There's more pain in store for those living in bushfire affected South Coast communities.
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This time TAFE students hoping to start their 2020 courses have had some of their classes cancelled.
NSW Teachers Federation South Coast TAFE organiser Rob Long said budget cuts to TAFE teaching delivery was now resulting in students in Bega, Moruya and Ulladulla not being able to start their classes.
Mr Long pointed to a directive sent by TAFE NSW regional general manager Jonathon Davis on January 9 of this year to senior managers and teachers.
The 'Management of Region South Budgets' directive stated that 'only those classes that have minimum numbers are allowed to commence'.
Child studies, small business and hospitality are some of the courses impacted.
But Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee said TAFE NSW had actually introduced some new courses.
Mr Long though was disappointed no consideration had been given to these bushfire effected towns.
He dropped by Teachers Federation House in Wollongong on Tuesday to discuss members' concerns, with the South Coast Labour Council.
It follows a statewide meeting of TAFE teachers in Sydney on February 14, where NSWTF members called on Mr Lee to provide extra urgent support for these TAFE students impacted.
Our members have been saying to us the enrolments have never been this low and it's obviously directly related to the dreadful summer that people have had.
- NSWTF organiser Rob Long
"Our members have been saying to us the enrolments have never been this low and it's obviously directly related to the dreadful summer that people have had," Mr Long said.
"Some students are not ready to come to class but that is no reason to disadvantage the students who are ready and we need funding to start with lower class sizes, we need it now, we need it this week."
His view was backed by South Coast Labour Council secretary Arthur Rorris.
"Historically after all the major downturns and other disasters, it's been TAFE that has done the heavy lifting," he said.
"This time around we are not seeing the same commitment. In fact we are seeing classes closed in the South Coast.
"That is obscene in our view and the government needs to reverse this as soon as possible."
Mr Lee said the union claims were misleading.
"TAFE NSW is absolutely committed to supporting bushfire affected communities get back on their feet and will run courses below the usually required enrolment numbers in Semester 1 2020," he said.
"The number of course offerings are in line with previous years, and continue to evolve to changes in student employer and industry needs.
"Indeed, TAFE NSW has introduced new courses such as a Cert III in Fitness and Cert IV in Construction at Ulladulla, a Cert IV in Plumbing at Moruya, and a Cert III in Bricklaying/Blocklaying at Bega among many others to meet local skills demands, many for the very first time.
"TAFE NSW will ensure the continuity of employment for all employees in bushfire affected regions."
Mr Rorris said as the bushfires were devastating for communities, he wanted the government to put a moratorium on all fees taken from students for the foreseeable future.
"TAFE needs to be free down there on the South Coast to encourage those kids back. They've got enough on their minds. They've lost houses, many have lost family members," he said.
"Now is not the time to be thinking about recouping money and fees. TAFE is and should be the leading agency of training and skilling those kids.
"We think this actually provides an opportunity for the state government to play a significant role in the rebuilding effort."
Mr Rorris, who attended a community meeting in Lake Conjola on Monday night, said the state government had been doing a better job then the federal government at trying to help those effected by the bushfires.
"There were about 150 people at the meeting. When I asked them who had actually applied for relief allowance that the government had offered, only two hands went up," he said.
The government needs to get a grip here. This is one of the biggest natural disasters this country has ever seen.
- South Coast Labour Council secretary Arthur Rorris
"The government needs to do more than just sit back and wait for people to come in and apply.
"When you get trauma in such a large scale as we've seen on the South Coast you have to do more.
"The government needs to get a grip here. This is one of the biggest natural disasters this country has ever seen.
"It is not good enough to say well we are going to make $2 billion available and yet sit back and say well people we can't do much more than that.
"We need to get into those communities and understand what they are going through and do not expect them to come to you, you need to go to them."
Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
