AEU state councillors call for major review of the Skills Reform Policy
21 October 2011
120 AEU state councillors today unanimously passed a resolution condemning the State Government's funding cuts to TAFE and calling for a major review of the failed Skills Reform Policy.
AEU Victorian Branch president Mary Bluett said the funding cuts were a cover up for the failure of the Skills Reform Policy introduced in Victoria in 2009.
"We are calling for a major review of this flawed policy," Ms Bluett said.
"Fees will rise for thousands of Victorians completing vocational training courses as a result of the cuts. Under the changes, a freeze on fees for apprentices will also be lifted, resulting in costs rising by between $100 and $200 per year.
"In a time of critical skills shortages for many industries it is vital we encourage people to think about taking up an apprenticeship. Increasing the costs for potential students and their employers will not do this. We need incentives not disincentives like fee hikes for apprentices.
"In addition, there will be cuts to funding for TAFE's largest providers, worth around $100 million to the sector.
"Victorians deserve a public TAFE system that is adequately funded and supported by government to return to the crucial position it once held in delivering high quality education and training for the future of Victoria.
"Taking taxpayer's money away from the public TAFE system to subsidise and support private business in an effort to drive down costs for the State Government has damaged the reputation and quality outcomes of the VET sector in Victoria.
"This policy is nothing more than a ploy to shift the responsibility of providing vocational education and training away from government to personal cost on Victorian families.
"Under the protection of the Skills Reform Policy, private businesses can now shamelessly cherry-pick the cheapest courses to run, and give students shortened, low-quality training with little prospects of employment once they finish, in order to make profits.
"It is no coincidence that the biggest growth in enrolments has been seen in recreation, retail, hospitality, tourism, business and IT — courses that require minimal space and equipment and are potentially run by tutors with little industry experience. Many of these have an oversupply seeking employment.
"TAFE Institutes are critical parts of regional communities' identity and futures and reducing support for TAFE will hurt regional families and businesses which are struggling after years of economic downturn and natural disasters," said Ms Bluett.
Read the Branch Council resolution
