Question – TasTAFE Reform
Questions asked by the Hon Meg Webb MLC on 17 June 2021. Answered by the Hon Sarah Courtney Minister for Education on 24 June 2021.
With regard to the proposed TasTAFE reforms, can the Government:
Question 1. Detail whether any consultation occurred before the Premier’s Address 2021 regarding the proposed TasTafe reform and if so with whom and when that consultation occurred.
ANSWER 1:
The Premier’s Economic and Social Advisory Council (PESRAC) recommended that the Government re-establish TasTAFE as a government business. TasTAFE, and its ability to be flexible, emerged as a key theme in the PESRAC workshops, which formed a part of the consultation for the development of the Final Report. PESRAC flagged in its Interim Report that Phase 2 of their work would focus on longer-term recovery measures including skills reform.
As these recommendations are implemented there will be engagement with staff, students, unions and industry and the Tasmanian community as we work toward a TasTAFE with more flexibility and choice for learners, and training delivered in ways that meets their needs
Question 2. Detail any formal stakeholder representation received outside the Premier’s Economic and Social Advisory Council (PESRAC) process, whether via correspondence or in person, raising issues with or concerns over TasTAFE operations as a public education provider delivering vocational education and training services, and if so when those representations were received.
ANSWER 2: The need for TAFE reform is well understood, locally and nationally, and has been the focus of considerable attention over a long period of time by the business community, the Australian Government and the Productivity Commission, amongst
Ministerial forums held with Tasmanian industry stakeholders in 2018, 2019 and 2020 reflected a common theme that greater flexibility in the delivery of training is needed as well as the ability for training providers to adapt quickly to changing industry needs.
As noted above, TasTAFE, and its ability to be flexible, emerged as a key theme in the PESRAC workshops. PESRAC flagged in its Interim Report that Phase 2 of their work would focus on longer-term recovery measures including skills reform.
As the State’s only public training provider, TasTAFE needs to have greater flexibility to allow it to be more adaptable to learner needs and flexible to changing industry priorities and work opportunities.
Question 3. Inform the House whether the government was aware that the Chair of PESRAC was a member of the NCK Evers Network, which made the one submission to PESRAC that suggested the specific reforms to TasTAFE that were subsequently adopted as a recommendation in the PESRAC final report, and if so when and how the government was made aware?
ANSWER 3: The NCK Evers Network made a submission to PESRAC, which amongst other matters, had recommendations in relation to It is a matter of public record that the PESRAC Chair is one of many members of the Network.
