TAFE students and teachers are set to benefit from Federal Labor’s new skills policy announced today.
Australian Education Union Federal President Correna Haythorpe welcomed the ALP’s promise of 465,000 free TAFE places, $50 million for new facilities and equipment and a guarantee of 70 per cent of total government funding for TAFE.
“These new commitments announced today by Anthony Albanese will create life-changing opportunities for future TAFE students,” Ms Haythorpe said.
“If delivered, these commitments will rebuild and restore TAFE as the anchor institution of vocational education. They will ensure vocational students have access to more courses and more opportunity, to high quality new facilities and state of the art equipment, and importantly more teachers and greater individual attention.
“This announcement places TAFE at the centre of the Federal Election debate. Voters will have a clear choice when they head to the polls.
“The Morrison Government’s privatisation-by-stealth agenda has seen students lose opportunities through course cuts, campus closures and higher fees.
“Alternatively, Labor’s commitments will ensure TAFE teachers have the resources they need to deliver high quality vocational education and that students have the skills they need to get a secure job.
“The AEU has been calling for the restoration of funding and proper support for TAFE for a long time, culminating in our #RebuildWithTAFE launched earlier this year.
“Our TAFE members will be very pleased that Federal Labor has listened to their concerns and recognised them as the experts in the field of vocational education and training.”
