From the President

TAFE Works delivering results

By Pat Byrne President

The McGowan Government’s recent announcement of a $229 million investment in TAFE represents not just a massive boon for vocational education and training in WA, but a vindication of the SSTUWA’s long-running TAFE Works campaign.

TAFE Works has, along with the hard work of our TAFE reps, now delivered two huge wins in the past year with state government announcements reducing TAFE fees and the more recent Rebuilding our TAFEs program.

There is no doubt that a need to reinvigorate the state economy in the wake of COVID-19 has accelerated these changes but the union can be proud of the role it has played in keeping TAFE at the forefront of government thinking when it comes to where economic investment could do the most good. This was a central theme of the TAFE Works campaign.

The 50 per cent cut in TAFE fees for 34 high priority qualifications was announced in October last year, with early figures in February this year showing a 20 per cent increase in enrolments in these courses, which include certificates in trade fabrication, cyber security and early childhood education and care.

The Rebuilding our TAFEs program will see $167.4 million invested in capital works to upgrade TAFE colleges across the state, which will also create 1,000 jobs to boost the pandemic-stricken economy.

Regional TAFE colleges will share this windfall, with $79.1 million earmarked for upgrades to TAFE institutes in Albany, South Hedland, Northam and Roebourne.

Funding has also been set aside in the program to continue TAFE fee cuts and deliver more free short courses. Concurrently with the recent TAFE announcement, the government has released its report on the Review of Skills, Training and Workforce Development which was conducted in May and June as part of the state government’s response to the impact of COVID-19 on the workforce in WA.

The SSTUWA is currently examining the report, its findings and recommendations to assess its impact on TAFE members.

TAFE Works has been running since 2015 and has been calling for a number of steps to ensure the viability of the sector including:

A significant and ongoing investment in the public training sector and TAFE institutes, which addresses funding cuts under the previous state government.

TAFE course fee caps and/or reduction in fees where they have been increased to ensure affordability for all prospective students.

Good working conditions for TAFE lecturers, including security in employment.

The SSTUWA is proud to note that in these areas that its efforts through TAFE Works has seen real and sizable victories.

TAFE lecturers now have greater job security, with them being able to be made permanent at any stage after their initial contract and without the need to reapply for the same position.

This win was one of many negotiated by the SSTUWA for the 2019 TAFE General Agreement, which has now been registered in the WA Industrial Relations Commission.

Other wins include commitments to examine class sizes and student curriculum hours, as well as removal of any bars to grade progression after completion of Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.

There is movement when it comes to better conditions for members, and those in the TAFE sector should be proud of the hard work they have done to effect change.

We need to continue the fight for similar gains on the national level.

National TAFE Day fell on 13 August and the day was marked by branch and member action to highlight the importance of resourcing the public training sector.

You can continue to provide ongoing support by lobbying federal MPs and being active in your support for TAFEs on social media. For more information on how to be involved visit stoptafecuts.com.au

You can also find TAFE Works on Facebook by visiting: facebook.com/TAFEWorksWA