Premier’s TAFE plan – fewer courses, fewer teachers, fewer jobs

Tasmanian Labor
  • Will Hodgman dodges questions on TAFE courses
  • Construction, IT, plumbing courses all a mess
  • Government must adopt Labor’s policy for free TAFE courses
  • Will Hodgman is failing to invest in TAFE and as
    a result, TAFE is failing young Tasmanians who are trying to get a job.

    Last month, students in Information Technology
    Cert IV in Launceston were told their course was being postponed until next
    year.

    This year 100 Tasmanians applied to study
    Construction Cert II but only 12 were accepted due to a lack of teachers.

    Students who were excluded from the construction
    course were advised to look at other courses, including plumbing and
    electrotechnology – but neither of these courses are being offered this year.

    Shadow TAFE, University and Skills Minister
    Michelle O’Byrne said Will Hodgman had failed to stand up for TAFE and
    Tasmanian students.

    “Will Hodgman’s only plan for TAFE is to offer
    fewer courses with fewer teachers,” Ms O’Byrne said.

    “He has never believed in TAFE and he never
    will.

    “The Minority Liberal Government has broken our
    TAFE system, with more than 2000 apprenticeships lost while Will Hodgman has
    been Premier.

    “We gave him the opportunity today to work with Labor to offer free TAFE courses in key sectors such as disability and aged care, building and construction, and tourism – but Mr Hodgman again failed to stand up for our training sector.”

    Michelle O’Byrne MP

    Shadow TAFE, University and Skills Minister

    /Public Release. View in full here.