New TAFE model a risky business: union
The Community and Public Sector Union, which represents TAFE education support staff, is concerned changes to TAFE course funding announced today, combined with the previously announced job cuts, will compromise the quality of education offered to NSW students.
Community and Public Sector Union, NSW Branch Secretary, John Cahill said there is nothing in today鈥檚 announcement to suggest the State Government鈥檚 proposed changes will help build a better, more sustainable TAFE system.
鈥淭he contestable funding model for TAFE has been a disaster in Victoria, and I鈥檝e seen nothing today that convinces me we will avoid the same pitfalls in NSW,鈥 Mr Cahill said.
鈥淭AFE has been gold standard in NSW vocational education and training for generations 鈥 meeting the needs of students and industry. Why should our high-quality education system be thrown into unequal competition with low-quality, cut-rate providers?
鈥淔orced competition and new guidelines for course funding will not increase vocational training for all, it will create 鈥榳inners鈥 and 鈥榣osers鈥 among students and reduce聽 high-quality education options.
鈥淭he Government claims TAFE will still be a provider of choice, while it introduces measures that really limit student鈥檚 choice 鈥 de-funding long-running courses, raising fees, cutting department budgets and slashing 800 jobs.
鈥淭he standard of learning will be affected by a reduction in the staff employed to maintain resources and infrastructure such as classrooms, laboratories, equipment and tools.
鈥淲e are already seeing a diversion of money away from student services into marketing as TAFE institutes gear up to compete with private providers.
鈥淲e have also yet to see how access for low-income and disabled students will be safeguarded under the new model.
鈥淲e call on the State Government to consider what鈥檚 best for both students and industry by abandoning moves for TAFE privatisation and cutbacks,鈥 he said.
Contact: Andrew Holland 0418 236 867 / Jane Garcia 0434 489 533