2015-12-14
The Australian Greens have warned NSW against stripping funding to TAFEs across the state, warning similar collapses could happen like those interstate.
The Greens spokesperson on High Education, Senator Robert Simms, questioned why the NSW Government would make such a decision when the for-profit VET sector is in such a shambles.
"The for-profit VET sector is currently in a deep state of disrepair in NSW and across the country. Indeed, the NSW Government has deregistered eight companies this year for malpractice," Senator Simms said.
"It is baffling that the NSW Government would want to strip funding from TAFE, where there is stronger oversight and a well-earned reputation for quality service delivery, and funnel it into a shonky VET sector.
"We have seen what happened in Victoria where the Liberal Government attempted to do the same thing. Half the State's TAFEs were left running in the red and as a result they had to cut down on teaching staff. And in South Australia, we've seen SA Labor's now scrapped Skills for All program create perverse incentives for the for-profit providers that have damaged the TAFE sector.
"If the NSW really care about quality vocational education they will invest their money into a proven system that delivers student outcomes and is trusted by industry. And that system is clearly TAFE."
Media contact: Cambell Klose 0417 173 508