Greater Collaboration Should Not Result in Less Diversity - or Increased Costs to Students
August 19 2002
The NTEU believes the latest Crossroads discussion paper sends the wrong message by equating increased cooperation between the higher and vocational sectors with a one-size fits all approach and through its support for introducing HECS-style loans for TAFE students.
“While the seventh and last discussion paper of the higher education review contains some useful suggestions for creating clearer, more easily accessible pathways and modes of cooperation between vocational and higher education, this should not result in a one-size fits all model for post-secondary education,” said Dr Carolyn Allport, NTEU President.
“This includes the idea, floated in the paper, of charging students HECS-style fees for TAFE and vocational education courses.”
“TAFE and VET are essential for improving the skills base of Australia’s workforce,” said Dr Allport. “Introducing an income contingent loan similar to the HECS fee paid by university students, definitely sends the wrong message to those entering vocational education, particularly mature aged students.”
“In this regard, it is worth emphasising that all the major players involved in TAFE, including the state governments who fund it, have rejected the notion of introducing income contingent loans for those attending vocational education.”
“The other issue not touched upon by the discussion paper is the need for increased Government resources to be channeled towards vocational education.”
“It takes cold, hard cash, if the Government wishes to extend the benefits of post-secondary education to achieve its often talked about ‘life long learning’ objectives."
“This is particularly the case if, as the paper discusses, the Government is considering extending higher education funding arrangements to certain diploma-level qualifications offered by vocational private providers."