In some areas it’s clear there is a need to encourage more people into further education; it’s not just a matter of entitlement. There are lots of people who are workers who left school early, who are scared of further education and training. They don’t know what it is they need to know. 

A process which links recognition of existing skills, additional resources for education in applied literacy, numeracy and communication, training plan development, and mentoring and support is required.

A market approach will not work for them.

It’s a “here’s the shop; come on in and buy” approach. In a free market providers will go for the easiest and quickest students to train, and the most popular courses. 

It’s nothing to do with education and training, and increasing the quality of education.

We need government policy that links the level of public funding to the quality and intensity of the education and training, the needs of the particular group of students and workers, and to the priority of the qualifications for industry, the economy, and job security and career path for individuals. 

- Posted by Julius Roe, AMWU Federal President