10 March 2010
SKILLS REPORT ADVANCES CRITICAL ROLE OF TAFE
TAFE Directors Australia (TDA) has welcomed the breadth of Skills Australia’s vision for
improving Australian workforce participation, articulated in its publication Australian Workforce
Futures.
TDA’s 58 member TAFE institutes are the largest deliverers of accredited national training
delivering to 1.68 million students in locations throughout Australia. In its pre-Budget
submission to the Treasurer, Ideas and Priorities for Vocational Education and Training, TDA
outlined its priorities and funding requirements for the vocational education and training sector
in achieving the COAG targets.
TDA Acting Chief Executive, Pam Caven said it is pleasing that many of TDA’s priorities have
been reflected in the Skills Australia report.
“More than ever there is a need for a VET workforce that is skilled in delivering training and
assessment to diverse clients and is expert in contemporary work practice. TDA wholeheartedly
supports Skills Australia’s strategy to develop and implement a workforce development strategy
for the tertiary education sector”.
Located in the centre of the post-secondary education spectrum, with universities on one side
and schools on the other, the structures and operations of TAFE institutes need to
accommodate both the changing nature and role of the other sectors, while being well placed
to continue providing leadership in vocational education and training. TDA supports the
proposed “new partnership approach” with industry, community organisations and governments
“to drive participation and productivity improvements”.
Skills Australia’s position is consistent with TDA’s position – more funding is required to support
individuals’ participation in higher level qualifications. Additional funding should be directed to
TAFE institutes, which are catering to the largest numbers of students, not to organisations that
are at the margin of vocational education.
“TDA supports the report’s strategies to enable individuals, especially those from disadvantaged
backgrounds, to engage in education and training. TAFE institutes have proven experience and
expertise in working with disadvantaged students, especially in rural and remote regions and
recognize the additional costs in supporting these students to achieve employment and further
study outcomes,” Ms Caven said.
ABN: 39 070 265 734
National Secretariat
Sydney Institute of TAFE NSW
Turner Hall (Building B)
Ultimo College
Crn Mary Ann and Harris
Streets Ultimo NSW 2007
Media Release
TDA supports the report’s recommendation of targeted funding to literacy and numeracy,
enabling skills that will underpin increased participation in education and training. Such skills
are critical for those seeking to enter the workforce and for those in employment seeking to
upgrade their skills.
TDA agrees with Skills Australia that the decline in public funding for the VET sector is of
concern. Australia needs its TAFE institutes to be agile and innovative in their responsiveness
to the needs of individuals and enterprises. The acknowledgement in Workforce
Futures that
public funding per student contact hour to TAFE institutes has been falling in recent years may
now give impetus to this situation being redressed by both state and Commonwealth
governments.
Contact: Pam Caven, TAFE Directors Australia, 02 9217 3180 or 0403 383 024
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