The Australian Education Union has launched a campaign to support TasTAFE and stop the privatisation of TAFE proposed by the Tasmanian Liberal Government.
“Tasmania’s public TAFE delivers high quality training and education with the highest student satisfaction rates and top apprentice completion rates nationally,” said Simon Bailey, AEU Tasmania TAFE President.
“The Liberal Government’s case for privatisation is a disaster for Tasmania based on myths and mistakes.”
A petition has been launched online at: savetastafe.org.au
The petition demands the Tasmanian Liberal Government withdraw their TasTAFE privatisation plan and sit down with hardworking TasTAFE teachers and support staff to hear how we can rebuild Tasmania’s economy with TAFE training and education leading the way.
“As a TasTAFE teacher, I work closely with local industry to deliver the training and education they need in a workforce. For years I’ve pushed TasTAFE management to deliver the courses demanded by students and employers and I’ve sat down with government to discuss how TasTAFE can provide flexible training options.”
“If there is a block to delivering additional training spots, or a lack of flexibility to meet employers’ needs, it comes from the government or TasTAFE management, not teachers or the fact we are proudly public and not-for-profit.”
“Deliberate underfunding from governments has already resulted in TAFE courses being cut and smaller regional communities and businesses losing quality training options.”
“Our TAFE needs more government investment, not the Liberal Party’s privatisation plan that will shift costs to students and employers, delay economic recovery and diminish training and education.”
Similar TAFE privatisation plans in South Australia resulted in the closure of multiple regional campuses and large job losses.
“TasTAFE teachers and support staff understand the needs of their industries and students. We know how important we are to Tasmania’s economic recovery.”
“Instead of working together to ensure Tasmanians have the training and skills for our COVID-19 recovery, the Tasmanian Liberal Government has declared war on TAFE teachers and support staff with an ideological privatisation plan that will only delay economic recovery.”
