COVID-19 Student Update

Monday, September 27, 2021 / Coronavirus Student Updates

I am sure most of you will be aware of the list of local exposure sites announced over the last few days as a result of a COVID positive visitor from regional Victoria.

While this has not immediately impacted SWTAFE, it is again a reminder of the reality that COVID is now part of our everyday lives and that we need to have stability in business and life as we continue to adjust to our world of ‘COVID normal’. Should there be changes to our operations as a result of the current local incident we will inform you.

We can take comfort in the fact that we have come a long way since the pandemic began, and we now have high vaccination rates in Victoria (and particularly in our region) and therefore the risk to the vaccinated population is dramatically less than it was when the pandemic began.

What to do if you have been to an exposure site

Any students who have been to an exposure site should follow the Department of Health message of:

TIER 1 Site exposure:

Get tested and isolate immediately
Quarantine for 14 days

TIER 2 Site exposure:

Get tested immediately
Isolate until negative test received

It is important that if you have visited a public exposure site (or are identified as a close contact) and visited one of our campuses that you notify your teacher.

What this means for SWTAFE students

It’s business as usual - we continue to operate as previously directed by the Victorian Government under current regional restrictions.

TAFEs remain closed and the bulk of courses will continue as remote learning, unless identified as permitted study.

The only authorised classes that are currently permitted on-site for this week are:

Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician
Certificate II in Automotive
Certificate II in Building and Construction Pre-apprenticeship
Certificate III in Carpentry
Certificate III in Commercial Cookery
Diploma of Community Services
Diploma of Nursing
Certificate II in Community Services (Colac)
Certificate IV in Education Support
Elevated Work Platforms (EWP – Portland)
Operate and Maintain Chainsaws (Hamilton)
Enterprise Trainer - Presenting skill set

While campuses will be closed, our Customer Service teams will still be available via 1300 648 911 or learn@swtafe.edu.au or via chat on our website swtafe.edu.au.

Our wellbeing team will also be available via studentsupport@swtafe.edu.au

We’ll keep you updated

Once again, should there be changes to our operations as a result of the current local incident we will inform you. In the meantime, it is business as usual.

Have a good week.

Best regards,
Mark Fidge
CEO