Wednesday, 27 November 2024

Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE

Kim O’KEEFFE (Shepparton) (19:14): (957) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Skills and TAFE in the other place, and the action I seek is that the minister provide a plan on how Shepparton GOTAFE are going to be able to provide adequate training, considering more than 60 critical jobs are set to be scrapped from Goulburn Ovens TAFE under a major restructure, which will have devastating consequences. Goulburn Ovens TAFE is regional Victoria’s largest education provider. There has been a significant increase in enrolments across its campuses, which are up from 500 to 6500.

Yes, this is the fourth restructure in five years, and it will mean staff numbers have been slashed from 594 to 413 full-time equivalent jobs. National Tertiary Education Union Victorian division secretary Sarah Roberts said:

GOTAFE teachers simply won’t be able to cope with 30 per cent of … staff being cut.

…

These are the devastating … consequences of the chronic underfunding of Victoria’s TAFE system.

None of these reductions make any sense considering the extreme shortage of trade workers and trade teachers and of course the much-needed trade workforce and apprentices. There will be many industries impacted by these job cuts. It is ironic that the Labor government are very aware of the shortage of tradies, which will significantly impact on their target to build 800,000 new houses in the next 10 years. They have raised the issue, with the lack of workforce impacting on the building industry, and yet here they are cutting back on the very industry that can provide the workforce that is needed.

GOTAFE plays a significant role in my electorate, and its vital education opportunities need to continue. We depend on GOTAFE to be able to provide ongoing training to quality staff for many industries and those that are facing significant staff shortages. GOTAFE provides educational and career opportunities and is a critical educational option in regional Victoria. This is a very stressful time for staff, who are facing losing their jobs and uncertainty for the future. If these job losses continue, the economic and educational consequences will be felt through the entire community. This is just another example of where the Allan Labor government cannot manage money and cannot manage GOTAFE, and Victorians are paying the price.