TAFE SA

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (14:34): My question is to the Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills. Given members opposite show very sudden interest in the TAFE sector, will the minister inform the chamber about the important role TAFE SA plays in training South Australians?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (14:34): Good; at last, a good question. I am eternally grateful to the honourable member for his most important question. Today the Australian Education Union (AEU), along with staff and students from TAFE, is celebrating all that is great about TAFE in South Australia, and is campaigning to ensure that this continues. As Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, I want to take this opportunity to speak about the fantastic role that TAFE SA plays in training South Australians.

TAFE SA prides itself on being the largest provider of vocational training programs in the state and continues to work directly with industry, both locally and regionally, to ensure that graduates are ready for work. In 2013 alone, TAFE SA had almost 90,000 students, studying more than 802 different qualifications. I recognise the important role that TAFE SA plays in providing critical entry points to people who face disadvantage in training and the labour market, particularly learners facing language, literacy and numeracy barriers and those without an initial post-school qualification.

It is worth noting that in 2013, Skills for All course enrolments at TAFE SA increased by 22 per cent for young people, 40 per cent for females, 39 per cent for mature aged people, 65 per cent for unemployed people and 17 per cent for those from low socioeconomic backgrounds. There was also a 31 per cent increase for people with a disability. This is significant, because this Labor government recognises that people with skills and qualifications have much higher rates of employment than those without.

It is a great credit to TAFE SA and NCVA. The student outcomes 2013 TAFE report for South Australia indicates that 79 per cent of TAFE SA graduates were employed after training, and of those employed after training, 72.2 per cent found the training relevant to their career. It is even more impressive that 90 per cent of graduates were either employed or went into further study after training. These results do not happen by accident. TAFE SA staff continue to be recognised as leaders in their field and it is the dedication and commitment of TAFE staff that underpin the quality of the organisation.

For example, we have seen a principal lecturer in mechanical engineering win an award for TAFE SA industry collaboration and be nominated for this category at the state training awards. A lecturer in enrolled nursing received a Premier's award for service for volunteering in the ambulance service in her local community. I would like to particularly congratulate those two people.

Nearly 12 months after it became one organisation, it would be remiss of me not to mention the work of the TAFE SA board. The board has implemented some important reforms that have modernised governance arrangements to ensure TAFE SA remains the key public provider in a competitive system. The state government continues to invest significant public funds for the delivery of high quality training and services to South Australians. Since 2007-08, the state government has made the single biggest investment ever in infrastructure used for vocational education and training.

To date, almost $230 million of capital projects have been undertaken, including a $38.3 million mining engineering transport centre at Regency Park scheduled for completion in July this year, and the $119.6 million development of the sustainable industries education centre at Tonsley. A further $22.8 million has been invested across regional South Australia, upgrading infrastructure and developing campuses at Berri, Whyalla, Mount Gambier and Victor Harbor.

However, we know that this investment is at risk from the federal Liberal government's decision to rip around $360 million in funding for apprentices, vocational training and higher education in South Australia out of our VET system over the next three years. There is no doubt that these cuts will have a detrimental effect, and that is why this government, unlike those opposite, will continue to fight against these appalling cuts. As I have just outlined, TAFE SA does play a significant role in our communities and I would like to place on record my sincere appreciation to all TAFE SA staff for their continued work.