The collaboration between Charles Sturt University (CSU) and TAFE NSW’s Western Institute Dubbo Campus which enables TAFE students to articulate into a bachelor degree was celebrated recently at the United We Stand conference in Perth. The conference was described as a first for social and welfare workers and educators. CSU Humanities and Social Sciences senior lecturer Bill Anscombe presented a paper at the conference with TAFE education leader Andrew Crowley and head teacher for Community Services section Deanne Davis, who said the relationship has given TAFE students an avenue to new opportunities. “This gives students access to a university level course that they wouldn’t have thought of applying for before. Working together has helped tackle issues regarding access to education in rural areas.” Mr Anscombe agrees. “By combining with TAFE we’ve been able to offer a full-time equivalent program that combines the best of uni study with the best of TAFE competency training.”