Survey reveals residents support for TAFE

By Brett Worthington
Updated November 7 2012 - 7:08am, first published February 19 2012 - 11:06am

DEBATE about TAFE funding has escalated with the release of a survey that found Loddon Mallee residents want more investment in the sector.An independent online survey of 1050 people from across the state found that respondents supported investment in TAFEs ahead of private training providers.The survey found regional residents held TAFE in higher regard than Melburnians. Loddon Mallee residents were above the state-wide average for opposition to funding cuts.Victorian TAFE Association executive director David Williams said: “The public [has] a very clear view on this matter. They trust TAFE and they want investment in TAFE as a priority. “The public actually care how TAFE is funded. The public have been investing in this system for 120 years and are concerned government got it wrong. “We believe this needs the urgent attention of the premier to reassure the public there will be no further cuts.”The survey was conducted from December 14 to 16 last year. The results found:• 84 per cent of respondents thought TAFEs were too important to lose funding;• More than 75 per cent supported the government investing in TAFEs as a priority;• One per cent supported cuts to TAFEs; and • 80 per cent supported TAFEs receiving more funding than private trainers. Nationals MP Damian Drum told the Bendigo Advertiser his government had to reform TAFEs to reinvigorate the sector.He said his government was injecting record levels of funding into TAFEs to turn the sector around.His comments came after Bendigo TAFE made seven staff redundant due to enrolments in a number of courses reaching all-time lows.But Mr Drum said it was crucial TAFEs offered the best value for the money they received.“They cannot have (teachers) who are good at IT (information technology) if they don’t have people who want to do IT,” he said.Bendigo West MP Maree Edwards has rejected Mr Drum’s comments about how Labor left TAFE, accusing the government of stripping $230 million from the education providers.

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