TAFE funding damage done

A $200 State Government million TAFE funding announcement has done little to repair the jobs and revenue lost last year, local education union and Gordon Institute representatives believe.
Australian Education Union Geelong branch spokeswoman Rosemary Crowe said the funding was a “positive start” for new Victorian Premier Denis Napthine but only a “small step towards repairing the significant damage last year’s budget cuts [caused]”.
Ms Crowe said the new funding would go towards technology and innovation projects rather than individual institutions’ operational costs.
She said the funding failed to re-employ 2000 Australian teachers who lost their jobs in last year’s cuts and many contract teaching positions failed to be renewed.
“Significant fee increases” had also curtailed prospective students’ plans to study at TAFE, she said.
“These funds are not going to help those students.”
Gordon chief executive Grant Sutherland said the institution “took a long-term approach” to address last year’s cuts and ensure a “financially sustainable future”.
Gordon Institute had to sell assets including its Fenwick St church facility to assist socially disadvantaged students with funding, he said.
But Mr Sutherland remained confident Gordon Institute was “well-positioned” to secure money from the new State Government scheme’s competitive tender.
Mr Sutherland said one of Gordon Institute’s “strategic priorities”, innovation, was a key focus of the tender.
“There are still challenges Gordon faces as State Government transforms the TAFE sector.
“Gordon is in a very strong position and opportunities to tap into the $200 million further adds to this strength,” Mr Sutherland said.