TAFE NSW Sydney Institute Turns 120
Celebrating its 120 year anniversary, TAFE NSW – Sydney Institute has long been at the forefront of vocational education and training in Australia.
“When the doors first opened in 1891, no-one could have foreseen how important Sydney Institute would be in delivering vocational education to students, both here in Sydney and now around the world,” Institute Director, David Riordan said.
“Past students include Charles Kingsford Smith, Ita Buttrose, Ted Noffs, Eva Cox, Hamish Ta-mé, Angelo Loukakis, Alex Perry, Bill Mansell, Jennene Plummer, Alan Asher and Margot Wilson.
“Over the last 120 years the Institute has continually reinvented itself to keep up with ever changing technology and skill demands. From meeting the needs of its original 3,500 students to today’s 76,000 annual enrolments, it has been fundamentally involved in changing hundreds of thousands of lives.
“That we continue to grow is a testament to our relevance in the 21st century and TAFE’s role as the engine room for the productivity agenda. Future challenges include meeting the skill needs of both the Australian and global economies, introducing new green technologies and sustainability training and providing innovative, flexible workforce training solutions.
“We are also expanding our links with universities and from March, for the first time, will be offering a Bachelor of Design (Interior) with more degrees planned for the future.
“At Sydney Institute we are passionate about skilling people of all ages, from all backgrounds. We want to change lives.” Mr Riordan said.
Celebrating 120 years of excellence is a tribute to the success of the staff and students of Sydney Institute and a timely reminder that a TAFE education is more than you imagine.
Sydney Institute will officially launch its anniversary celebration on Tuesday 1st March. A series of events and exhibitions recognising the work of past staff, graduates, current students and the history of vocational education will run throughout 2011.
