Media Coverage of TAFE Cuts 26-28 June 2012
Private providers surge ahead
by: Bernard Lane, June 27, 2012 12:00AM
PRIVATE higher education has grown so rapidly that it now represents 50 per cent of providers and 10 per cent of students, according to a new analysis. When TAFEs and theology colleges are included, the broad non-university sector accounted for more than $290 million of the $1 billion in FEE-HELP loan funding last year.
"Almost a third of FEE-HELP funding goes to non-university providers -- that's a significant statistic," said researcher Peter Ryan, whose analysis leads the first edition of the ACPET Journal for Private Higher Education, published today by the peak private education body.
Bendigo joins the TAFE race to slash jobs
by: John Ross, June 27, 2012 12:00AM
BENDIGO is the latest Victorian TAFE to cut jobs, with the small regional cash-strapped institute announcing plans to shed 100 staff.
The revelation has prompted speculation that TAFEs, struggling with budget cuts estimated at $300 million, may need help to sack their own staff.
Ballarat Uni cuts 40 TAFE courses as it splits training in wake of Victorian funding cuts
by: Andrew Trounson, June 27, 2012 12:00AM
BALLARAT has become the latest region to be hit by massive state government funding cuts, with its dual-sector university shedding courses in areas like hospitality, business, arts and racing.
The university had previously warned that reduced government funding will cost it $20 million, representing about a 40 per cent cut to its TAFE funding. Earlier this week it opened a voluntary redundancy program but the university hasn’t put a target number on job losses.
TAFE courses go in shake-up
Updated June 27, 2012 08:56:41
The National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) says the University of Ballarat has slashed 40 TAFE courses as a result of Victorian Government funding cuts.
The university will stop teaching the courses and will streamline the TAFE to address the loss of $20 million in State Government funding.
http://www.theage.com.au/national/education/university-shifts-tafe-focus-20120626-20zvg.html
University shifts TAFE focus
Benjamin Preiss, June 26, 2012
The University of Ballarat will overhaul its TAFE arm to focus on apprenticeships in response to the state government funding cuts. The university revealed today it would open an industry skills centre offering a range of courses, including engineering, manufacturing, agriculture, baking, beauty and hospitality.
Vice-chancellor David Battersby said the university was targeting the skills needs of employers in the region.
Cardinia Shire: support for study on TAFE fund cuts
BY JAMES TAYLOR
26 Jun, 2012 04:00 AM
CARDINIA Shire will support research into the impact of raising the cost and reducing the number of TAFE courses in Victoria.
The shire is part of the South East Metro Councils group, which is studying the effects of $300million TAFE funding cuts in the state budget.
Chief executive officer Gary McQuillan's request to contribute to the study was raised as a matter of urgent business at a council meeting last week and unanimously supported by councillors.
www.abc.net.au/local/photos/2012/06/26/3533335.htm
26 June, 2012 3:42PM AEST
Printing the future of the Latrobe Valley
The Global Studio in Morwell, is a workshop and studio that supports people from culturally diverse backgrounds, and others, identified as at risk of social isolation. We called by to learn about one of its newest program, Print the Future and heard about how its students will be affected by the funding cuts to TAFE….
University of Ballarat voluntary redundancies under way
TOM MCILROY, 26 Jun, 2012 11:59 PM
A PROCESS of voluntary redundancies is under way at the University of Ballarat, following $20 million in funding cuts from the Victorian government.
While the total number of job losses will not be known for at least three weeks, UB yesterday revised down the total number of courses being discontinued to 40.
http://www.mmg.com.au/local-news/echuca/two-echuca-tafe-courses-to-be-cut-1.22096
Two Echuca TAFE courses to be cut
By Ruth Clayton, JUNE 27, 2012 4:14am
A further two Echuca-based Bendigo TAFE courses will be scrapped and a staff member made redundant. Certificate II in Hospitality (Kitchen Operations) will cease to operate after June 30 and Certificate III in Media will cease to operate in December, according to a Bendigo TAFE spokesperson.
The decision comes after the TAFE undertook a review of the impact of recent Victorian Government Budget cuts.
TAFE cuts woes: Students tell of social disadvantage.
BY GRAEME O’NEILL
27 Jun, 2012 04:00 AM
SEVERAL current and former students of the Sunraysia Institute of TAFE told a meeting at the institute last night of their concerns that draconian cuts to TAFE funding posed a threat to the Sunraysia community’s ability to cope with its substantial problems of social disadvantage.
The meeting was organised by a touring party of members of the Victorian Opposition, comprising Shadow Treasurer Tim Holding, the Northern Victorian representative in the Legislative Council, Candy Broad, and fellow MLC Jaala Pulford.
http://www.bendigoweekly.com.au/news/tafe-war-heats-up
TAFE WAR HEATS UP
Bendigo Weekly | Bendigo Weekly | 26-Jun-2012
BENDIGO TAFE chief executive officer Maria Simpson has fired the first shots in what is setting out to be a tough fight with private vocational trainers.
About $9 million has been ripped out of Bendigo TAFE's budget as part of the redistribution of vocational education and training finding by the State Government.
To see the full interview go to www.bendigoiptv.com
Council may regret lack of action on TAFE cuts
25 Jun, 2012 02:33 PM
I WAS disappointed to say the least that some councillors wouldn't pass a motion to condemn the Bailliue government for cutting the heart out of the TAFE sector.
Places like SMB Campus play an important role in our community and cutting the education budget is nothing more than a disgrace.
Diploma 'HECS' a tenth of HE loans
by: John Ross, June 28, 2012 12:00AM
THE 'HECS for skills' scheme hands out just a tenth of the value of the loans going to its higher education equivalent, even though the private vocational training sector is far bigger than private higher education.
A consultant’s report on the VET FEE-HELP scheme, released following a freedom of information request by The Australian, found that just over $100 million was loaned in 2010 to meet the up-front costs of full-fee diplomas and graduate certificates.
By contrast the FEE-HELP scheme, which covers full-fee undergraduate and postgraduate courses, paid out $1 billion last year.
http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2012/06/27/3533833.htm
Latrobe Valley community vow to fight TAFE funding cuts
By Rhiana Whitson (ABC Gippsland) 27 June, 2012 10:34AM AEST
A Latrobe Valley community action group has been formed to fight against state government cuts to TAFE.
About 200 people attended a community forum on the impact of TAFE funding cuts at Latrobe City Council offices.
The group, made up of current and former TAFE employees, Gippsland Trades and Labour Council, unions and the general public will lobby the state government to reverse funding cuts to TAFE.
TAFE cuts will hit Ballarat hard: King
TOM MCILROY, 28 Jun, 2012 01:00 AM
BALLARAT’S federal representative Catherine King is the latest critic of the Victorian government’s cuts to the TAFE sector.
Ms King said the cuts would hit the region hard, despite a restructure of the University of Ballarat announced yesterday to accommodate the cuts.
Bendigo MP launches TAFE petition
BRETT WORTHINGTON, 28 Jun, 2012 04:00 AM
BENDIGO West MP Maree Edwards has launched a petition that calls on the state government to reinstate TAFE funding.
The Labor politician took to the Hargreaves Mall to ask for support for her petition, which calls on the government to guarantee it will maintain Tafe funding into the future.
Local News: Easymix Ten-71 Central Victoria & 98.3fm Bendigo, Wednesday, 27 June 2012 07:24
Tafe Cuts Defended
Damian Drum has defended the State Governments Tafe cuts.
The Nationals upper house MP claimed the situation regarding the cuts wasn't ideal but was important for getting the Victorian Government finances back in order.
Local News: Easymix Ten-71 Central Victoria & 98.3fm Bendigo, Wednesday, 27 June 2012 07:24
Uni Praised for Tafe Funding Cuts Response
Ballarat Uni has been praised by the State Government for the way its handling funding cuts to Tafe
A group of University Representatives yesterday met with Victorian Higher Education Minister Peter Hall .
http://www.colacherald.com.au/2012/06/tafe-cuts-might-hit-colac-trade-training/
TAFE cuts might hit Colac trade training
By Jennifer Chiu, June 27th 2012
COLAC education leaders say discovering the impact of state-wide TAFE funding cuts on the city’s trade training centre will be a “waiting game”.
Construction on Colac Secondary College’s part of the city’s trade training centre, for automotive and construction trades, will begin in about two weeks.
http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2012/06/27/501431_business-news.html
No Govt support for farming courses
Chris McLennan | June 27, 2012
COOKERY classes attract more Victorian Government support than agriculture.
New course subsidies for vocational education show a large gap between farming and most other "essential" trades.
The release of the rates flies in the face of repeated government statements about investment in agricultural skills.
