National TAFE Council AGM
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 128 No 4, 9 June 2023, page no.20
QTU TAFE Executive member Scott Green reports back on events at the 2023 AEU National TAFE Council AGM in Melbourne.
The Federal Minister for Skills and Training, Brendan O’Connor (pictured above), addressed this year’s AGM, and it was encouraging to hear him be so supportive in reaffirming the federal government’s focus on TAFE investment, which is vital to the economy. He stated that the Prime Minister visits more TAFE campuses than universities. He also shared that the 180,000 free TAFE places around the states and territories that emerged from the Jobs and Skills Summit were met with a very welcoming response.
He reported that in the 2023 Federal Budget, the Albanese government announced a further 300,000 free TAFE places. The Minister stated that $3.7m was subject to VET sector reform, while the federal government plans to partner with states and territories to increase investment in VET, with a strategic plan on how to invest in skills in renewables to ensure VET and universities work together to deliver energy goals, manufacturing and aged care. Federal, state and territory ministers were due to meet in Darwin on 19 May, with further discussions to be held in June and August.
The Minister went on to say that the working party will also discuss reforms for the next five years and would focus on the need for educators in skill shortage areas. Key discussion topics would include:
- improving completion rates of apprentices, literacy and numeracy, and access to foundation and life skills training
- strengthening partnerships with First Nations people and working on Close the Gap targets to meet skills needs
improving VET data to assist in making timely decisions - VET workforce planning, particularly in areas with shortages in education and training.
On other matters, the NTC AGM called for a comprehensive review of the current TAFE training packages as a vital part of the VET sector reforms, to streamline content and reduce the sheer volume of assessment. This should also ensure better alignment with industry needs and help graduates get into work.
Job and Skills Australia to provide advice to government on current and emerging workforce skills needs draws on the support of stakeholders from business, unions, vocational education and higher education across all states and territories. NTC AGM queried whether JSA’s remit will include the systematic review of competency-based training and training package systems to provide for greater efficiencies and quality improvements. Tying funding to delivery duration and limiting excessive assessments would make a phenomenal difference to the improvement of graduate completion rates. We need to do something to improve students’ transition to the work force during this skills shortage.
In solidarity, we will have to watch this space with keen interest!