Newman Government achieves first milestone in VET reform

The Newman Government has passed new legislation to establish a new TAFE Queensland as an independent statutory body.

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

“Establishing TAFE Queensland will position our public provider to deliver training that meets the needs of students and industry and contributes to better employment outcomes for Queenslanders,” Mr Langbroek said.

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

Mr Langbroek said and the Queensland Skills and Training Taskforce 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.

“Up until now the government has been both a purchaser and provider of training,” he said. 

“By setting up TAFE Queensland as an independent statutory body we 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 levels of 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,” Mr Langbroek said.

“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] 24 May 2013

Media contact: Danita Goodwin 0439 886 652