CDU TAFE enrolments on the rise

Enrolment numbers are on the rise for Charles Darwin University (CDU) TAFE. 

Student enrolment numbers have already surpassed last year’s total to date by almost 14 per cent.

There has been a significant increase in First Nations students’ enrolments, with the cohort making up almost 24 per cent of current CDU TAFE enrolments.  

First Nations students’ numbers completely surpass the national average of 6 percent across the vocational education and training sector (Closing the Gap targets). 

CDU Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive TAFE Michael Hamilton attributes CDU TAFE success to the tailored approach of the teams on the ground and offering skills that are in demand across the Northern Territory. 

“CDU TAFE has teams across the NT that work directly with the local communities and offer tailored courses and approaches to ensure a skilled workforce based on current needs,” Mr Hamilton said. 

“This achievement is a whole of University success story and a combination of the student supports services that are offered, the delivery of training programs aligned with local community priorities and a strong push for regional and remote training.” 

The regional and remote training delivered by CDU TAFE has had significant growth. The Katherine Rural campus enrolments are up by 50 per cent year to date and in in East Arnhem Region enrolments have surpassed last year’s total. 

CDU Associate Vice-Chancellor Alice Doyle said that the student numbers at the Mathaman Campus in Nhulunbuy continue to grow and emphasise the impact of the new learning spaces and providing training based on community needs. 

“Being able to teach cohorts from across the region locally ensures the students are supported with a space that is safe and within their home region, lessening the cost of travel and impact on responsibilities at home,” Mrs Doyle said. 

“Our lecturers travel here to be on the ground delivering high-quality programs that are responsive to the needs of the community and are offered in safe learning environments.”  

An area of significant growth in the region is across Environmental Studies. 

AS CDU TAFE continues to grow its main focus will be working with communities and expanding its reach across regional and remote areas, this work has already begun with the recently announced CDU TAFE and Batchelor Institute’s TAFE Centre of Excellence Regional and Remote Essential Care, and a new Trades Skills Centre at the CDU Katherine Rural Campus.