TAFE Inquiry proposes ‘waves of change’

By Diane Hague

The TAFE Futures Inquiry has made significant recommendations for the TAFE system, coining them as "Waves of Change".

These waves of renewal are under the broad headings:

• a renewed organisational rationale in TAFE
• a renewed relationship with learners in TAFE
• a renewed commitment to access for all to TAFE
• a renewed professionalism for teaching in TAFE
• a renewed resource and funding strategy for TAFE.

The report of the TAFE Futures Inquiry, commissioned by the Australian Education Union, was launched in Canberra by inquiry head Dr Peter Kell on October 18.

Dr Kell travelled Australia in July and August, holding 80 consultations in capital cities, regional centres and by teleconference. The consultations enabled teachers, students, business and community representatives to put their views on the future of TAFE. As well, 102 written submissions were received by the Inquiry.

In launching the report, Dr Kell pointed out the vital contribution of TAFE to education. Students and employers had indicated high levels of satisfaction with the service TAFE provided. Indeed, two thirds of employers want their employees' training done through TAFE.

He noted students are attracted to TAFE because of the hands-on practical skills they acquire and because they are treated like adults. However, student poverty is a stark reality. Students told the inquiry of the difficulties they had in meeting the costs of education and associated expenses. Fees and charges are not seen as being fair, rational or systematic. Teachers' commitment to TAFE was undeniable but they are overstretched and unfairly maligned for their work practices. The casualisation of the TAFE workforce was also highlighted as an issue of concern.

Dr Kell criticised the Federal Government for its hostility to TAFE, seen in its funding policies which marginalise TAFE and favour private providers. In the decade that the government has been in power, federal funding for TAFE has declined dramatically and some 300,000 students have been turned away from TAFE.

ACTU President Sharan Burrow said: "The Howard Government must start to reverse the slide in funding and resources to TAFE colleges which are the backbone of Australia's education and training system."

Unsurprisingly, Federal Minister for Vocational Education and Training Gary Hardgrave, criticised the Kell Report; praised private providers; blamed State Governments for the fact students have been turned away from TAFE; and told TAFE to lift its game in a media release on October 18.

National Australian Education Union TAFE President Linda Simon criticised his comments, stating his media release proved the Federal Government's hostility to TAFE and had failed to tell the correct story on Commonwealth funding.

"The systematic under-funding by the Howard Government of the TAFE system is nothing more than an ideologically driven agenda by a government determined to privatise education and training," Ms Simon said.

The Inquiry's findings will assist in developing the Federation's TAFE election demands for both the state and federal elections in 2007.

The full report of the TAFE Futures Inquiry and all of the submissions are available from the TAFE Futures website at www.tafefutures.org.au.

Diane Hague is the Administration Officer (Media and Communications).

For further information

October 2006 contents