Shock at training shake-up

A STATE Government proposal to privatise Victoria’s 33 apprenticeship field officers has blindsided Geelong’s vocational education and training organisations.
The officers (AFOs) investigate disputes between employers and their apprentices or trainees. They also support apprentices or trainees alleging workplace violence and harassment, provide counselling and help training providers with information.
The Barwon South-West region has three AFOs, two in Geelong and one in Warrnambool, seconded to Gordon Institute of TAFE.
The AFOs service about 6500 apprentices and trainees in the region and around 40,000 across the state.
State Government has lodged online an advance tender proposal for “Procurement of Apprenticeship and Traineeship Regulatory Field Services”, to be advertised on Wednesday.
The Independent understands that the tender is aimed at cutting Government spending of $2 million annually on AFOs.
Vocational education and training organisations are concerned the process could result in fewer field officers and reduced support for apprentices and trainees.
Gordon chief Grant Sutherland said he was aware of the proposed tender but not of any changes “to the way these roles will be funded or positioned within the community”.
“We do know that no changes will be made until July 1, so these positions will continue to be based at The Gordon and offer the same service to apprentices and trainees in the region.
A spokesman for training minister Peter Hall had not replied to the Independent’s call for comment when the paper went to press.