It puts into place an important piece of the new system of education – where some learning is remote over the internet and some is hands-on. Courses for Glen Innes will be devised at the headquarters.

Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall said: “The work that’s done here in virtual reality, augmented reality and robotics is really critical to what TAFE does across the state”.

Contrary to what you might imagine, the typical TAFE student in the region is a 32-year-old female with children and who works full or part-time, and the new, more flexible system will make learning for her and more traditional male students more accessible.

The idea is that it will be much easier to learn at times and in places which suit working life.

The Digital Headquarters will be crucial to developing courses and content for the Connected Learning Centres. 

TAFE NSW managing director Jon Black said it will open opportunities for rural and regional students.

“Those students can be afforded the same opportunities as those in major metropolitan areas,” Mr Black said.

Armidale was chosen for the Digital Headquarters because of the fibre to the premises NBN connection and its central location to other regional towns. 

The hub will take more than 40 permanent jobs to Armidale. It is not known if Glen Innes was in the running for the investment.

The scheme has provoked debate. Some argue that it is a way of reducing the number of classroom teachers – though those behind it say that numbers of teachers, courses and students are rising.

At the recent opening of the Connected Learning Centre in Glen Innes (the other end of the network from the new Armidale centre), Gillian Gray, the General Manager, Training for NSW, said: “More courses equals more teachers”, citing 39 courses with the new centre compared with a fraction of that under the old system.

There has also been scepticism about whether people can learn very practical skills like construction through a computer and a virtual reality visor.

In Glen Innes, Graeme Wilton who teaches construction said the new system was wonderful and the sceptics should come and try it.

The Armidale HQ  joins Connected Learning Centres in Quirindi, Coonabarabran, Glen Innes and Tenterfield with eight more to follow.