TAFE cuts come to QLD, as nation wide shake up continues
Queensland appears next in line to implement a wave of funding cuts to TAFE, following closely behind similar moves made in Victoria and NSW earlier this year. The state governments claim the changes are necessary to make TAFE more economically viable, but by cutting funding and expecting TAFE to compete with private education providers critics argue that the changes go too far.
Education and Adult Learning experts warn the changes are based on a narrow understanding of the value of education beyond it’s role as a pathway to employment. By limiting the ability of TAFE to provide a wide range of courses and skills including those that are not vocationally structured, Leesa Wheelahan from Melbourne University believes the changes will have dramatic consequences to Australian social cohesion and economic future.