TAFE accepts ‘change’ – MP

By Noel Murphy
TAFE INSTITUTES including Geelong’s Gordon have accepted they need to be revamped, Western Victoria MP Simon Ramsay has told parliament.
Mr Ramsay said his talks with The Gordon chief Grant Sutherland and others had “all led me to believe there is an acceptance that the sector needs an overhaul”.
Mr Ramsay also told the Independent TAFE bureaucracy was “historically” unconducive to “best outcomes for students and course delivery”.
He said a desire to improve the relevance of TAFE courses to employer needs drove the Government’s $300 million funding cut for the sector, including $15 million from The Gordon.
The cuts followed an explosion in enrolments for courses such as fitness and sport coaching by 4000 per cent against a 10 per cent hike in skill-shortage areas such as carpentry, plumbing, construction, nursing and aged care.
Critics also cited providers granting diplomas for 60 to 80 hours’ work despite Australian Qualifications framework demanding 600 to 800.
Mr Ramsay said competition from private course providers also presented difficulties for TAFEs, although about 100 “donkey ones had dropped out already”.
“I think there’s been a general recognition by providers and teachers that there needed to be some reforms of the TAFE sector.”
The tighter TAFE funding models would lead to consolidation of courses across campuses, Mr Ramsay said.
“You’ll see greater partnerships, better quality programs and students better placed to meet job requirements.
“The sector is entering an exciting time in which the methods of old are under scrutiny and new options and arrangements are being drawn up, whether it’s…an alliance with regional TAFEs or partnerships for employers in the Geelong region.”
Mr Sutherland said he had not discussed with Mr Ramsay his reference to TAFEs needing an “overhaul”.
“Huge challenges’’ lay ahead for TAFE institutes, he said.
“These cannot be understated. However, it is important to remember that among all of these difficulties great things continue to happen at The Gordon,” Mr Sutherland said.
The Gordon signed an agreement with Barwon Health to provide workforce development assistance, he revealed.
Mr Sutherland said The Gordon was fighting to minimise the impact of its funding cuts.
The Gordon was preparing a business transition plan to submit to the State Government early next month, he said.