On National TAFE Day the CPSU NSW has welcomed the Albanese Government's announcement of 180,000 additional fee-free TAFE places. The new places come on top of 465,000 fee-free TAFE places announced prior to the 2022 federal election. "It's refreshing to have a federal government that realises Australia is facing a massive skills shortage and wants to work with business and governments to invest in training," said CPSU NSW Assistant National Secretary Troy Wright. "But the reality is, if we're serious about fixing the skills shortage, we need to dramatically rethink how we fund vocational training and stop decades of underinvestment in TAFE. "Funding arrangements that preference shonky private training providers have demonstrably failed to deliver quality education outcomes for students and the workforce needs of Australian business. The solution is staring us in face: TAFE. "We should be investing in a well-resourced TAFE, with modern infrastructure, and critically, the staff who make quality education possible. "Now more than ever, we need government's at all levels to step-up and Rebuild Our TAFE."
The CPSU NSW and NSW Teachers Federation will be celebrating National TAFE Day on 6 September with a BBQ at Tighes Hill TAFE Campus, Newcastle, between 11-1pm. All welcome.
