The Tasmanian Liberal Government is taking action to build a bolder TasTAFE which is fit for purpose, industry-specific and offers training specific to the outcomes required.
We will do this by adopting PESRAC’s recommendation to transform TasTAFE into the independent government institution it needs to be to best serve the next generation of young people and jobseekers.
It will deliver more teachers and more delivery in our regions, contemporary, fit for purpose facilities, more training options, better pay for skilled teachers and flexible hours.
Tasmanians want this change, industry want this change, business want this change and it appears the only people that don’t are the anti-skills, anti-jobs Labor party.
The fact remains that Labor has no credibility when it comes to TasTAFE after running it to the ground and leaving it with millions of dollars in debt.
It took a Liberal Government to rebuild the mess and TasTAFE is now in a stronger position than ever before.
But now it’s time to take the next steps in TasTAFE’s evolution.
The Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania’s CEO Luke Martin said “As an industry we welcome the commitment to reform TasTAFE, which is effectively the reform model our industry sought for Drysdale two-years ago, now being applied across the whole institute".
The National Disability Services (NDS) said “… if TasTAFE being re-established as a government business means it will be more agile in responding to the needs of industry, it is certainly welcome.”
And the TasCOSS CEO, Ms Picone said “…we strongly welcome investment in TasTAFE and look forward to working with them to address the demand for an expanded community services workforce”.
While the Labor party said when the PESRAC interim report was released that the Government must act on the recommendations to achieve the best result for Tasmanians, at their first test, they reject the most overwhelmingly supported recommendation.
TasTAFE must have the autonomy and the workforce flexibility to continuously align its training offering with evolving workforce needs.
It also needs the financial capacity and flexibility to invest in and manage infrastructure best suited to deliver contemporary training.
It is imperative that we do this, otherwise we will deny Tasmanians the opportunity to receive the skills and training that they need to achieve a better life, and secure Tasmania’s future.
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