The new Victorian Premier is making his mark on the top job by implementing a $200 million dollar funding grant for the state’s TAFE sector.
In his first move as the new Liberal Party leader, Premier Denis Napthine’s funding follows a controversial $290 million dollar cut to the TAFE education sector last year. Based on a report released by the Premier and Minister for Higher Education and Skills Peter Hall, the funding is hoping to give new life to Victoria’s TAFE system.
“The Victorian Coalition Government is committed to providing every Victorian with the chance to access a quality training system full of rich training opportunities. This funding is designed to assist TAFE institutes in securing their presence within the broader vocational education and training industry,” the Premier said.
See more information on the report here: Next Steps for Refocusing Vocational Training in Victoria – Supporting a Modern Workforce.
Government and industry figures claim the funding will open new opportunities for business investment, innovation and structural reform inside Victoria’s TAFEs.
As part of the changes, TAFE institutes will also be given greater control of their assets by transferring property titles, allowing TAFE institutes to re-invest the proceeds from sales, and by working towards more flexible financial arrangements. This will be good news for businesses seeking contracts from the TAFE sector, with pathways to allow Victorian TAFEs to re-invest the proceeds of sales on infrastructure.
The Victorian funding back flip follows a trend of TAFE disputes across Australia, with many opposition Ministers and TAFE representatives saying more can be done to help the education institutions.
Under the Liberal state government in NSW, TAFEs have seen continual funding cuts over the last twelve months. Under Education Minister Adrian Piccoli these cuts have seen a reported 1,800 jobs lost and a 9.5 per cent spike in TAFE fees. Speaking at the launch of the TAFE Community Alliance in February, Shadow Minister for Education and Training Carmel Tebbutt called for more action from Premier Barry O’Farrell in helping keep the education institutions alive.
‘This is a critical time for TAFE in NSW. I’m sure it is fair to say that many of you have been disappointed at times with the support for TAFE from Governments of all persuasions - however I can’t think of a time when there has been such a serious, concerted attack on TAFE and its very existence,’ the Shadow Minister said.
Meanwhile in Queensland, there is speculation Premier Campbell Newman will draft radical privatisation for the state’s TAFE sector. Hugely unpopular amongst TAFE staff, the privatisation plans revolve around implementing HECS-style loans to TAFE students. As reported by the Brisbane Times it’s a move that’s been blocked
by the federal government under the instruction of Minister for Higher Education and Skills Chris Bowen.
Although industry representatives assert there is much more work to be done, the news of the $200 million Victorian TAFE funding may assist the nation-wide battle for more TAFE institutional support.
In other Victorian state news, the new Premier has lead a major cabinet reshuffle, with Deputy Premier Peter Ryan being demoted from Police Minister and Kim Wells losing the Treasury position.The big winners of the reshuffle include former Cabinet Secretary David Hodgett, who has been promoted to Minister for Ports, Major Projects and Manufacturing.
