require urgent action from the Minister, Jeremy Rockliff.
Shadow Minister for TAFE, University and Skills Michelle O’Byrne said Tasmania’s young apprentices should not be penalised for the ongoing staffing and other issues at TasTAFE.
“This symptomatic of a larger problem as students across trades are impacted,” Ms O’Byrne said.
“Jeremy Rockliff must launch an urgent audit of how many students have had training cancelled or delayed in past two years.
“The Minister must also investigate how many TAFE students have not completed their training.
“Last weekend Labor exposed that TasTAFE was unable to provide plumbing apprentices with required training in their first year and as a result, apprentices have now been told that their apprenticeship will need to be extended by six months.
“This means another six months on an apprenticeship wage instead of a tradesman wage and delays to career aspirations for students.
“This government is denying Tasmanians the opportunity to become skilled through the public trainer – they are denying Tasmanians a pathway to jobs.
“Ongoing staffing issues at TasTAFE are impacting on the careers of Tasmania’s young apprentices.
“Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff must intervene in this mess and get this important training facility back on track.”
Michelle O’Byrne MP
Deputy Labor Leader
Shadow Minister for TAFE, University and Skills
