27 July 2009
Young people told to skill up - but pay more
In a display of incredible hypocrisy the Federal Government has told young people they need to skill up - just as increased Victorian TAFE fees kick in.
Federal Ministers have urged young people to help drive Australia out of economic pressure by broadening their skill levels and increasing their access to employment.
It's a message that comes in the same month that the State Government has increased Victorian TAFE students' course fees - in some cases by more than $10,000 - and abolished many concessions rates, as part of its new skills reforms.
Shifting the financial burden of education from government to students is not the way to solve the Australian skills shortage and will only act as a disincentive to gain skills and training post secondary school.
More than 400,000 students access the Victorian TAFE system. In a recession, TAFE is vital to our economy; it's a lifeline for many, and a ladder into work and university for others.
The AEU is leading a campaign to have the reforms revoked, and to protect Victoria's TAFE system for ALL.
Find out more at tafe4all.org.au.
— Posted by Anna Kelsey-Sugg, AEU Vic branch
Another example of increasing the divide between the haves and have nots. We have not evolved from the Kennett year's values and way of thinking. User pays corporate values is steadily undermining our future workforce and culture.
Jill, , 03 AUG 2009 20:43
Just read the opinion piece on dodgy colleges linked from your site. Great article, hot issue. Gillard doing nothing
Dan Murphy, Melbourne, 30 JUL 2009 09:49
It's horrifying to think that higher ed was free in the 1970's for those politicians who are now imposing these enormous fees on students, what happened to a fair go?
kristobel, Mornington, 29 JUL 2009 20:47
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