TAFE CUTS HURTING STUDENTS IN NORTHERN ADELAIDE
Cuts to TAFE by the Marshall Liberal Government will force students from Gawler and the Northern Adelaide suburbs studying carpentry and joinery at the Elizabeth campus to travel a round trip of more than 100 km to Tonsley to complete their courses.
Local Member of Parliament Mr Tony Piccolo has raised in State Parliament his concerns about these cuts and the impact they will have on the training and career aspirations of young people in the local area.
Mr Piccolo says this Decision will place an unreasonable travel and cost burden on young people living in Gawler and the northern suburbs of Adelaide, adding considerable commuting time to their already busy days.
“COVID-19 has already created more youth unemployment and underemployment. Young people working hard to gain skills to start their careers are being punished,” said Mr Piccolo.
“They are casualties of the Marshall Liberal Government’s mission to cut and privatise TAFE,” said Mr Piccolo.
“It will also make it harder for young people with part-time jobs, who may lose shifts or lose their jobs altogether.”
“The delivery of Certificate III Carpentry and Carpentry Joinery Courses at the Elizabeth TAFE Campus has been raised with me by a number of local young people and their families who will be impacted by the Decision to shift part of the carpentry course components to the Tonsley campus.”
“I call on the Minister to reverse this Decision.”
“The majority of students who will have to travel to Tonsley will rely on Gawler rail services to connect with the Tonsley line to access their courses.”
“This problem is compounded by the current local public transport chaos, where trains are not running, and substitute buses are inadequate. Many people need public transport as they have no alternative.
”Mr Piccolo also wrote to TAFE CEO Mr David Coltman on 16 December last year after being contacted by local families concerned about the unreasonable expectation that young people living and studying in the northern suburbs will be able to travel all the way down to the southern suburbs.
Education Minister John Gardner wrote back to Mr Piccolo on behalf of the TAFE CEO in late January to advise that,
“Due to changes to the Construction, Plumbing and Services training package nationally, Certificate III Joinery is now a stand-alone qualification. TAFE SA continues to deliver Certificate III Carpentry.
”The Minister also said that students will be able to attend the TAFE SA Tonsley campus for the machinery and joinery components of these qualifications, which will provide access to specific plant and equipment required to deliver particular units of competency in carpentry and joinery.
If you or anyone you know is impacted by this Decision please contact the Light Electorate Office on 8522 2878 or light@parliament.sa.gov.au.