TAFE teachers return to Canberra

By Linda Simon

For the fourth year running, TAFE teachers from around the country recently descended on Canberra to lobby politicians about TAFE issues.

Whereas four years ago, many politicians knew little about TAFE, activists' actions have resulted in increased awareness. TAFE activists still struggle to make the TAFE sector as prominent in politicians' thinking as schools and universities, but support for TAFE comes from all sides of Parliament House.

This year 14 TAFE activists and Officers attended a two day seminar on March 30 and 31, with activists from the other states and territories. Meetings were set up with more than 40 politicians from NSW, more than ever before. TAFE activists sought a commitment to:

• recognising and supporting TAFE as the major provider of vocational education and training
• supporting TAFE's role in training and education for employment, career development and for second chance and further education
• increased funding -- the Australian Education Union's claim is for an additional $1080 million
• additional funding for continued growth and unmet demand
• freezing and reviewing user choice
• capping fees and charges for TAFE courses in the Australian National Training Authority (ANTA) agreement
• additional funding for quality improvement programs
• funding for an education equity program.

Most politicians agreed that TAFE deserved a higher profile and more funding, but activists still await actual promises. The ALP has so far agreed to fund an additional 20,000 student places per year.

Perhaps the highlight of the two days was the vocational education and training (VET) round table and dinner. Spokespeople were Anthony Albanese MP for the ALP, Senator Kerry Nettle for the Greens and Lyn Allison for the Democrats, along with a range of industry representatives. But there was no Education Minister, Dr Brendan Nelson. He was invited to the round table and dinner, and if he was not able to attend on the night, to speak to National TAFE Council Executive at any time on the Thursday or Friday. He did not make himself available at any time. The round table was provocative and entertaining, with a variety of views on VET presented. It was particularly special because it took place in Parliament House itself, and participants were able to sit around the front benches and enjoy the debate.

One of the major issues activists raised related to additional funding for growth and to address skills shortages. The recent Senate Inquiry into skills shortages, the report from which is entitled "Bridging the skills divide", has made a number of very important recommendations in relation to identification of skills supply and demand, the abuse of new apprenticeships, the need for incentives for apprenticeships at Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Certificate 5 level and above, the funding of partnerships between the educational sectors, improvements to the Job Network, reviewing of user choice, further consideration of the employability skills framework, review of skills centres, and the role of industry and other stakeholders. These need to be taken up by any Federal Government. But most importantly, recommendation 22 states: "The committee recommends that, in the context of the next ANTA agreement: the Commonwealth recognises its responsibilities for providing funding for growth and unmet demand for VET and agrees to increase funding accordingly." Taken together with the decision of the Ministerial Council (MINCO) on November 21, consisting of all state and territory ministers and the Federal Minister, that "discussion of resourcing requirements for VET affirm the predominant role of TAFE in the Australian VET system", TAFE should receive far greater Federal funding in a new ANTA agreement.

However, this is not the case. The Federal Government has refused to provide this additional growth funding, and the statement from Dr Nelson on April 6 seeks to address skills shortages in the trades areas with shorter apprenticeships and specialised apprenticeship pathways in some areas. In other words, less education and training for Australian workers. The Minister's press release does not even recognise the need for additional funding for TAFE to provide any additional education or training. And we know how TAFE NSW is suffering at this time.

The Canberra trip started the campaign, and the next couple of months will be crucial for all TAFE TA members to raise funding, growth, TAFE and skills shortages with Federal members of Parliament and local candidates.

No shows

Linda Simon is the TAFE TA Secretary and Federal TAFE President.

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May 2004 contents