Gold Coast Institute of TAFE has today announced plans to offer complimentary study placements to 50 international students impacted by the collapse of the GEOS English College.

Gold Coast Institute of TAFE acting Chief Executive Officer, Aaron Devine said the Institute was concerned for the student’s welfare and initiated contact with English Study Australia, the company appointed to place the students with training organisations within 28 days.

“Early next week 50 students will receive letters of offers providing them the opportunity to study at Gold Coast TAFE.

“We wanted to be able to assist the students as quickly as possible so they could continue their dream of studying in Australia.

“We understand the students have been very worried about their situation and we wanted to rectify this urgently.

“They will be offered placements to study English for ten weeks at no cost and will be assessed on their first day and placed into appropriate classes for their current level of English.

“The unfortunate closure of the GEOS English Colleges highlights the importance and stability of public training providers. Gold Coast Institute of TAFE is backed by the Queensland Government therefore ensuring long term security for our students.

According to Mr Devine the students accepting the offers will be invited to attend a welcome morning tea on their first day.

“We want the students to feel truly welcomed and to let them know that their training future is in safe hands.

“We will introduce the students to key representatives from our Student Support and International Student Centres who can assist them with their transition to studying at Gold Coast TAFE.

“The welfare of students is a priority for us at the Institute and we want to ensure they feel supported to allow them to concentrate on their studies,” he said.

Mr Devine said Gold Coast TAFE is the only International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Examination Centre in the Gold Coast region.

“At the completion of their English course the students will sit a free examination in the IELTS Centre to test their level of language skills in listening, reading, writing and speaking,” Mr Devine said.

Due to the increasing demand for IELTS testing, Gold Coast TAFE is preparing to officially open a new centrally located testing centre at the Southport Campus in mid April.

Source: GCIT News