A Shorten Labor Government will scrap upfront fees for 100,000 TAFE students.
The Hon Mark Dreyfus QC MP
Shadow Attorney General
Shadow Minister for National Security
Federal Member for Isaacs
LABOR TO SCRAP FEES FOR 100,000 TAFE STUDENTS WHILE TURNBULL OFFERS NOTHING BUT CUTS
A Shorten Labor Government will scrap upfront fees for 100,000 TAFE students.
This is wonderful news for the Isaacs electorate. It will open up access to TAFE and make it easier for Australians to gain valuable skills and education, Federal Member for Isaacs, Mark Dreyfus said.
By waiving upfront TAFE fees for 100,000 students, Labors plan will enable many students to attend TAFE without incurring any fees.
The policy is part of a comprehensive plan to support TAFEs, vocational education and apprenticeships across the country.
Labor will guarantee two-thirds of government vocational education and training funding goes to TAFE to ensure quality learning and improved job opportunities for Australians.
Labor will also invest $100 million in a Building TAFE for the Future Fund, to revitalise TAFE campuses and facilities in regional and outer metropolitan areas.
The Liberals have cut $3 billion from skills, TAFE and apprenticeships funding since they came to office, with a further $270 million cut in the last budget. There are 1,091 fewer apprentices in the Isaacs electorate than in September 2013 when the Liberals came to government[1], Mr Dreyfus said.
Apprentice numbers have declined in Isaacs by 41 per cent since 2013. Across the country, there are 140,000 fewer apprentices and trainees, a decline of 35 per cent.
To support apprentices, Labor will ensure Commonwealth funded projects prioritise Australian jobs, with at least one in ten jobs on major projects to be filled by apprentices. Labor will also provide 20,000 adult apprentice program placements for older workers who need to retrain and 10,000 pre-apprentice programs for young people who want to learn a trade.
Trades matter and apprenticeships matter. Thats why Labor is committed to restoring TAFE. I call on the Turnbull government to share Labors commitment, reverse its cuts and give TAFE the respect that it deserves, Mr Dreyfus said.
[1] Source: NCVER National Apprentice and Trainee Collection, September quarter 2017
TUESDAY 29 MAY 2018
MEDIA CONTACT: PHILLIP CLARKE 0498 490 466
[1] Source: NCVER National Apprentice and Trainee Collection, September quarter 2017
