Tasmanian Labor welcomes the Federal Labor Government’s deal to address Tasmania’s skills shortage and deliver more fee-free TasTAFE and vocational education places for Tasmanians.
The 12-month Skills Agreement mirrors Tasmanian Labor’s policy on TAFE and will provide support for around 3,800 fee-free TasTAFE and vocational education and training places in 2023.
The shortage of skilled workers has been holding Tasmania back for years, with a direct impact on Tasmania’s economy, which is why Tasmanian Labor has been pushing for improvements to TasTAFE, including free courses.
Now, with the Federal Labor Government providing funding, the State Liberal Government needs to step up and do its part after delivering fewer than half of the TasTAFE teachers it promised in the last financial year.
Despite providing $3.8 million last financial year for an additional 25 TasTAFE teachers the Liberals recently updated parliament that they’d employed just 12.
The reality is the Liberals have turned TasTAFE upside down and created a terrible workplace culture.
Skills and Training Minister Felix Ellis, like Madeleine Ogilvie, is making misleading statements in public, this time not telling the truth when it comes to teachers’ pay, with new teachers actually working more hours and for less money per hour.
Earlier this year, it was revealed that 20 Tasmanian electrical apprentices had their training block cancelled due to a lack of teaching staff, and a lack of staff has also led to client services closing indefinitely at the Clarence campus.
The Skills Agreement is a good start – but if it is to make a difference, then Mr Ellis and the Liberals need to follow through and deliver what they have promised.
Federal Labor’s plan shows the commitment the party has to education and investing in the skills we need to drive future economic growth. Labor will always support TAFE.
Josh Willie MLC
Shadow Minister for TAFE
