Over 400,000 students access Victorian TAFEs each year. In 2009, the State Government introduced reforms which saw TAFE fees triple for many courses and full fees charged for those who already have a degree or diploma — fees of up to $20,000.
At the same time, it threw open funding for vocational education and training to private for-profit providers. It led to an explosion in the number of registered training organisations.
But instead of providing the skills the Victorian economy needs, these firms have cherrypicked popular, cheap-to-run courses — churning out hundreds of personal trainers, real estate agents and hospitality workers.
Meanwhile TAFEs are left to provide the equipment-intensive, expensive courses such as engineering and building, because TAFE exists for the public good.
The result has been a $400 million blow out in Victoria’s VET budget last year. But instead of cracking down on the firms who filled their boots from these changes, the Government cut $40m funding to the TAFE system — the standard bearer of quality — and is considering plans to cut $230m more.
Hundreds of TAFE teachers have lost their jobs. Most institutes are now operating at a deficit. Courses have closed and students have been priced out of further education and training, or sacrificed their one shot at a government-funded qualification because they didn’t have the information to make a career choice.
With the support of other unions, community groups and the TAFE community, the AEU is running a campaign to have the reforms revoked – and we need your support.
Find out more at: http://www.tafe4all.org.au/
