Representatives from UOW and TAFE NSW Illawarra Institute met recently to network and exchange information on new developments, pathway programs, credit transfer, admissions and recruitment events.

University officials presented information about course options, credit transfers and the application process while TAFE presented on student demographic and trends, course levels, equity groups and online learning.

TAFE Illawarra Institute is the leading provider of vocational education and training in the region, enrolling about 34,000 students a year and comprising 14 campuses from Wollongong in the north, down the South Coast and across to Bega and the Southern Highlands.

Staff attending the event were from the Wollongong and Shellharbour campuses.

TAFE students are a significant pathway for domestic enrolments into UOW. When TAFE-qualification based enrolments are counted by both advanced standing grants (prior and subsequent to commencement) and basis of entry, TAFE accounts for up to 13 per cent of domestic undergraduate enrolments.

TAFE Illawarra institute has joint programs with Commerce and Digital Media and advanced standing partnerships with eight UOW faculties.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed in August 2011 between UOW and TAFE.

Among those attending the partnership event held at UOW’s SMART Infrastructure Facility were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) Professor Eeva Leinonen; the Relieving Associate Director of Strategy and Development TAFE NSW Illawarra Institute, Mr John Boss; the Manager, UOW Regional Campuses, Anne Snowball; the Acting Director of Student Recruitment, Peter Day; and the Relieving Manager of Educational Strategy at TAFE NSW Illawarra Institute, Joy Sharpe.