Gippsland TAFEs choose regional pal TAFEs in Gippsland have decided on a partnership with a Ballarat-based university. Picture: Tourism Victoria. Source: National Features GIPPSLAND'S TAFEs will pursue a "new formal partnership" with the renamed University of Ballarat after deciding not to link up with eastern-Melbourne based Chisholm Institute. But it the details may not become clear for another year or so, with the parties saying fleshing out the arrangement will "take time." The deal will see Advance TAFE in eastern Gippsland and its western neighbour GippsTAFE tying the knot with Ballarat, now known as Federation University Australia. The HES understands the two TAFEs decided that an alliance with Chisholm could have resulted in programs too skewed to metropolitan needs. While Chisholm is relatively close to Gippsland, Ballarat has a presence in the region through its acquisition of Monash University's Gippsland campus. Advance chairman Scott Rossetti said "a strong and regionally focused partnership" was crucial. We have been encouraged by the strong community messages of support for a Gippsland-based partnership that includes the local university, and we believe this will be the best model to meet regional needs. Chisholm chairman Stephen Marks said his institute had "decided to withdraw from the process" but would maintain a focus in the state's south-east, exploring new ways of collaborating with the other three institutions. Federation vice-chancellor David Battersby said the Gippsland partnership would help foster pathways between TAFE and higher education. The Ballarat deal has strong local support, according to a media statement. "Community leaders from government agencies, regional economic development groups and key figures from local businesses, industries and regional education have expressed support for a regional partnership," it says. The decision also follows a social media campaign by Gippsland locals who supported a deal with Ballarat. "The future of vocational education for this region is significantly at risk if other options are supported, especially considering Chisholm Institute's view that Advance TAFE and GippsTAFE are merely outposts," says a petition to Skills Minister Peter Hall. Mr Hall commended the decision. "Any form of structural change will be measured by way of improved educational outcomes and the degree of community support," he said. Whatever form the new structure takes, I have requested that collaborations with other providers not be excluded or diminished. The three institutions are hoping for cash support from the state government, in the form of grants from its TAFE Structural Adjustment Fund. Allocations from the fund are expected to be announced around March.