These were the words Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall told Parliament back in July when he was lobbying for our city to become the headquarter’s for TAFE’s digital education service. 

“The public service can be managed just as well, if not better and more cheaply, from a regional centre,” he went on to say.

Yesterday’s announcement that TAFE NSW Digital Education Headquarters in Armidale made sense.

Our city is the only mainland centre with full National Broadband Network fiber connections to every premises and its strong reputation as an education hub in country NSW.

While for a long-time we have been the leading educational centre in northern NSW, that is now expanding as we become one of the nation’s best at education.

It shows that our wonderful city is growing, expanding, and has a lot to offer.

While most regional cities can boast space and sporting facilities, one of the greatest assets Armidale can boast is the whole gamut of schools.

We have public, private, Catholic and alternative schools. We have a renowned university. Next year we can add the online learning hub for TAFE education to that list.

The brand new government agency announced yesterday will employ close to 60 people and will have responsibility for developing and delivering all of TAFE NSW digital learning programs and courses.

At yesterday’s announcement, the deputy premier, John Barilaro said online learning was increasing.

“The amount of students taking up online learning with TAFE NSW continues to grow and we are focusing our resources on meeting the demands of students,” Mr Barilaro said.

Earlier this year, when the proposal was first raised, Mr Marshall said the advantages to this region would be massive.

“When we bring more people into a city like Armidale, there is an immediate effect on growth and investment.

“If we’re able to pull this off, it will neatly compliment the work federally by Barnaby Joyce to secure the APVMA for Armidale and the 175 jobs that will follow,” he said.

Well, now we have pulled it off.

We say well done to TAFE and the State Government, for recognising what our city has to offer. They can see the potential, as well as we can.