The future of Aoraki Polytechnic's Ashburton campus is in the hands of the community.

So far the Ashburton campus has 21 enrolments for next year, Aoraki chief executive Kay Nelson said, compared to 15 at the same time last year.

Fifteen enrolments in November last year went on to become 250 enrolments at the end of September this year, which was 69 equivalent fulltime students.

The future of the Ashburton campus was in Mid Canterbury's hands, she said.

"No decisions have been made about any changes to the Ashburton campus. As we are funded on student numbers everything is dependent on the support from the Ashburton community.

"We are absolutely dependent on communities using the polytechnic and attending the programmes. We have great staff, great academic outcomes, great industry support and relationships, we just need the people to come."

Traditionally enrolments came in mid to late January or even early February.

"We are seeing an earlier trend of enrolments across the polytechnic this year for next."

Ten courses were being offered at the Ashburton campus next year including diplomas in business, office management and arts and media. Certificate courses included professional office management, graphic design, life skills, beauty skills, parenting and care of children.

Six short courses were also on offer: modular computing, liquor licence controller, food safety, teacher aide, digital photography and Photoshop.

This year between 30 to 40 students from Ashburton also took the bus to the Timaru campus each day.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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