South Metropolitan TAFE Fremantle Campus

Awesome facility and great staff to guide and assist one on their job search and update one's computer skills hopefully leading to securing employment.

Beautiful location and nice staff.

Great

I done my boat building course there 10yrs ago

Good facilities for the most part. However if you have mental health or learning difficulties I would not recommend this campus. Despite making the Tafe and Lecturers aware of current mental health issues no help that is promised actually occurs. I had to leave class early due to a mental health episode and was immediately failed on my course despite making the lecturer aware of the issue.

Very poor access for disabled people.
No disabled access to demountable class rooms, I am an amputee and fortunately can hobble around on crutches but even so steps up to the class room very sketchy indeed.
only one disabled parking bay near the class rooms and that one is also used for the industrial waste bins and to top it off it is also the access to a workshop building where vehicles need to come and go, so parking there is likely to end up with your vehicle damaged or huge inconvenience to others. but the real kicker was when I received a parking ticket for parking in a staff parking zone as the staff get the priority close parking ( the client's that pay the staff wages can walk including the disabled) VERY POOR INDEED

WE HAD A WIN!
For those interested SMT has finally changed the STCW course requirements for Marine Engineering Diplomas etc.
It is now possible to complete your diploma without STCW courses if you have been injured. You dont need a certificate of competency to to receive your diploma. After months of vitriol along with ducking and weaving from SMT staff we have had a win.
Despicable Behaviour on their part.

It took letters to the WA premier, State and Federal ministers to achieve this. SMT are now aligned with Hunter TAFE, the TAFE with credibility.

However I wouldn't go to SMT they are deplorable.

They have demonstrated that they would grind you into the ground rather than admit fault just like they tried to do to me.
If they treat you badly complain long and loud you deserve better. The more voices the better.

*** HISTORY ***
BE AWARE!
I NOTE WITH INTEREST YOUR REPLY TO MY COMPLAINT. THIS ISN'T JUST ABOUT ME.

IT IS INCUMBENT UPON TAFE TO BE OPEN AND TRANSPARENT REGARDING THE CAREER AND FINANCIAL RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH ENROLMENT IN THE ADVANCED DIPLOMA OF MARINE ENGINEERING AT THIS INSTITUTION.
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If you complete all academic subjects for this Advanced Diploma “BUT” sustain an injury which precludes you from the physical short causes Advanced Fire Fighting, Survival at Sea, AMSA medical and so on, SOUTH METRO TAFE will refuse to issue your academic Qualification.

I have previously written a complaint to the Education Ministers Office and this issue was supposedly investigated by Terry Heally MLA, I was informed that SM TAFE was correct.

HOWEVER, Hunter TAFE NSW offers the same course and issues the Advanced Diploma of Marine Engineering without the short courses as any thinking professional institution would.

Hunter TAFE are approachable, professional, and proactive in their approach to Marine Engineering Studies. The Head Teacher is a Steam and Motor Chief Engineer.

The Australian Maritime College (AMC) offers a conversion pathway, Bachelor of Applied Science (Marine Engineering). Your point of contact at the AMC is a Chief Engineer with a bachelor's degree.

There are excellent choices in Australia, but those choices should “NOT” include South Metro TAFE.

When dealing with South Metropolitan TAFE on the other hand, your contact person is the Principal Lecturer - Aerospace, Maritime and Logistics according to the LinkedIn his career history is as follows:

Disputes Resolution Practitioner with Diploma of Counselling. Currently Principal Lecturer at Aerospace, Maritime and Logistics at South Metropolitan TAFE. Background in Retail business management, Commercial Real Estate and Teaching.
(NO MARITIME BACKGROUND)

He reports to the Portfolio Manager who has the following career history as per LinkedIn:

Portfolio Manager Polytechnic West

Portfolio Manager - Fashion & Hairdressing | Centre for Animals & Environment Portfolio Manager - Fashion & Hairdressing | Centre for Animals & Environment

West Polytechnic West Jan 2008 - Present · 14 years 11 months

I do not think these people should have any involvement in the future of Marine Engineers. We have demanding and technical careers, which can be at times extremely dangerous. These people have absolutely “NO” maritime qualifications, and it appears no “STEM” qualifications, which is an insult to us in my opinion. They should have absolutely NO part in our education.

As a student, you are risking your future and could effectively wave goodbye to your fees, your time, and unfortunately, your maritime industry future.

I suggest you confirm this in writing before entering into a financial contract with these SMT.

bad lecturer here