Get active to oppose war on system

There's much to be done to stop the Federal Government destroying TAFE, writes LINDA SIMON.

There is much teachers can do to stop the Federal Government destroying a system that is so critical for a strong economy and a community that still cares about social justice and TAFE. All members are urged to be part of this campaign, to hold meetings in colleges and to develop strategies aimed at maximising opposition to the Howard Government agenda.

TA Council and Executive meetings will focus strongly on the fight for TAFE.

The Government's policies were developed without any consultation with the TAFE Teachers Association or the Australian Education Union. While this is, of course, no surprise, TAFE activists did seek to make our concerns clear to the Federal Minister for Education, Science and Training on a number of occasions.

During the election both major parties focussed on apprentices (including apprentices and trainees) almost to the exclusion of other students and areas of need. This was supposedly in response to the skills shortages that are being experienced in so many areas, but as teachers know, apprenticeships are not necessarily the only answer. As well as in the traditional trades, there are also shortages in professional and para-professional employment areas. The issue of reskilling mature age workers is at least as important as ensuring that young people have the skills they require for the jobs they want and the economy needs. The Government has promised 4000 more school-based apprenticeships at a cost of $18 million, and $104 million for industry careers advisers. But its main policy announcements strongly reflect the Government's philosophy around privatisation and competition. Prime Minister John Howard believes that the market should be opened to more providers and that there should be greater competition between TAFE colleges and with private providers.

In an attempt to belittle TAFE courses and TAFE teachers, the Federal Education Minister Dr Brendan Nelson said on Melbourne radio on September 27: "But I tell you what, the TAFEs are providing courses in rave party management, fruit carving, belly dancing, feng shui and a whole range of things that, I can tell you, don't have a lot to do with the traditional trades."

It demonstrates the Minister's blinkered view of the TAFE system and what might be encapsulated in hospitality, event management, design and recreational courses, which might include such areas of learning as those he mentions, but are not courses.

As Employment Services and Training shadow minister Anthony Albanese said at the time: "Not satisfied with cutting their funding, Mr Nelson now seeks to demean and degrade the role TAFE plays within local communities and the significant contribution they are making in addressing the skills crisis created by the Howard Government."

In reflection of its philosophy, the Government then announced the establishment of 24 Australian technical colleges at a cost of $289 million over four years. These colleges are supposedly to provide tuition for up to 7200 students in years 11 and 12. They will offer academic studies and vocational education, and each college will specialise in a particular trade, but will offer at least four trades including engineering, vehicle, construction, electrical and commercial cookery. Each college is to be linked with and endorsed by industry, and will have boards with industry, parent and community representation. They will be run autonomously by principals able to engage teaching staff on a performance pay system. Teaching staff will be drawn from industry, schools and the public and private training system.

The Government recognises that if these colleges are to be established on greenfield sites, they will require 12 to 8 months to establish. The colleges will be selected through an open tender process, and be based on partnerships with businesses and educational providers. Tenders will be sought in the following NSW locations: the Hunter, the Illawarra, Queanbeyan, Port Macquarie, Lismore/Ballina, Dubbo, Gosford and Western Sydney.

The colleges will be administered by the Federal Department, bypassing the state governments and without any union involvement. What is interesting is that such a move effectively undermines Australian National Training Authority, Training Packages and the National Training Framework established and so lauded by this Government. One can only wonder where they think this will lead.

Two other Government policies need to be mentioned. The first is the $800 toolbox for new apprentices to be given at the end of six months of their apprenticeship. This is despite the fact that most apprentices receive a tool allowance already. Of greater concern is the role that might be played by the Institute for Trade Skill Excellence, which will provide industry endorsement of qualifications provided by private and public training providers including TAFE, and will designate training providers with "preferred provider" status. It will also establish Industry Reference Groups. Why we need Industry Reference Groups when we have Industry Skills Councils, we might well ask? The Government policy states that the shareholders of the Institute will be the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Australian Industry Group, the Business Council of Australia and the National Farmers' Federation. The Institute will also conduct a competitive merit selection process to reward teaching excellence each year in traditional trades.

The damage that the Howard Government intends to inflict on the public education system and on TAFE as part of it, is clear. With possible control of the Senate, there will be little to stop legislation aimed at maximum damage to public education and the teacher unions that support it.

Linda Simon is TAFE TA Secretary.

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