Peter Gutwein,Premier
Jeremy Rockliff,Minister for Education and Training
TasTAFE is in a stronger position than ever before, and since coming to Government we have paid off Labor's debt, invested $41.8 million in new facilities and seen TAFE awarded 7 years accreditation.
Thanks to TAFE's hard work, Tasmania has the highest apprentice and trainee completions rates in Australia, and TAFE students were awarded Australia's Apprentice of the Year and Vocational Student of the Year late last year.
It is now time to take the next steps in TAFE's evolution.
One of the strongest themes in PESRAC is the critical role of skills in building recovery in Tasmania and TasTAFE's central role in this.
We know that our construction sector has a pipeline of work and we are training more Tasmanians as tradies, apprentices and trainees.
To align training with our workforce needs, PESRAC notes TasTAFE must be given autonomy and workforce flexibility. The Government agrees.
The consultation by PESRAC shows overwhelming support for TAFE's greater operational flexibility to ensure training meets the expectations of industry.
That's why we agree with PESRAC that TasTAFE must have the autonomy and the workforce flexibility to continuously align its training offering with evolving workforce needs.
It also needs the financial capacity and flexibility to invest in and manage infrastructure best suited to deliver contemporary training.
PESRAC's recommendation is that the most effective way of achieving the flexibility and agility required, is to make TasTAFE an independent government business.
This gives TasTAFE the tools and resources that other public trading enterprises have including a modern and fit for purpose industrial relations framework.
Under the Fair Work Act of 2009 no teacher or staff member will be disadvantaged by this move.
Through this model the public will have a clearer view of TasTAFE, how it aligns to government priorities to address industry and how it will support emerging business needs.
We have a growing economy, and there are local jobs to be had.
We have emerging industries with new jobs on the horizon, and we must act now to make sure Tasmanians have the best access to industry-endorsed training that is fit for purpose.
It's time to take action and build a bolder TasTAFE with a smart approach to delivering hands-on training through courses that best equip Tasmanians to gain a job.
