BioGeelong

Gordon Institute of TAFE

The Gordon Institute of TAFE is Victoria's largest regional TAFE institute. It has approximately 500 staff, annual enrolments of approximately 24,000 students who attend 380 full time, part time and specialist courses. The overall operating budget for the Gordon Institute in 2004/05 was $42 million.

Science is a major priority of the Office of Technical and Further Education (OTFE). Life Sciences is one of the eight teaching schools of the Institute and within this there is a specialist group (Applied Science and Maths Team) with a biotechnology focus led by Dr Sam Vonarx. The Applied Science and Maths Team employs approximately ten full time equivalent (FTE) staff; comprising six core staff and a number of sessional teachers. There are approximately 50 graduates per annum from the Applied Science and Maths-related programs taught by the School. The School of Life Sciences has an annual budget of approximately $1.5 million; the Applied Science and Maths component of this is approximately $700,000-$800,000.

The leader of the group, Dr Sam Vonarx, is one of only ten recipients of a Victorian TAFE Fellowship. Dr Vonarx has extensive research experience, prior to joining Gordon TAFE in 2005, Dr Vonarx held academic and research positions at Deakin University.

Chemistry has traditionally been a strong part of the Gordon Institute of TAFE. There has been an expansion in the pattern of industry demand in recent years, from developing skills to support the industrial sector, to now include the increasingly prominent healthcare and agribiotech sectors. That has led to several developments in Gordon TAFE which have strengthened the biotechnology related skills base:

  • The appointment of Dr Sam Vonarx as a TAFE Fellow
  • The development of three new laboratories in biology, microbiology and general purpose chemistry.
  • The development and launch of new course materials in biotechnology and laboratory disciplines necessary to support biological and health sciences related work, including laboratory management and laboratory safety.
  • The beginnings of a research program within Gordon TAFE as a means of ensuring industry engagement and collaboration, and exposing students to research practices.

The School of Life Sciences offers the following biotechnology related courses:

  • Cert III in Laboratory Skills
  • Cert IV in Laboratory Techniques
  • Diploma of Laboratory Technology
  • Biological and Environmental Testing
  • Pathology Testing
  • Certificate II in Animal Studies
  • Cert IV in OH & S
  • Diploma of OH & S
  • Advanced Diploma of OH & S
  • Cert IV in Environmental Management
  • Diploma in Environmental Management

In 2006 the Life Sciences School intends to launch the following new biotechnology related courses:

  • Post-graduate Certificate in Laboratory Health, Safety and Environment Management Systems, which has received accreditation.
  • Post-graduate Certificate Biotechnology Business, which is currently undergoing accreditation.

The Life Sciences School is also exploring new course offerings including infection control (e.g. for the aged care sector), tissue sampling (for clinical work and clinical trials) and bio informatics (in association with RMIT).


For further information on Gordon Institute of TAFE please visit: www.gordontafe.edu.au