students in TAFE SA building and construction programs such as civil construction and engineering, carpentry and joinery, bricklaying, plumbing and electrical will grow to more than 8000, including University and other Registered Training Providers’ students.
Is there any plan to build similar training hubs in other areas of metropolitan Adelaide?
Yes. SIEC will be the flagship development in TAFE SA’s wider infrastructure network and an important economic driver for the southern suburbs. As training needs evolve, TAFE SA’s campuses will be progressively upgraded, redeveloped or built according to the needs of specific industries or communities.
What types of training hubs will there be?
There will be training hubs to cover:
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Arts
- Business
- Building and Construction
- Creative Industries
- Dental
- Engineering and Manufacturing
- English Language Services
- Environment and Horticulture
- Hospitality
- Veterinary and Science
For more information about the training hubs, visit the TAFE SA website
Will any courses or programs be discontinued as a result of the new facility?
No. The new Centre will allow TAFE SA to increase its existing building and construction course numbers by at least 16 per cent, with new training offered in renewable energy and water operations.
Will the new Centre mean that some campuses will close?
Yes. This new Centre will replace outdated campuses at Marleston, O’Halloran Hill and Panorama. However, no campus will close until SIEC is fully developed and open. SIEC is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2013 and is expected to begin taking students from the first semester in 2014.
Will any regional services be lost?
No. TAFE SA Regional Institute will focus on increasing partnerships with schools, community groups and industry in its commitment to take training to local people and businesses. High speed broadband and e-learning capability will create a virtual learning environment that encourages collaboration and enables learning across regional South Australia.
Will any jobs be lost through consolidation of programs?
There will be efficiencies associated with the consolidation of delivery in the metropolitan area. As the impacts are some years away, we will manage these staff reductions through workforce planning and natural attrition and will continue to follow the Government’s policy regarding redeployed staff. However, TAFE SA is expecting to increase the amount of educational delivery from the site and so may in fact need to increase lecturing staff.
How will this affect students who rely on public transport and are currently studying in different areas of Adelaide?
SIEC will be positioned on a major public transport route, which will be strengthened over the coming years with the development of the light rail interconnections between the north and south of metropolitan Adelaide.
No programs will move to the new Centre before the end of 2013, when the vast majority of current students will have already completed their studies. Current students are already travelling from all parts of metropolitan Adelaide to study specialist qualifications.
What will happen to TAFE SA childcare centres?
Prior to any closure of TAFE SA childcare centres, parents who will be affected will be notified of appropriate alternatives.