TAFE Queensland restored as premier provider

The future of TAFE Queensland has been assured after the Palaszczuk Government tonight abolished the body established by the LNP to sell the public vocational education and training network.

 Training and Skills Minister Yvette D’Ath said the abolition of the Queensland Training Assets Management Authority gave Queensland TAFE the certainty needed to play its vital role in the Palaszczuk Government’s jobs strategy as the state’s premier public VET provider.

 In contrast, the LNP confirmed they still believe in their asset sale agenda.

“This is a critical step in implementing our vision to provide world-class training to Queenslanders, no matter where they live or how much money they have,” Ms D’Ath said.

 “TAFE helps individuals by giving them skills to find work. It supports families, strengthens communities and is essential to producing the skilled workforce Queensland needs to keep pace with a transitioning economy.

 “Queensland is our nation’s most decentralised state and we are focussed on supporting families, creating jobs and fostering economic development in regional and rural areas.”

 Mrs D’Ath said the Palaszczuk Government allocated $160 million in 2015-2016 to support TAFE Queensland – stark contrast to the sell-off championed by Newman Government ministers John-Paul Langbroek and Tim Mander.

 “This was an arm of their agenda to privatise public assets,” the minister said.

“Their narrow agenda was to sell taxpayers’ training assets, privatise VET delivery, sack TAFE workers and  kill off TAFE Queensland,” the minister said.

“By contrast, our reforms will create up to 100 new full-time equivalent teaching and support positions and provide more services for disadvantaged learners, schools and ‘second chance’ education.”

 Mrs D’Ath said all training assets held by QTAMA will be transferred to the Department of Education and Training. A 10-year strategic plan will be developed through consultation with stakeholders and an audit of training assets and is expected to be implemented by July 2016.

The TAFE Queensland funding package is part of the $754.6 million investment by the Palaszczuk Government into vocational education and training this financial year, an increase of $139 million, or 22 per cent,  on the LNP budget last year.