The lack of classes at Dapto TAFE this semester has reinforced the need for a comprehensive review of the government's vocational education and training changes, the teachers' union says.
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The NSW Teachers Federation has backed a state opposition push for an investigation into the damage caused by controversial Smart and Skilled reforms.
"There are major problems for students," federation TAFE organiser Rob Long said.
"In the Illawarra, we've already identified basically the budget cuts from Smart and Skilled has meant that Dapto college [sic] has no students this semester and that students are being disadvantaged by courses being cut from their local college.
"They're also being disadvantaged by a significant rise in fees."
The Mercury revealed in March that classes at Dapto had ceased and students had been told to study elsewhere.
Opposition spokesman for skills David Harris has called for an inquiry into TAFE course cuts, fee hikes, increasing use of for-profit providers and recent IT failures.
"The Baird government has taken us down the road of dismantling the TAFE system without understanding the contribution it makes to our economy," he said.
Mr Long said the inquiry should also analyse the role teachers played in vocational education and training.
"It appears that there's more and more less-qualified para-professionals who are taking on roles of teaching, rather than teachers," he said.
"TAFE has always been the pre-eminent provider of quality vocational education, with a focus on access and equity so that it's available to all students.
"We're very concerned that Smart and Skilled is turning that around and only making it available for students who can afford to pay."
Labor Keira MP, and former opposition spokesman for education, Ryan Park said the inquiry was an opportunity for regional areas to "look at the massive contribution TAFE makes and to highlight to everybody why it's so critical".
The Mercury contacted NSW Education Minister Adrian Piccoli's office for comment.
Meantime, Mr Long said he had asked TAFE Illawarra about Dapto campus' future, but hadn't received a formal response.
"I'm hopeful that there will be some courses at Dapto next semester," he said.
A TAFE Illawarra spokeswoman said courses on offer for the semester are yet to be finalised.
