Minister of Education to open the Kangan Batman TAFE Malcolm Creek Flexible Learning Centre
10 July 2003
On Thursday 17 July, the Minister for Education and Training, The Hon. Lynne Kosky, MP will officially open the Craigieburn Primary School and Kangan Batman TAFE’s Flexible Learning Centre, which share the Malcolm Creek Learning Centre in Craigieburn.
The Malcolm Creek Flexible Learning Centre was established by Kangan Batman TAFE, Hume City Council and Delfin Lend Lease with funding from the Victorian Government. Kangan Batman TAFE supported further development of the Malcolm Creek Flexible Learning Centre (MCFLC) through the Victorian Government’s Victorian Flexible Learning Network initiative. The MCFLC aims to bring training programs to the high-growth, satellite townships in the northern reaches of Hume city.
The Malcolm Creek Flexible Learning Centre (MCFLC) is part of the Malcolm Creek Flexible Learning Network, one of several Flexible Learning Networks in Victoria. Flexible Learning Networks are cooperatives of education providers working together to provide TAFE and ACE (Adult Community Education) programs that are accessible via the Internet.
The Malcolm Creek Flexible Learning Network is a collaborative network of local community education centres in the City of Hume, who are delivering nationally recognised TAFE qualifications via the Internet. The Malcolm Creek Flexible Learning Network also supports the City of Hume’s Global Learning Village initiative.
The Malcolm Creek Flexible Learning Centre opened its doors in March and at the moment is providing a Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) program to 15 students. The centre is awaiting a microwave link which will enable the centre to provide accessible and connected vocational education options for the residents of Hume and neighbouring communities, enhancing the growth of a cooperative learning community.
The networks provide an excellent option for students wishing to study at their own pace and in their own time. Flexible Learning Networks receive support funding from the Victorian Government.
“Our aim is to create Victoria’s premier online learning network at the Kangan Batman TAFE Malcolm Creek Flexible Learning Centre. This centre will offer young people and adults the opportunity to study in a pleasant and technology-rich environment,” explains John Parish, Kangan Batman TAFE Director.
“The centre will be customer focused, enabling students to enrol in an individual study program any time throughout the year, and to manage their own learning program and progress at their own pace. Students will be able to study part-time or full-time depending on their home or work commitments. They will be able to access teachers, computers, the Internet and library resources at one location,” Mr Parish said.
A multi-skilled team of people will be available to support all students undertaking studies flexibly. The team is made up of highly skilled and dedicated individuals from across Kangan Batman TAFE.
The centre at Malcolm Creek comprises around 30 computer terminals. Every PC will have current state-of-the-art multimedia technology.
The Malcolm Creek Flexible Learning Network consists of a central ‘hub’ and a group of partners. The ‘hub’ which will be based at the Malcolm Creek Flexible Learning Centre will provide improved access to vocational education and training by making online TAFE modules available to the residents of the City of Hume and surrounding areas through networked computers located at local learning access points.
These access points are presently located with the five partners listed below, the three Flexible Learning Centres at Kangan Batman TAFE’s Essendon, Moreland and Broadmeadows campuses, and several libraries. The partners consist of:
- The Broadmeadows Further Education and Community Development Association.
- The Craigieburn Education and Community Centre
- The Macedon Ranges Further Education Centre
- The Homestead Community Centre.
- The Wingate Avenue Community Centre
Details of the Opening Ceremony:
- When:
- Thursday, 17 July from 10.00am to 11.00am
- Where:
- Malcolm Creek Learning Centre
Grand Boulevard and Hanson Road, Craigieburn
(Melway ref: Map 387 A5)
