Bendigo TAFE decision to cut music course upsets teachers, students

Bendigo TAFE has decided to drop the Certificate IV in Music Industry from 2020, with executive director of studies Janelle Arena citing "low enrolments and poor employment outcomes" as the reason.

But former course teacher Hans Meinig said there seemed to be a lack of understanding about the industry.

Mr Meinig said the course, which focused on technical production, taught such skills as set sound reinforcement, how to properly place microphones and how to manage equipment, among others.

He said these aligned with careers in such areas as music retail, live venue mixing, teaching, touring with bands, digital media, coding, and theatre.

"The industry is quite diverse in Bendigo," Mr Meinig said.

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However, Ms Arena said career and employment outcome data for the sector indicated sound production was in the lowest category for growth in employment locally, with graduates having only a 6 per cent chance of being employed in the sector.

Ms Arena also said there were 23 enquiries for 2020, but no enrolments nor applications to the course.

Mr Meinig contested TAFE's claims about the popularity of the course.

He said a teacher told him there were 35 applicants, and the course averaged about 20 students each year.

"The picture is just incongruous," he said.

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Mr Arena said Bendigo TAFE arrived at the decision following an extensive review process.

"We are committed to continuously reviewing our course offerings to ensure that our training meets industry and skills needs and is well resourced with qualified teachers and quality courseware and facilities," she said.

Mr Meinig also questioned the review and said he did not know anyone who was consulted.

Rachelle Pointon, a 2019 graduate, said she was "extremely disappointed" to see the course dropped.

Doing such a course was a dream "26 years in the making", Ms Pointon said, and she loved it.

Ms Pointon said not all prospective students were able to go to Melbourne.

Not all of her classmates came from Bendigo, either - she said fellow students came from places including Shepparton, Bamawm and Heathcote.

Kyabram student Bobby Wallden also completed the course this year and too was upset that the course was cancelled.

He said having the course in Bendigo allowed him to keep his job while studying, while Melbourne was three hours away.

"I completed the course with a wealth of information about not just the music industry but about audio, local and federal laws, human body language, and developed skills that I will have for life," Mr Wallden said.