VET DISCUSSION PAPER SUGGESTS POSSIBLE INCREASE IN COSTS TO STUDENTS: NTEU
30 April 2008
The Discussion Paper released today by the Minister for Skills and Workforce Participation, Jacinta Allan, presents a course that, if implemented, could lead to increased costs for students and privatisation of the public sector TAFE the NTEU said today.
“Increasing costs to students will not help solve the skills crisis,” said Matthew McGowan, Victorian Secretary of the NTEU today.
“TAFE has always been open and accessible to students from less well off backgrounds. With significant increases in the costs of housing and other living expenses, this proposal would start the process of replicating the problems faced by students in Universities for students in TAFE.”
He went on to say, “While we welcome the possible increase in funding that may follow. I am concerned that the paper may conceal more than it reveals. Issues buried on page 17 seem to suggest a funding model that could take us further down the road of the privatisation of the TAFE sector.”
“Funding that follows students suggests a voucher system, increasing the price for students to attend TAFE and encouraging students to choose a provider of choice suggests opening up the provision of VET to increased competition between public and private sectors."
“While increasing the cost of students to attend a public TAFE college might make private providers more competitive, one needs to ask what impact this will have on TAFE focus on quality and community engagement.”
“At first reading this paper seems to hide more than it reveals, and the NTEU will be seeking further clarification on the real intention and potential negative impacts of the proposed policies from the Victorian government.”
For more information or comment contact:
Matthew McGowan, Secretary, NTEU Victorian Division Ph: (03) 9254 1930