The Wire

TAFE systems across the country are undergoing severe funding cuts, the latest expected to impact courses in New South Wales. A shake up of the TAFE funding system means that courses will only be subsidized if they are included on a skills list. The idea is to fill a skills shortage gap in areas like electrical, building or plumbing, by keeping government funding in these areas. In courses where there aren’t necessarily jobs at the end, like arts or languages, its unlikely subsidies will continue.

TAFE support groups say the Education Minister, Adrian Piccoli is leaving TAFE in a vulnerable position open to competition from private institutions.