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UPDATE 10PM: A Bendigo TAFE staff member, who wants to remain anonymous, has told the Bendigo Advertiser that she is ambivalent about the merger.
"We've had so many changes already - this is just another one," she said.
"We've been waiting to see how it will affect us. There have been so many staff cuts so I can't be confident there won't be more but I am hoping for long-term benefits."
UPDATE 7PM: JACINTA Allan and Maree Edwards say Premier Denis Napthine must reject the merger.
Bendigo TAFE and the Kangan Institute are now seeking the Victorian government's approval for the proposed merger.
Ms Edwards said she was concerned about what changes the merger would bring about.
"The reason we've been concerned about this is because the majority of discussions have been held behind closed doors," she said.
"Both of these TAFEs have suffered significant cuts, both of these TAFEs have shed jobs.
"All of the discussions that have been had about this merger need to be put on the table and made public."
EARLIER: BENDIGO TAFE and the Kangan Institute announced today that they are merging.
Bendigo TAFE board chairwoman Margaret O'Rourke said the merger would strengthen the delivery of education and training in Victoria.
"The merger would lead to a revitilisation and growth of the region's training sector, with long-term and far-reaching benefits for individuals, industry and the wider community," she said.
"The new institute would include a focus on its three centres of training excellence - in automotive, fashion and design and health.
"It would also expand the youth engagement strategy presently offered by Kangan."
A statement put out by the TAFE said Bendigo studnets would have access to an additional 55 courses presently offered by Kangan.
The statement also said that a new Centre of Excellence in Health and Human Services would be developed at the McCrae Street campus.
