FEES will double and teaching jobs lost under radical new plans to keep Holmesglen TAFE operating amid deep funding cuts.
Leaked cabinet documents have revealed the extent of the cuts aimed at reducing costs.
Holmesglen will make 65 full-time teaching jobs redundant this year. About 21 jobs have already been cut and the rest will go by the end of the year.
A further 25 contract and sessional teachers are expected be left out in the cold as will 24 administrative and support staff.
Several popular courses also face the chopping block.
The TAFE provider intends to cut courses in advertising, professional writing, ceramics and legal practice while fees will be raised on courses like hospitality and business.
The Victorian Certificate of Education will also no longer be offered.
In an effort to rein in costs, the Ballieu government earlier this year slashed $300 million in funding to TAFEs.
Victorian branch secretary of the Australian Education Union, Mary Bluett, slammed the state government for ‘‘the devastation it has caused at TAFE institutes across Victoria’’.
‘‘The Victorian public understands that the Baillieu Government’s budget cuts are not in the interests of young people, the community, TAFE institutes or the Victorian economy,’’ Ms Bluett said.
‘‘The Baillieu Government must be accountable to the Victorian public TAFE’s 365,000 students who as a result of their decisions, will now have limited educational opportunities, with many expected to drop out altogether as a result of significant fee increases.’’
National Tertiary Education Union secretary Colin Long accused the state government of ‘‘abandoning’’ young people.
“With these further cuts, campus closures and sell-offs, tens of thousands of young people now have their lifeline to skills, jobs and better futures abruptly severed,’’ Dr Long said.
But despite its move to cut costs, Holmesglen has already expressed interested in buying out its ownership from the state government.
It’s also show interest in buying Swinburne University’s Prahran campus.
Holmesglen TAFE and the state government have been contacted for comment.