About 40 people attended a TAFE4All community forum to voice concerns over funding, teacher job security and student numbers.

The discussion was one in a series of 10 being hosted by the AEU across Victoria this month to raise awareness about changes to the TAFE system.

Union vice-president for TAFE and adult provision Greg Barclay said the forum was part of a broader plan to raise awareness about the devastating cuts to TAFE sand their impact on communities like Bendigo.

The union has accused the Napthine government of cutting more than $1.2 billion and nearly 3000 jobs from the TAFE system in the past four years.

Mr Barclay said the forum delivered an overview of the wider state TAFE4All campaign before delving into Bendigo specific issues.

“There was some talk about the number of jobs losses Bendigo TAFE has incurred since 2012,”Mr Barclay said.

“We also heard about people’s concerns with the merger with Kangan Institute.

“We estimate about 3000 teachers have lost work because of the Napthine government’s cuts.

“To say TAFE is at a crisis point is not an understatement.”

The forum was attended by a mix of teachers, students and members of the community, including Labor MPs Jacinta Allan and Edwards and Bendigo Greens candidates Jennifer Alden and John Brownstein.

Liberal candidates Greg Bickley and Michael Langdon were apologies.

AEU branch president Meredith Peace said the state government had taken the rug from out underneath Bendigo when it came to TAFE funding.

“This state has been the hardest hit state by the current jobs crisis and skyrocketing youth unemployment in regional Victoria,” she said.

“Victorians need a strong, well-resourced public TAFE system."