TAFE has been the dependable provider of quality work-related skills training. Sure, there are other providers that you can pay for and receive a Certificate for turning up for a week or two at a course - but does anyone ever believe that the learning in these courses is of the same quality as is available from TAFE? How can anyone seriously gain the knowledge to be a competent Trainer in two weeks, or an Occupational Health and Safety Officer in ten days?

The federal and state governments have given a licence to private colleges to accredit people as having attained the necessary competencies - but it is nonsense to imagine that the value gained is always equivalent.

Think of all of the trades and occupations that TAFE is involved in teaching and perhaps you will start worrying also where the next generation of employees will gain their skills. Then factor in those employees who are displaced from a job and work at getting skilled to seek work in a different occupation - how many people do we know who use TAFE to support their continued employment?

This reflects poorly on any government's policy statement supporting the increase of skilling workers. How can a government claim they support the call for skills while mounting these attacks on TAFEs?

The impacts are broader than the existing workforce too. TAFE is a key provider for new arrivals in Australia so they can learn both the language and the basics of how this country works.

This is scary stuff indeed.

— Posted by Jill Biddington