Captain of industry concerned about TAFE cuts

Posted 23 August 2012 by Carmel Shute (NTEU National Office)

Innes Willox, CEO of the Australian Industry Group debated Dave Noonan, National Secretary the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union, on the topic of “Growing the Australian Economy: a Industry & Union Perspective” at the National Press Club on 22 August.

Willox had some interesting things to say in support of TAFE – please note Mr Baillieu!

Benjamin Press reported in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald the next day (23 August):

“THE leader of Australia's peak industry group has joined a growing number of professional bodies who have raised concerns about cuts to Victoria's TAFE sector. Australian Industry Group chief executive Innes Willox said young people in regional Australia could miss out on developing professional skills because of changes to TAFE funding.

He told the National Press Club the TAFE changes had led to the closure of dozens of courses in regional Victoria. The state government will cut an estimated $300 million from Victoria's TAFE institutes. That figure includes money TAFE colleges used for student services such as libraries and disability support. Many courses such as hospitality will lose funding. But the state government has said it is investing an extra $1 billion over four years in apprenticeships and areas of skills shortage.

Federal Skills Minister Chris Evans seized on the comments and called on the Victorian government to reverse its funding decision.”

Transcript available (for a fee!): http://www.npc.org.au/upcomingspeakers/speakerarchive.html