Every Victorian deserves access to quality vocational education
We’ve seen the ‘rescue’ and the ‘stabilisation’ of TAFE, but it is far from being ‘saved’. It’s time for that to change.
How do the major parties stack up in Victoria?
Labor Party
Track Record
$320 million rescue fund for TAFE
Re-opening TAFE campuses closed by former Liberal government
Finalised new TAFE agreement for staff
Stronger regulation to drive out poor quality private providers
Commitments
52 fee-free TAFE courses
"Building Better TAFEs Fund" of $220 million, to upgrade campuses and buildings across the state
Liberal Party
Track Record
Decimated TAFE, stripping $1.2 billion from the sector over four years
Closed TAFE campuses
Approximately 3,000 TAFE teachers lost their jobs
No TAFE agreement for staff
Commitments
No TAFE commitments
What is the current situation with TAFE education in Victoria?
TAFEs deliver high quality education – they’re trusted by industry professionals and the community to educate the skilled workers Victoria needs. The Andrews government has reinvested significantly, but the TAFE system needs more support and investment to ensure it can again become the pre-eminent provider of vocational education.
Public TAFEs have been neglected
TAFE is the backbone of Victoria’s vocational education system. TAFEs employ qualified teachers to give students real skills for skill jobs. But from 2008-14 we saw the steady decline of TAFE due to the actions of successive governments.
Low quality private companies undercut TAFEs
Our public TAFEs are forced to compete with profit-driven private training providers who cut corners at students’ expense, don’t have to hire qualified teaching staff, and don’t deliver the skilled, job-ready graduates the community needs.
Quality standards are inconsistent
While TAFEs are required to employ only qualified teachers, private providers are not held to the same requirements. In delivering a higher quality education, TAFEs incur higher costs, making it impossible for them to compete on a level playing field with private providers.
Our TAFE system deserves better
Increase share of funding for public TAFEs
We need a government that will guarantee at least 70% of Victorian government vocational education funding goes to our public TAFEs.
Ensure quality qualifications and teaching for TAFE
Develop a Victorian comprehensive curriculum across all qualifications, delivered by fully qualified and registered TAFE teachers.
Vincent – Lawyer and TAFE graduate
Vincent Shin wanted to be a lawyer, but after a difficult childhood, he had a low ATAR. Instead of being defeated, Vince completed a Legal Services qualification at TAFE, which allowed him to take on a Bachelor of Law. Vincent is a lawyer helping people in Melbourne’s West.
Sign the petition
Victorian public TAFEs are forced to compete with profit-driven private providers that deliver substandard training.
TAFE is the backbone of Victoria’s vocational education sector. It provides students with high quality education and the skills that produce job ready graduates.
We need to expand free TAFE courses and guarantee at least 70% of vocational education funding for TAFEs.
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