MASSIVE cuts to TAFE funding in the western suburbs will cause considerable harm to the area’s prospects, according to a new study.
The Social Impacts on Melbourne’s West of TAFE Funding Cuts report by regional lobby group LeadWest finds the cuts are “of considerable significance”.
Victoria University stands to lose $40 million in TAFE funding, one of the biggest cuts statewide.
As reported by the Weekly, VU is slashing almost 80 courses and more than 100 teaching jobs and cutting a swathe through support programs.
The report questioned the cutting of training for low-skilled residents at a time of rising unemployment in Melbourne’s west.
The area has above-average unemployment and lower levels of students completing year 12, particularly in Wyndham, Brimbank and Melton.
The report found unemployment was especially high among people born in non-English-speaking countries (10.6 per cent).
“Foundation training offered through VET [Vocational Education and Training] is a key enabler for this group to gain employment,” the report stated.
Higher Education and Skills Minister Peter Hall disputed the report, saying the government was making record investment in vocational education and training, including an extra $1 billion over the next four years.
The report rejected the government’s claims that it was increasing vocational education, stating the increase was for private colleges, not public TAFE.
