ONLY 137 students have taken up FEE-FREE scholarships at TAFE Western, which saw student enrolments drop by 4000 after the NSW government increased course fees and changed the rules around course subsidies.
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Fairfax Media reported more than 5000 of the scholarships had been awarded statewide, following their introduction on July 1, 2015.
The scholarships were introduced by the state government under its reforms to vocational education, after the NSW budget revealed 30,000 fewer TAFE students had enrolled this year.
"Fee-Free Scholarships provide a great opportunity for people in Western NSW to access our course offerings at TAFE Western," TAFE Western Institute director Kate Baxter told the Daily Liberal.
"Our institute has a proud record of helping 137 people through this program since it was introduced on July 1, 2015."
It came as TAFE Western conducted a review into the sustainability of its teaching workforce, with a proposal to cut 24 teaching positions currently on the table.
NSW skills minister John Barilaro said reforms were all about making TAFE NSW more sustainable and competitive.
"TAFE NSW is focused on improving its services to students and industry. Changes are being made to ensure it is able to operate efficiently and remain competitive in the VET environment," Mr Barilaro said.
"TAFE NSW institutes and corporate units regularly assess their functions and operations to ensure the needs of students and local industry are met.
"These assessments are being driven by local circumstances and involve engagement with relevant staff and stakeholders."
