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MEDIA RELEASE |
Mr Peter Hall MLC |
CHANGES COULD HURT TAFE SYSTEM AND STUDENTS
Changes to the TAFE system proposed by the Brumby Government risked creating more economic barriers for students considering TAFE, Shadow Spokesman for Skills Peter Hall said today.
Mr Hall, who is also a member of the State Parliament’s Education and Training Committee, said any changes to Victoria’s TAFE system must be carefully considered and the impacts on country students and TAFE providers fully assessed.
“The State Government’s discussion paper Securing our future economic prosperity proposes two major reforms for the TAFE sector – introducing HECS-style fees for TAFE students and forcing greater levels of contestability in the delivery of vocational programs,” Mr Hall said.
“A plan to institute a radically different, restructured vocational training program makes no sense when Victoria’s VET system is already recognised as a national leader, and I can only conclude that the State Government has proposed these plans in an attempt to avoid its future funding liability for the TAFE sector.”
Mr Hall said the Education and Training Committee’s current inquiry into higher education showed it was vital to make post-secondary education options accessible to potential students.
“Jacking up TAFE fees will not get more people into training and will not help Victorian employers to meet the skills shortages that threaten our future prosperity.
“The Education and Training Committee’s inquiry into higher education participation rates has shown that economic barriers are a deterrent for many potential TAFE students, particularly in country areas.
“The Committee has heard that the cost of sending a young adult to university is often insurmountable for country families and this is why fewer country kids go on to university.
“TAFE has often provided an affordable alternative to country students unable to attend university, and increasing fees to TAFE students, and those receiving training from private providers in Victoria, will discourage them from obtaining skills.
Mr Hall said he was also concerned about the impact of contestability on country TAFE colleges.
“Making all training contestable by about 2011 or 2012, as proposed by the government, will mean every provider will be able to bid for training packages,” Mr Hall said.
“Obviously the bigger TAFE institutes and private providers will cherry-pick the best possible course that they can take, leaving less popular options for smaller and regional institutes.
“Regional institutes of TAFE will therefore be less capable of competing with private providers and some of the bigger institutions in Melbourne.
“The last thing we want to see are our regional TAFE institutes becoming a second-best option offering less popular vocational training opportunities, which will happen under full contestability.
“The Minister for Education needs to spell out how the Government will ensure the sustainability and viability of public providers of training in country Victoria,” Mr Hall said.
Media contact: Peter Hall (03) 5174 7066 or 0427 747 066