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Minister asked to meet with students left in lurch after TBM Training closureThe Minister for Training and Skills, Steve Herbert was called to meet the students from Latrobe Valley affected by the sudden closure of TBM Training. Learn more... By news@gippsland - 9th September 2016 - Back to News Member for Eastern Victoria Region Melina Bath has called on the Minister for Training and Skills, Steve Herbert, to meet with students from the Latrobe Valley affected by the sudden closure of TBM Training.
"It is imperative that the minister hear first-hand the plight of these students and find agreeable solutions to their multifaceted and unresolved issues," Ms Bath told the parliament.
"My lower house colleague Russell Northe has been very vocal in regard to this Labor government’s lack of care for these students who have been left in the lurch and are still scrambling to find places to continue their training."
Ms Bath outlined to the parliament some of the issues former students were facing such as Lisa Hunter, a single mother who undertook a diploma in Early Learning in 2015 through TBM Training.
"As her training facilitator failed to upload any of Ms Hunter's assessments or learning outcomes, her successful completion of the 12-month qualification remains unrecognised and her 180 hours of placement also remain unrecognised," Ms Bath said.
Ms Bath spoke about three other students who were enrolled in a course in aged care and who had contacted the government's preferred training facility regarding a transfer to complete their qualifications.
"All the students were advised that their current workbooks and assignments would not attribute any course credits. In addition, the students were advised that they would each need to pay $7000 to fund the cost of their new course," Ms Bath said.
"This is a frustratingly disappointing prospect for these people considering the Minister had previously intimated fees would be waived and completed learnings would be recognised"
Member for Morwell Russell Northe said he had also raised the issue in parliament and written to the responsible Minister on many occasions, but requests for real assistance has fallen on deaf ears.
"I have spoken with many of the former students of these failed providers and they are feeling completely frustrated and forgotten," Mr Northe said.
"Despite the Ministers rhetoric of finding solutions to which he clearly has not, he should explain to these students in person why they continue to be out of pocket and have not had previous training recognised."
Media Contact: Renee Switzer 5174 7066
Member for Eastern Victoria Region Melina Bath
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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