Media Coverage of TAFE Cuts, 7-9 August 2012
http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2012/s3562790.htm
Vocational training faces fleecing and cuts
Australian Broadcasting Corporation Broadcast: 07/08/2012. Reporter: Caro Meldrum-Hanna
Trade schools around Australia are having the prospect of funding cuts exacerbated by claims that unscrupulous companies are misusing training incentives.
Transcript
LEIGH SALES, PRESENTER: If you were shocked by stories of private colleges offering cut-price diplomas to international students, wait for this. Tonight we reveal allegations that young Australians are being exploited by a new wave of training companies. 7.30 has been investigating the booming industry of private apprenticeship training. Companies offer cheap and speedy qualifications to young trainees for a price. There are now more than 5,000 of these providers across Australia funded by both Federal and state governments. It's a multimillion dollar market, but is the system being scammed? Caro Meldrum-Hanna reports.
Further threat to Victorian TAFEs
by: Andrew Trounson, August 08, 2012 12:00AM
VICTORIA'S share of federal incentive funding for vocational reforms could be at risk unless it relents on cuts to its public TAFE sector, federal Tertiary Education Minister Chris Evans warned yesterday.
"The commonwealth can't be expected to increase funding and continue to invest in public TAFEs if that money is going straight out of the budgets of the TAFEs as a result of the state government pulling their money out," Senator Evans said.
http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2012/08/08/342845_news.html
TAFE deal aids shift from factory to health jobs
Mandy Squires | August 8th, 2012
A PARTNERSHIP between Barwon Health and The Gordon TAFE is set to position Geelong as a national health training leader.
The organisations signed a historic memorandum of understanding (MoU) yesterday morning to provide health training to meet the demands of the region's ageing population into the future.
http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2012/08/07/3562369.htm
Ballarat University proposes 'super TAFE' for regional Victoria
By Jarrod Watt (Multiplatform editor, Victoria), 7 August, 2012 2:26PM AEST
Professor David Battersby, vice-chancellor of the University of Ballarat, is proposing a new umbrella group, 'The Menzies Alliance', to bring together six regional institutes and their 28 different campuses to consolidate VET education in Victoria, based on the 'Star Alliance' model used by airlines.
"In some ways it's already in place now, because we've been given a grant of $25 million by the Commonwealth Government to work in close partnersip with six regional TAFE institutes, and that's provided us with a good platform, and that platform is about the joint delivery of University of Ballarat degree programs through the TAFE institutes, so it's not too far removed then to look at the delivery of vocational education and training programs through that partnership arrangement."
http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2012/08/07/3562176.htm
University could save TAFE
By ABC Ballarat, ABC Gippsland 7 August, 2012 11:08AM AEST
Victoria's regional TAFE system could be saved by joining forces with the University of Ballarat.
The 'Menzies Alliance' would see the University and TAFE colleges share resources and potentially revive some of the courses cut under the Victorian State Government's new funding regime.
Report includes audio of Peter Heilbuth, chief executive of Advance TAFE, talking to ABC Gippsland's Celine Foenander, Colin Long from the National Tertiary Education Union talking with ABC Gippsland's Celine Foenander, Professor David Battersby from Ballarat University talking with ABC Ballarat's Prue Bentley
TAFE considers alliance options
Updated August 08, 2012 08:58:15
The Wodonga Institute of TAFE is continuing to explore a number of options after the Victorian Government announced funding cuts earlier this year.
The TAFE expects to lose more than $7 million a year as part of cuts to TAFE across Victoria.
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8512249/vic-govt-must-support-tafe-sector-evans
Vic govt must support TAFE sector: Evans
13:35 AEST Tue Aug 7 2012
The federal funding model for Victorian TAFEs could be reassessed if the state government continues to cut money from the sector, a federal minister says.
Tertiary Education Minister Chris Evans said the Victorian government's move to cut $290 million from TAFE funding in the 2012/13 budget was counter-productive to federal plans to grow the sector.
HAVE YOUR SAY: Moorabbin TAFE helps nurse ambitions
8 Aug 12 @ 05:00am by Jessica Bennett
MOORABBIN is officially home to Australia's first TAFE nursing graduates.
Holmesglen's landmark Bachelor of Nursing program has celebrated its inaugural graduating class, with the students the first in Australia to gain nursing degrees at a TAFE.
http://frankston-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/rally-to-protest-frankston-tafe-funding-cuts/
Rally to protest Frankston TAFE funding cuts
7 Aug 12 @ 04:34pm by Deborah Morris
ABOUT 150 people marched on Frankston MP Geoff Shaw’s office today to protest against cuts to TAFE funding.
Chanting “Save TAFE, Sack Ted”, Frankston Chisholm students and staff took over Young St after gathering earlier at Samuel Sherlock reserve.
http://www.bordermail.com.au/story/182105/tafe-looks-to-a-flying-start/?cs=48
TAFE looks to ‘a flying start’
By NIGEL MCNAY, Aug. 8, 2012, midnight
As reported in The Border Mail yesterday, the University of Ballarat is pushing to create an umbrella TAFE network called the Menzies University concept.
Wodonga Institute of TAFE chief executive Michael O’Loughlin said Wodonga was already involved with Ballarat in a “dual sector” partnership.
State Government's slash to Victoria's TAFE Systems: Reinstate Government Funding for Skills Training
Petitioning
Many people are losing jobs, or being denied skills training and therefore cannot further their education, making it near impossible to get jobs. This is also closing TAFE campus's when Skills Training is needed more than ever!
http://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/178612/reports-of-super-tafe-for-bendigo/
Reports of 'super TAFE' for Bendigo
By Brett Worthington, Aug. 7, 2012, 12:01 p.m.
LABOR MP Maree Edwards has slammed reports Bendigo TAFE could join with six other institutions to form a “super TAFE”.
The Ballarat Courier this morning reported Ballarat University was in talk with six TAFEs to form a new partnership as early as next year.
http://www.bendigoweekly.com.au/news/tafe-idea-only-discussion
TAFE IDEA 'ONLY DISCUSSION'
Bendigo Weekly | Bendigo Weekly | 07-Aug-2012
BENDIGO TAFE has described as “very early stage” any discussions about joining other regional TAFEs to deliver some subjects.
University of Ballarat’s vice chancellor Professor David Battersby told ABC Radio today the two organisations, as well as Wodonga, Sunraysia and Gippsland TAFEs had received Federal Government funding to see whether they would work together to deliver Vocational Education and Training subjects.
http://www.standard.net.au/story/175947/ballarat-university-proposes-rural-tafe-network/?cs=72
Ballarat University proposes rural TAFE network
By PETER COLLINS and BENJAMIN PREISS, Aug. 7, 2012, midnight
SOUTH West TAFE is sticking to its partnership with Deakin University despite Ballarat University forging a proposed network with six other institutes to form a new Menzies University.
The Warrnambool-based TAFE with campuses in Portland, Hamilton and Glenormiston forged its link with Deakin more than a decade ago and continues to strengthen ties.
http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2012/08/09/3563904.htm
Super TAFE plans welcomed, but Federal Government plans retaliation for cuts
By ABC Ballarat, 9 August, 2012 9:19AM AEST
Federal Education Minister Chris Evans and State Education Minister Peter Hall discuss proposed plans for a statewide 'super-TAFE' by the University of Ballarat. Hear how the Federal Government is planning retaliation against the Baillieu Government for the $300 million it has cut from the vocational education system across Victoria, and how State Education Minister Hall thinks face-to-face teaching is not impacted by $300 million in cuts.
The proposal by University of Ballarat vice-chancellor David Battersby to form an alliance of TAFEsacross the state much like the 'Star Alliance' model for airlines has received qualified support from the nation's Education Minister, Chris Evans, and pointed reference to the reasons why the idea has been proposed.
http://www.warragulcitizen.com/local/proposed-tafe-alliance-includes-gippstafe207/
Proposed TAFE alliance includes GippsTAFE
Wednesday, August 8th, 2012 at 12:43 PM
A PROPOSED PARTNERSHIP between six regional TAFE institutes and a regional university will attempt to stop course closures resulting from recent funding cuts.
The ‘Menzies Alliance,’ proposed by the University of Ballarat, would unite GippsTAFE with institutes in Bendigo, Ballarat, Sunraysia and Woodonga with the aim of combining under-enrolled classes so they can run.
http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2012/s3563622.htm
Vocational education regulators face more testing times
Australian Broadcasting Corporation Broadcast: 08/08/2012. Reporter: Caro Meldrum-Hanna
More reports of unscrupulous vocational training organisations have come up after 7.30's report on the issue last night.
Transcript
LEIGH SALES, PRESENTER: Last night 7:30 reported allegations that apprentices are are being ripped off by privately run training schemes that have moved in on a market once dominated by traditional TAFE colleges.
As a result of that story there's now an investigation under way and 7:30 has received dozens of emails suggesting dodgy training schemes are rife across the country.
http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2012/08/09/343165_news.html
Push for special consideration
Shane Fowles | August 9th, 2012
A forum at Geelong West Town Hall last night discussed the impacts of TAFE funding cuts.
THE Gordon TAFE expects to announce another wave of job losses at the end of this month as it determines its future in the face of slashed industry funding.
VIDEO: Rally fights closure of Swinburne Lilydale
8 Aug 12 @ 01:34pm by staff writer
UPDATE 3.30pm: A CROWD of about 400 people marched through Lilydale today to protest the closure of the Swinburne Lilydale campus.
The heavy rain did not stop the passionate crowd from marching from the campus in Melba Ave to Evelyn state Liberal MP Christine Fyffe's office in the Lilydale Main St, protesting the State Government's cuts to TAFE funding.
http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/167557/convenient-memory-lapse-on-funding/?cs=65
Convenient memory lapse on funding
Letter from Simon Ramsay, Aug. 3, 2012, 11:38 a.m.
I would like to respond to Geoff Howard's letter 'Baillieu's cuts will have drastic effect' (July 30).
Geoff Howard's hypocrisy knows no bounds as he busily criticises government MPs for the government's new funding regime for the VET sector.
http://www.3ba.com.au/index.php/news/16981-ballarat-uni-accused-of-bendigo-tafe-takeover
Ballarat Uni Accused Of Bendigo TAFE Takeover
Bendigo West MP Maree Edwards has hit out at reports Ballarat University is planning on taking over Bendigo TAFE.
MS Edwards Claimed the State Governments recent TAFE Cuts had forced regional universities into a corner.
http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/183569/blame-game-on-tafe-cuts-a-distraction/?cs=65
Blame game on TAFE cuts a distraction
Letter from Belinda Coates, Aug. 8, 2012, 12:04 p.m.
In his recent letter (The Courier, August 3) Simon Ramsay enters into a blame game and attempts to again distract from the devastating impact of the Baillieu government's TAFE cuts.
By denouncing criticism of the Baillieu government as "political opportunism" he demonstrates a lack of empathy for the people in his electorate who will be affected by the TAFE cuts.
http://thecityjournal.net/news/commonwealth-slams-victorian-tafe-cuts/
Commonwealth slams Victorian TAFE cuts
Freya Cole , Wednesday, August 8th, 2012
Minister for Tertiary Education Chris Evans. PHOTO: Freya Cole
The Federal Government has publicly criticised the Baillieu government for its $300 million funding cuts for Victorian TAFE yesterday in a forum for students and their families.
Minister for Tertiary Education Chris Evans said the Commonwealth was committed to help fund TAFE institutions, but not if the State Government continued to make severe funding cuts.
http://www.warragulcitizen.com/local/no-firm-decision-on-wattleseed-training-restaurants-future208/
‘No firm decision’ on Wattleseed Training Restaurant’s future
By William Kulich, 8 August 2012, 4.07pm.
THE FUTURE OF GippsTAFE Warragul’s Wattleseed Training Restaurant remains in doubt despite the TAFE announcing its Morwell restaurant will remain open.
GippsTAFE announced its Waratah Training Restaurant in Morwell will stay open last month after funding cuts threatened the future of the facility.
http://thecityjournal.net/news/more-job-losses-ahead-at-swinburne-tafe/
More job losses ahead at Swinburne TAFE
by Nikita McInnes, Wednesday, August 8th, 2012
Swinburne Univeristy has today confirmed some TAFE teachers will not have their fixed-term contracts renewed and some casual staff could lose work in addition to the 240 job redundancies already announced.
These additional job losses come as hundreds of students rallied at Swinburne’s Lilydale campus today to protest against its closure. ….
Rallies across Victoria
Rallies at RMIT University’s city campus and Chisholm TAFE in Frankston this week drew supporters from across inner city Melbourne.
The Lilydale campus rally is the final ahead of the National Tertiary Education Union’s (NTEU) last planned protest next Thursday on the lawns of the Victorian State Library.
View TAFE protests Victoria in a larger map
NTEU head of Victoria Colin Long said he hopes the protests will ignite other community campaigns.
“Most stand-alone TAFEs don’t have their own student associations…students need to rally and remember that even if their TAFE course is not cut this will still mean increases to all TAFE fees.”
http://the-scan.com/2012/08/08/vic-govt-must-support-tafe/
Vic govt “must support TAFE”
AAP 08/08/2012 By intermediatescan
The Victorian government’s move to cut $290 million from TAFE funding in the 2012/13 budget is counter-productive to federal plans to grow the sector and accordingly the Commonwealth funding model for Victorian TAFEs could be reassessed if the state government continues to cut money from the sector, Tertiary Education Minister Chris Evans said after a series of meetings in Melbourne.
Senator Evans stopped short of threatening to pull federal funding but said there were “other levers” the commonwealth could use to pressure the Baillieu government.
Public rally over brutal TAFE cuts
Growing concerns about savage cuts to TAFE funding, and the impact it’s had on Geelong’s Gordon TAFE, have prompted a public meeting.
The local TAFE has had to sack staff and axe courses after being stripped of millions of dollars in state funding.
Other TAFE colleges have suffered even more, with many forced to close campuses and cut student accommodation.
GEELONG mayor JOHN MITCHELL organised tonight's public forum in response to a public outcry:
listen here
Baillieu's budget axe slashes more Geelong jobs
More voluntary redundancies will be called at Geelong's Gordon TAFE by the end of this month.
Gordon CEO Grant Sutherland has told a public meeting overnight the call for redundancies will be made within weeks, as the college struggles to deal with funding cuts by the state government in this year's budget.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dC09rC5qB5U
RMIT TAFE cuts
Published on Aug 2, 2012 by SquirrelMain
Students, teachers and union activists protest against the TAFE cuts at RMIT on 02/08/12 at noon. Jointly organised by the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) Victorian Division and the Australian Education Union (AEU). sqmain.blogspot.com.au
Office: 1st floor, 120 Clarendon St
South Melbourne Vic 3205 Get map
Phone: (03) 9254 1930
Email: vic@nteu.org.au
