Media release – Australian Eductation Union Tasmania, 11 August 2021
OPPORTUNITIES CELEBRATED THIS NATIONAL TAFE DAY
TasTAFE staff and students are today celebrating the opportunities created for Tasmanians through the public education institution this National TAFE Day.
AEU Tasmania President David Genford said it was vital to recognise the positive role TAFE plays in the community and the pathways it provides for Tasmanians.
“It’s great to see so many Tasmanians given a career path to follow through TAFE – whether that’s as an electrician, childcare worker, plumber or a hairdresser the opportunities are far-reaching,” Mr Genford said.
“TAFE gives chances for students who don’t wish to follow a university pathway. It provides industry-recognised courses led by passionate teachers. We are all linked to a TAFE success story, and we should all take the time to celebrate TAFE today.”
Mr Genford said while TasTAFE was delivering community success, federal funding cuts over the past decade have made it harder for the organisation to deliver training in the community.
“As we come out of the COVID-19 pandemic, our community needs highly skilled workers more than ever. We can rebuild a positive future with high quality vocational education and training through TAFE,” he said.
“Every member of our community deserves the opportunity of a high-quality education and all the benefits that will bring them.
“At TAFE, that’s what they get. But we need to reverse the federal funding cuts and make sure our capacity to keep delivering the skills and training locals need is strong.”
Community members are invited to support TasTAFE by taking action at www.rebuildwithtafe.org.au.
Josh Willie MLC, Shadow Minister for TAFE, 11 August 2021
TAFE cannot be undermined
On National TAFE Day 2021, Tasmanian Labor acknowledges the importance of TAFE as the public provider of skills and training in Tasmania.
Shadow Minister for TAFE Josh Willie said TasTAFE had a proud history of giving Tasmanians the tools they need to get into the workforce.
“TasTAFE continues to play a crucial role in helping Tasmanians get the skills and training they need to get a foot in the door to a good job,” Mr Willie said.
“Staff, students and industry employers have all seen the benefit of what an effective government run training provider can do and on National TAFE Day it is important we acknowledge the proud history of TasTAFE.”
Mr Willie said despite the undeniable success of hardworking students and teachers, after seven years of under investment and neglect from the Liberal Government, the proud institution is now in need of support.
“TasTAFE has been underfunded and neglected for seven years and at a time when we should be rebuilding with TAFE, the government is instead trying to blow it up.
“The transition of TasTAFE to a corporatised model will threaten to destroy TAFE as we know it, raising costs and placing the future of TAFE up in the air.
“Peter Gutwein and Education Minister Sarah Courtney must go back to the drawing board and stop their plan to blow up TAFE.
“TasTAFE has had a positive impact on the lives of countless Tasmanians and it cannot be allowed to deteriorate any further under this government.”
