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TAFE enrolments tumble as board members remain anonymous

TAFEs need strong leadership but the names of new board members still remain anonymous whilst enrolment continue to tumble.

By news@gippsland - 3rd August 2016 - Back to News

Daniel Andrews must release the names of new board members to Victoria’s TAFEs, including Federation Training.

Labor’s own legislation, implemented on January 1, forced all TAFE boards to spill on June 30. But four weeks on, the Minister’s office refuses to reveal Federation Training's new directors.

It comes as Victoria’s training sector reported on Monday a 13.2 per cent drop in VET enrolments in the March quarter – the biggest decline of any state or territory.

Quotes attributable to Shadow Minister for Training, Skills and Apprenticeships Steph Ryan

"The Government had several months to meet its own deadline and ensure TAFEs had a smooth transition to their new boards.

"We are now at the end of July, with a Minister on leave and communities have no idea who the new board members are.

"Daniel Andrews’ promise to ‘rescue’ TAFE was a lie. Instead, under Labor, we have seen plummeting student numbers, plunging completion rates and a lack of transparency in the appointment of new TAFE board members."

Quotes attributable to Member for Morwell Russell Northe

"Federation Training’s Morwell campus is vital in growing the skills and employment prospects for young people in the Latrobe Valley and job seekers looking to upskill or change careers.

"But under Daniel Andrews, the training system is enduring the biggest decline in enrolments of any state or territory. There was a dramatic 13.2 per cent decline in enrolments in the March 2016 quarter, compared to the same time last year.

"Our TAFEs need strong leadership to bring them through this period, but instead we have seen their boards dissolved and no transparency on when they can expect to be on-track for the future."

Media contact: 5133 9088

Office of Russell Northe MLA

Member for Morwell

Shadow Minister for Consumer Affairs

Shadow Minister for Liquor and Gaming Regulation

Russell Northe MLA