TAFE ADELAIDE SOUTH

In reply to the Hon. SANDRA KANCK (5 March 2008).

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Road Safety, Minister for Gambling, Minister Assisting the Minister for Multicultural Affairs): The Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education has advised:

1. TAFE SA is in regular contact with its industry counterparts and there is currently a high level program review being undertaken to ensure the provision of training meets current industry requirements. Industry representatives are actively participating in this review.

C-programming is no longer taught as a language in TAFE SA and has been replaced with modern scripting languages that have a much higher demand rate among graduates and industry.

2. TAFE SA Adelaide South has seven campuses across the southern suburbs. During 2007-08, $6,425,056 was budgeted for site and building services and $4,833,426 for capital equipment and plant services.

This funding is used to undertake building works as well as to undertake maintenance and facilities upgrades. The major items during 2007-08 include the replacement of the atrium roof at TAFE SA Adelaide campus ($1.2 million), upgrading and replacement of an air conditioning plant at TAFE SA Noarlunga campus ($480,000) and the upgrading of the Noarlunga Theatre ($500,000).

Funding of capital equipment and plant services is also being expended on the upgrade of computer equipment for students, geo-science equipment to support mining industry training, mechanical ventilation and for the replacement of equipment which is no longer serviceable.

3. The O’Halloran Hill campus is located adjacent to the fields of the O’Halloran Hill Conservation Park. Security officers undertake additional onsite inspections for evidence of vermin as part of their daily duties.

If a problem is identified, security staff place baited traps in all areas of the building in the evening, which are then removed prior to staff and student attendance the following morning.

4. TAFE SA operates in complex, competitive and contestable markets and, like any successful large business, is constantly refining and improving services to its customers.

To ensure the classes are efficient and viable, subjects are combined where student numbers are low to ensure maximum interaction and hands on involvement by students.

Currently, the TAFE system is engaged in a comprehensive strategy to position itself as a leader in an increasingly dynamic environment to ensure support for the demand for training from South Australian industry and business. This strategy has been announced and received considerable media coverage. As part of this strategy, a comprehensive infrastructure master plan is being undertaken to ensure that TAFE SA facilities are configured best to deliver a flexible and responsive service to its customers.

5. Yes, this been provided as a combination of fees capping, which limits the total amount of fees a student undertaking government subsidised work-related study pays in two consecutive semesters of such study, and an increase in the level of concessions available to eligible students. Both of these arrangements were introduced from 1 January 2003.