News

Wednesday, 12 December 2018

URGENT – LUNCH MEETING Re CLOSURE OF BEGA TAFE


URGENT – LUNCH MEETING Re CLOSURE OF BEGA TAFE – December 2018 (PDF version)

In response to recent reports confirming that Andrew Constance MP has decided to close the Barrack St TAFE College in BEGA, there is a SNAP COMMUNITY MEETING – Outside the Ministers Office

  • SNAP COMMUNITY MEETING – CLOSURE OF TAFE Barrack St College
  • Wednesday 12 December 2018
    12.00pm – 12.30pm
  • Outside the Office of the Member for Bega
  • Andrew Constance MP
    122 Carl St
    BEGA NSW

Also, the following Media Release was sent out yesterday afternoon in response to Andrew Constance

CPSU-NSW MEDIA RELEASE

Tuesday 11 December 2018

SERIOUS QUESTIONS REMAIN FOR THE FUTURE OF BEGA’S TAFE

The CPSU NSW is seeking a commitment from the Berejiklian government that it will not privatise the new Bega Connected Learning Centre and that practical vocational training will remain on offer.

“CPSU NSW welcomes any investment in Bega’s TAFE but we demand a full public declaration that any new campus or Connected Learning Centre will remain completely in public hands,” said Stewart Little, CPSU State Branch Secretary.

“A Connected Learning Centre cannot offer the same quality of hands-on training and services as a TAFE campus. We want a commitment from the government that a new Bega TAFE campus will offer onsite, services such as libraries and class support. practical training.

“The minister to date has been evasive about supporting TAFE and keeping it in public hands. We are yet to see a commitment that they will not sell off the current Barrack Street campus once the new Connected Learning Centre opens, or the plans they have for the CLCs. More than 20 education support staff are yet to know their future and whether they have a job over the coming months.

“Since being elected, this Liberal-National government has cut more than 5,700 (31%) TAFE jobs, slashed $1.7 billion from education and training, and right now there are 63,000 (11%) less students in the TAFE system than in 2012.

“The Berejiklian government uses drops in TAFE enrolments to justify selling campuses, but how are students supposed to enrol in vocational training when all that’s on offer is a computer in a room? How is a plumber or a bricklayer supposed to learn without a teacher in the room or the support of administrative, library and class support staff?”

The CPSUNSW represents the support staff at TAFE campuses including librarians, administration staff and toolstore.