New TAFE Queensland leads VET reform

The Newman Government is pushing ahead with its plan to revitalise vocational education and training (VET) by introducing legislation today to establish a new TAFE Queensland as an independent statutory body.

Minister for Education, Training and Employment John-Paul Langbroek said the Newman Government would establish the new parent entity on 1 July 2013 to manage all TAFE institutes.

“This is a major achievement and the first milestone for our plan to revitalise vocational education and training in Queensland,” Mr Langbroek said.

“Up until now, the Government has been both a purchaser of training and a provider of training.

“Through the Queensland Skills and Training Taskforce we undertook extensive consultation with industry and they told us that we should keep TAFE at arm’s length from the government to enable it to thrive in an increasingly competitive training market.

“We have accepted the Taskforce’s recommendation and we are now in the process of setting up TAFE Queensland, which will be stronger and more responsive to the skills and training needs of students and industry.”

Mr Langbroek said one of the first tasks would be to recruit up to nine board members with high level commercial experience and in-depth knowledge of VET for the TAFE Queensland board.

“This board will determine the new organisational structure of TAFE Queensland so it is important that we have the right mix of commercial skills and experience, balanced with an understanding of Queensland’s rapidly changing training market.

“I will appoint the interim CEO, however all future CEO appointments will be made by the board to reflect the independent nature of the new TAFE Queensland.

“There will be a 12 month transitional phase after TAFE Queensland is formally established on 1 July 2013, during which it will be business as usual for all TAFE staff and students.”

Mr Langbroek said the revitalisation of TAFE was central to the Newman Government’s VET reform agenda.

“Our VET reform agenda will help to lift training participation and completion rates, particularly in regional Queensland, where the population can be quite transient, especially among young apprentices and trainees,” he said.

“The Newman Government is committed to reforming VET in Queensland to help build a four pillar economy and reduce unemployment.”

[ENDS] 16 April 2013

Media contact: Danita Goodwin 0439 886 652