The NSW Teachers Federation has welcomed the Albanese Government’s announcement of a National Skills Agreement with state and territory governments to invest billions in new funding for vocational education and training.
$100 million will go towards supporting and growing the TAFE teaching workforce.
Gilmore MP Fiona Phillips has used Parliament to condemn the former Liberal Federal and State Governments over what she said was the decimation of the TAFE system.
In 2012 TAFE NSW employed 17,104 teachers and educators but by March 2023 this number had been slashed by the previous NSW LNP government to just 8,262.
“Under the State and Federal Liberal Governments I saw TAFE decimated,” Phillips said.
“There’s one thing my communities fully understand, and that is the importance of TAFE, they know that rebuilding TAFE is essential to make sure we have people trained in essential jobs.”
A former TAFE teacher herself – Ms Phillips said rebuilding TAFE is essential to make sure there are people trained in essential jobs.
“It’s why in New South Wales 100,000 people have enrolled with our fee-free TAFE, helping ease the cost of living. It’s why we’ve committed over 300,000 fee-free TAFE places from 2024.”
“The National Skills Agreement, will see TAFE back at the cornerstone where it belongs.”
“My message for employers is that this National Skills Agreement is about to turbocharge training and TAFE and lift workforce participation. That’s great for individuals, employers and all our communities.”
The NSW Teachers Federation said it is heartened by the National Skills Agreement’s focus on economic inclusion for women, mature age Australians, young people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, First Nations people, people with a disability, and regional workers.
Image: James Fennessy – East Coast Radio, Fiona Phillips MP
