The closure of the Epping campus of an accredited training college will put four staff out of work and force 40 students to take classes elsewhere.
Training giant Evocca College announced last month it would close more than a third of its campuses around Australia, including its High Street campus at Epping, and sack more than 200 staff. Staff were told 220 jobs out of 770 would go and 17 campuses would close, affecting about 900 students.
Evocca College spokeswoman Suzanne Ross said the 40 students enrolled at Epping would be directed to Melbourne or Broadmeadows campuses.
“We are working hard to ensure all students affected are transitioned smoothly to their new study environment, and that there is minimal disruption to their studies as they progress through their courses,” she said.
Ms Ross said the four staff made redundant were being supported “as best we can”.
They have been offered an employment assistance program and outplacement services.
The college announced its restructure in response to a federal government crackdown on rorting of its VET-FEE-HELP loans.
Evocca College chief executive Craig White told staff the organisation would be consolidating its operations “to ensure it continues to deliver high-quality and innovative education for its students”.
“We have regretfully advised staff that we are closing and merging 17 of our smaller physical campuses, and consolidating our distance and head office operations in Queensland,” he said.
Affected students have also been given the option to study online via a distance learning model. Campuses to close are in Bankstown, Blacktown, Browns Plains, Campbelltown, Epping, Glenorchy, Gosford, Melton, Morayfield, Penrith, Preston, Ringwood, Seven Hills, Southport, Sunshine, Werribee and Woodridge.
The Epping campus opened in 2014.
The campus’s closure closely follows the collapse of private training colleges owned by Global Intellectual Holdings, including Aspire College and Keystone College at Broadmeadows.
Global Intellectual Holdings was placed into voluntary administration in February, leaving at least 5200 students stranded.
