Labor welcomes news that the State Government will sign up to the Federal Government's JobTrainer program, but says courses must be provided by TAFE.
Shadow Minister for TAFE, University and Skills Michelle O'Byrne said JobTrainer will only work if the training courses are meaningful and designed to meet the needs of Tasmanian businesses.
"The Federal Government's investment in the JobTrainer program, and the extension of the apprenticeship wage subsidy scheme, is a good start to help train school leavers and re-train people who have lost their jobs as a result of COVID-19," Ms O'Byrne said.
"But it is very light on detail and the suggestion that training may be provided by private companies is concerning and must be ruled out.
"Given that this investment still falls half a billion dollars short of the cuts the Federal Government has made to training, it must be invested wisely, in meaningful courses that provide skills in key industries.
"Training must also be nationally recognised and capable of transitioning people directly into work.
"The State Government must look at the detail of the program to make sure it will deliver what's needed, and it must ensure that training is provided by TAFE."Ms O'Byrne said Tasmanian apprentices and trainees have been heavily impacted by COVID-19.
"There have been nearly 300 suspensions of apprenticeships up to June, and TAFE is currently focussing on third and fourth-year training blocks only.
"This means government funding must support those existing students, as well as providing retraining for people who have lost work as a result of the pandemic and much-needed pathways for young school leavers.
"By adopting Labor's $10 million Free TAFE policy, the government can help get the JobTrainer program up and running in Tasmania to drive qualifications and employment in a post-pandemic society.
"Our policy would provide free courses in key industries facing skills shortages, and is the key to turning Tasmania's TAFE system into the engine room of the economy, driving qualifications and employment.
"As Labor's COVID-19 Recovery Package points out, we need to buy local, build local and employ local and, by making TAFE courses more accessible we can make real progress on Tasmania's recovery.
"We must work together to build a better Tasmania out of the pandemic devastation. We can start by prioritising public training and investing properly in our TAFE system to give everyone a better future."
Michelle O'Byrne MP
Shadow Minister for TAFE, University and Skills
