Green jobs training through TAFE

AUSTRALIA – The Australian Education Union (AEU) has welcomed the Federal Government’s commitment to create 50,000 new green job and training places.

AEU federal president Angelo Gavrielatos said the commitment needed to be matched by guaranteed funding to deliver the training through TAFE.

“Australia’s world-class TAFE system can give Australians the skills they need to fill green jobs and take advantage of the new industries that will develop in this area,” he said.

“Experiences in recent weeks have highlighted the dangers of the private provision of vocational education with private colleges for international students failing and evidence emerging of the exploitation of students and a lack of educational quality.

“The AEU calls on the government to reign in its determination to increase the competitive training market, and instead to provide guaranteed funding for TAFE colleges, which have both high standards of regulation and provide quality education.

“Privatising vocational training is not the way to ensure that Australians get the skills and training that they need, especially in a vital new area like green jobs training.”