1. RMIT fees for Certificate IVs and Diplomas/Associate Diplomas range from $1388 to $58,864. Most Diplomas are in excess of $2500 up to $10,000.

2. Many fully qualified TAFE teachers are resigning or retiring early because the Skills Victoria reporting requirements are now a massive workload distracting them from teaching work. TAFE colleges are under bureaucratic duress from the Government.

3. Many students have been ripped off in the private vocational education sector, the recent overseas student scandal is a good example.

4. Fees have been reduced by as little as $2 in many TAFE courses; however, for those who hold a qualification and require to broadened their skills, retrain or find a new direction because of workplace injuries, they will pay massive fees.

For example, as a sessional TAFE teacher who is qualified to teach Occupational Health and Safety at Certificate IV level, because I have a Diploma in Business I need to pay many thousands of dollars to obtain a Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety if I want to teacher OHS Diploma level.

That is ridiculous. I will not pay this, because my sessional teaching will not pay enough to cover the costs, and now society will lose out on my skills as a teacher with practical experience in this field.

Unfortunately, the minister and her Government do not listen to those in the TAFE sector who have the knowledge.

The result is that TAFE will end up a private provider and competition will drive down the educational outcomes.

Victorians will lose a great system already under great stress because it is the lowest-funded system in Australia.

The Government needs to revisit to prevent a disaster.

Young people need the opportunity to obtain skills that are of the highest standard.

And by the way, I am not a member of the AEU!

GEORGES BERNARD,

Former director, Electrotechnology, Printing, Information Technology and Communications Training Board,

Smiths Gully