VICTORIA'S only TAFE-based government-subsidised boatbuilding course, run by Victoria University at Newport, is about to go under.
And despite receiving a $3.4million government grant to move its boatbuilding campus to Williamstown, VU's relocation plans have also been scuttled.
Boatbuilding teacher Bill Pride was gutted by the news.
"I've got no time for bureaucrats who don't understand what's happening in the world," said Mr Pride (pictured in the boatbuilding shed in Newport).
"It's the oldest skill in the world. It goes back to the pharaohs who would build boats out of papyrus reeds."
Student John Marks said sinking the state's only boatbuilding course was wrong.
"We destroy part of our history and part of the tapestry of the seas and our trades. I think it's a very unfortunate thing because it represents probably the only chance for anybody in Melbourne to build a traditional wooden boat.
"We shouldn't dismantle valuable resources like that because some accountant has made a decision about its viability or because of some arbitrary decision in the government."
State Williamstown MP Wade Noonan said Victoria was about to lose a whole generation of trade-qualified boatbuilders.
Calling on Higher Education and Skills Minister Peter Hall to intervene, Mr Noonan said about 40 apprentices would be unable to complete their marine craft construction certificates, while two teachers and 14 part-time night students would also be directly affected.
"Now, I'm sure the Baillieu government will argue that this is a matter for Victoria University, but I'd remind them of their active support for the Victorian College of the Arts, both in opposition and in government," Mr Noonan said.
"The question for the Baillieu government now is whether they will support teachers and students doing a blue-collar course in Melbourne's west."
James Martin, a spokesman for Mr Hall, said the decision was made by VU on the basis of declining enrolments. "TAFE institutes in Victoria are independent statutory authorities and are responsible for making their own decisions in relation to courses and employment matters."
VU's technical and trades innovation executive dean, Coralie Morrissey, said apprenticeship enrolments had declined and training targets had not been achieved, resulting in an operating loss.
"Victoria University will support the 34 apprentices currently enrolled in the boatbuilding course to complete their qualification.
"However, with only nine first-year commencements scheduled for 2012, it will not be possible for us to take new enrolments.
"The boatbuilding industry was hit by the global financial crisis and this appears to have affected its capacity to grow its workforce. The fee-for-service short courses undertaken by local boating enthusiasts do not sufficiently subsidise the costs of delivering apprenticeship training."
Email a friend