Polytechnic West - student admissions
618. Hon ALISON XAMON to the Minister for Training and Workforce Development:
I refer to the delivery of the certificate in general education for adults delivered at Polytechnic West.
(1) Why have lecturers at Polytechnic West been advised to stop admitting students to this essential entrylevel course?
(2) How many students are on the waiting list?
(3) Given the commitment in the recent budget to “overcoming barriers to education”, what will the government do to immediately rectify the situation and grant these students access to this essential entry-level qualification?
Hon PETER COLLIER replied:
I thank the member for some notice of this question.
(1) Anticipated enrolments for term 4 in all language, literacy and numeracy programs exceeded the available training places in 2010. Polytechnic West has instructed staff to operate a waiting list for people who wish to enrol in the certificates in general education for adults and other entry-level courses. Polytechnic West has advised that all potential language, literacy and numeracy students will then be placed according to the waiting list, with everyone eventually receiving a place.
(2) Polytechnic West has advised that it is normal practice to waitlist students when training places are not immediately available. There are currently 94 students on the waiting list for the certificates in general education for adults.
(3) In 2010 the government anticipates funding approximately 12 000 places for literacy and numeracy courses, including the certificate in general education for adults. This represents approximately eight per cent of all publicly funded enrolments in 2010. The national partnership for productivity places program specifically excludes foundation programs at certificate 1 level, including the certificate in general education for adults, which has constrained the state’s capacity to meet the current demand for this type of training. To address this, the state government has provided $5.7 million through the economic stimulus package in the 2009–10 budget for additional certificate 1 courses, including the certificate in general education for adults. In addition, the government will continue to advocate for changes to the specifications of the national partnership for productivity places program to allow greater flexibility to meet the demand for foundation level courses such as the certificate in general education for adults.