❓ The Minister addresses concerns raised in a newspaper article regarding TAFE lecturers and students, outlining measures to improve the training system, including financial management, quality of training, and job security for lecturers, while also highlighting past achievements and ongoing reviews.
AnsweredQoN 368Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
TAFE LECTURERS
Will the minister tell the House what measures the State Government is taking in the light of reports in The West Australian on Monday about problems facing technical and further education lecturers and students? Mr KOBELKE
Will the minister tell the House what measures the State Government is taking in the light of reports in The West Australian on Monday about problems facing technical and further education lecturers and students? Mr KOBELKE
AnswerView source ↗
I will put the situation in context. The newspaper articles highlighted a number of issues concerning TAFE students and lecturers. Some of those are real concerns and problems, but they must be put into context, which is that the training system in Western Australia is of the highest standard. That reflects well on the last federal Labor Government, in which Kim Beazley was the responsible minister. It put extra funds into the Australian National Training Authority program, which has delivered a much higher level of training in this State and across Australia. It also reflects well on the State Government, which set up the independent colleges. Those changes have resulted in huge growth in the training sector in this State. That effort has had to be refocused to ensure it meets industry’s needs. The training sector must now work more closely with industry. Those achievements in a time of rapid change have resulted in a range of problems which we need to address. One issue relates to financial management. Some of the colleges ran into difficulties under the last Government. That is not a direct reflection on the last Government; however, things did not work as well under the new system as one would hope. That must be looked at. Areas of competition exist that are clearly unproductive. The emphasis on competition needs to be minimised. Although it is an important factor, it is not a goal in itself. Quality of outcome is also an area of concern; that is, the delivery of high-quality training across the State. Another issue is providing technical and further education lecturers and other TAFE employees with permanency or secure employment. We need to address a range of issues. The member for Riverton is heading a review that will target those matters and enable us to take them forward, so that we can build on a good training system and address the issues in which real problems exist. The Government has indicated that it is keen for more people in the government sector to have permanent employment. Many TAFE lecturers have been employed on temporary contracts for years. Therefore, in keeping with what the Minister for Public Sector Management has done across the public sector generally, we have moved to open up more permanent positions for TAFE lecturers. Some 260 lecturers have already been offered positions. That process needs to be carefully managed, because colleges must be flexible and able to meet changing industry demands. However, if we are to have high-quality training, we must have high-quality trainers and lecturers, and to retain those people, we must offer them secure employment. That balance needs to be developed. It will be an ongoing process of ensuring we have more TAFE lecturers in permanent positions in a way that allows maximum flexibility of the system.
Mr KOBELKE replied: I will put the situation in context. The newspaper articles highlighted a number of issues concerning TAFE students and lecturers. Some of those are real concerns and problems, but they must be put into context, which is that the training system in Western Australia is of the highest standard. That reflects well on the last federal Labor Government, in which Kim Beazley was the responsible minister. It put extra funds into the Australian National Training Authority program, which has delivered a much higher level of training in this State and across Australia. It also reflects well on the State Government, which set up the independent colleges. Those changes have resulted in huge growth in the training sector in this State. That effort has had to be refocused to ensure it meets industry’s needs. The training sector must now work more closely with industry. Those achievements in a time of rapid change have resulted in a range of problems which we need to address. One issue relates to financial management. Some of the colleges ran into difficulties under the last Government. That is not a direct reflection on the last Government; however, things did not work as well under the new system as one would hope. That must be looked at. Areas of competition exist that are clearly unproductive. The emphasis on competition needs to be minimised. Although it is an important factor, it is not a goal in itself. Quality of outcome is also an area of concern; that is, the delivery of high-quality training across the State. Another issue is providing technical and further education lecturers and other TAFE employees with permanency or secure employment. We need to address a range of issues. The member for Riverton is heading a review that will target those matters and enable us to take them forward, so that we can build on a good training system and address the issues in which real problems exist. The Government has indicated that it is keen for more people in the government sector to have permanent employment. Many TAFE lecturers have been employed on temporary contracts for years. Therefore, in keeping with what the Minister for Public Sector Management has done across the public sector generally, we have moved to open up more permanent positions for TAFE lecturers. Some 260 lecturers have already been offered positions. That process needs to be carefully managed, because colleges must be flexible and able to meet changing industry demands. However, if we are to have high-quality training, we must have high-quality trainers and lecturers, and to retain those people, we must offer them secure employment. That balance needs to be developed. It will be an ongoing process of ensuring we have more TAFE lecturers in permanent positions in a way that allows maximum flexibility of the system.
I will put the situation in context. The newspaper articles highlighted a number of issues concerning TAFE students and lecturers. Some of those are real concerns and problems, but they must be put into context, which is that the training system in Western Australia is of the highest standard. That reflects well on the last federal Labor Government, in which Kim Beazley was the responsible minister. It put extra funds into the Australian National Training Authority program, which has delivered a much higher level of training in this State and across Australia. It also reflects well on the State Government, which set up the independent colleges. Those changes have resulted in huge growth in the training sector in this State. That effort has had to be refocused to ensure it meets industry’s needs. The training sector must now work more closely with industry. Those achievements in a time of rapid change have resulted in a range of problems which we need to address. One issue relates to financial management. Some of the colleges ran into difficulties under the last Government. That is not a direct reflection on the last Government; however, things did not work as well under the new system as one would hope. That must be looked at. Areas of competition exist that are clearly unproductive. The emphasis on competition needs to be minimised. Although it is an important factor, it is not a goal in itself. Quality of outcome is also an area of concern; that is, the delivery of high-quality training across the State. Another issue is providing technical and further education lecturers and other TAFE employees with permanency or secure employment. We need to address a range of issues. The member for Riverton is heading a review that will target those matters and enable us to take them forward, so that we can build on a good training system and address the issues in which real problems exist. The Government has indicated that it is keen for more people in the government sector to have permanent employment. Many TAFE lecturers have been employed on temporary contracts for years. Therefore, in keeping with what the Minister for Public Sector Management has done across the public sector generally, we have moved to open up more permanent positions for TAFE lecturers. Some 260 lecturers have already been offered positions. That process needs to be carefully managed, because colleges must be flexible and able to meet changing industry demands. However, if we are to have high-quality training, we must have high-quality trainers and lecturers, and to retain those people, we must offer them secure employment. That balance needs to be developed. It will be an ongoing process of ensuring we have more TAFE lecturers in permanent positions in a way that allows maximum flexibility of the system.
That reflects well on the last federal Labor Government, in which Kim Beazley was the responsible minister. It put extra funds into the Australian National Training Authority program, which has delivered a much higher level of training in this State and across Australia. It also reflects well on the State Government, which set up the independent colleges. Those changes have resulted in huge growth in the training sector in this State. That effort has had to be refocused to ensure it meets industry’s needs. The training sector must now work more closely with industry. Those achievements in a time of rapid change have resulted in a range of problems which we need to address. One issue relates to financial management. Some of the colleges ran into difficulties under the last Government. That is not a direct reflection on the last Government; however, things did not work as well under the new system as one would hope. That must be looked at. Areas of competition exist that are clearly unproductive. The emphasis on competition needs to be minimised. Although it is an important factor, it is not a goal in itself. Quality of outcome is also an area of concern; that is, the delivery of high-quality training across the State. Another issue is providing technical and further education lecturers and other TAFE employees with permanency or secure employment. We need to address a range of issues. The member for Riverton is heading a review that will target those matters and enable us to take them forward, so that we can build on a good training system and address the issues in which real problems exist. The Government has indicated that it is keen for more people in the government sector to have permanent employment. Many TAFE lecturers have been employed on temporary contracts for years. Therefore, in keeping with what the Minister for Public Sector Management has done across the public sector generally, we have moved to open up more permanent positions for TAFE lecturers. Some 260 lecturers have already been offered positions. That process needs to be carefully managed, because colleges must be flexible and able to meet changing industry demands. However, if we are to have high-quality training, we must have high-quality trainers and lecturers, and to retain those people, we must offer them secure employment. That balance needs to be developed. It will be an ongoing process of ensuring we have more TAFE lecturers in permanent positions in a way that allows maximum flexibility of the system.
One issue relates to financial management. Some of the colleges ran into difficulties under the last Government. That is not a direct reflection on the last Government; however, things did not work as well under the new system as one would hope. That must be looked at. Areas of competition exist that are clearly unproductive. The emphasis on competition needs to be minimised. Although it is an important factor, it is not a goal in itself. Quality of outcome is also an area of concern; that is, the delivery of high-quality training across the State. Another issue is providing technical and further education lecturers and other TAFE employees with permanency or secure employment. We need to address a range of issues. The member for Riverton is heading a review that will target those matters and enable us to take them forward, so that we can build on a good training system and address the issues in which real problems exist. The Government has indicated that it is keen for more people in the government sector to have permanent employment. Many TAFE lecturers have been employed on temporary contracts for years. Therefore, in keeping with what the Minister for Public Sector Management has done across the public sector generally, we have moved to open up more permanent positions for TAFE lecturers. Some 260 lecturers have already been offered positions. That process needs to be carefully managed, because colleges must be flexible and able to meet changing industry demands. However, if we are to have high-quality training, we must have high-quality trainers and lecturers, and to retain those people, we must offer them secure employment. That balance needs to be developed. It will be an ongoing process of ensuring we have more TAFE lecturers in permanent positions in a way that allows maximum flexibility of the system.
The Government has indicated that it is keen for more people in the government sector to have permanent employment. Many TAFE lecturers have been employed on temporary contracts for years. Therefore, in keeping with what the Minister for Public Sector Management has done across the public sector generally, we have moved to open up more permanent positions for TAFE lecturers. Some 260 lecturers have already been offered positions. That process needs to be carefully managed, because colleges must be flexible and able to meet changing industry demands. However, if we are to have high-quality training, we must have high-quality trainers and lecturers, and to retain those people, we must offer them secure employment. That balance needs to be developed. It will be an ongoing process of ensuring we have more TAFE lecturers in permanent positions in a way that allows maximum flexibility of the system.
Mr KOBELKE replied: I will put the situation in context. The newspaper articles highlighted a number of issues concerning TAFE students and lecturers. Some of those are real concerns and problems, but they must be put into context, which is that the training system in Western Australia is of the highest standard. That reflects well on the last federal Labor Government, in which Kim Beazley was the responsible minister. It put extra funds into the Australian National Training Authority program, which has delivered a much higher level of training in this State and across Australia. It also reflects well on the State Government, which set up the independent colleges. Those changes have resulted in huge growth in the training sector in this State. That effort has had to be refocused to ensure it meets industry’s needs. The training sector must now work more closely with industry. Those achievements in a time of rapid change have resulted in a range of problems which we need to address. One issue relates to financial management. Some of the colleges ran into difficulties under the last Government. That is not a direct reflection on the last Government; however, things did not work as well under the new system as one would hope. That must be looked at. Areas of competition exist that are clearly unproductive. The emphasis on competition needs to be minimised. Although it is an important factor, it is not a goal in itself. Quality of outcome is also an area of concern; that is, the delivery of high-quality training across the State. Another issue is providing technical and further education lecturers and other TAFE employees with permanency or secure employment. We need to address a range of issues. The member for Riverton is heading a review that will target those matters and enable us to take them forward, so that we can build on a good training system and address the issues in which real problems exist. The Government has indicated that it is keen for more people in the government sector to have permanent employment. Many TAFE lecturers have been employed on temporary contracts for years. Therefore, in keeping with what the Minister for Public Sector Management has done across the public sector generally, we have moved to open up more permanent positions for TAFE lecturers. Some 260 lecturers have already been offered positions. That process needs to be carefully managed, because colleges must be flexible and able to meet changing industry demands. However, if we are to have high-quality training, we must have high-quality trainers and lecturers, and to retain those people, we must offer them secure employment. That balance needs to be developed. It will be an ongoing process of ensuring we have more TAFE lecturers in permanent positions in a way that allows maximum flexibility of the system.
I will put the situation in context. The newspaper articles highlighted a number of issues concerning TAFE students and lecturers. Some of those are real concerns and problems, but they must be put into context, which is that the training system in Western Australia is of the highest standard. That reflects well on the last federal Labor Government, in which Kim Beazley was the responsible minister. It put extra funds into the Australian National Training Authority program, which has delivered a much higher level of training in this State and across Australia. It also reflects well on the State Government, which set up the independent colleges. Those changes have resulted in huge growth in the training sector in this State. That effort has had to be refocused to ensure it meets industry’s needs. The training sector must now work more closely with industry. Those achievements in a time of rapid change have resulted in a range of problems which we need to address. One issue relates to financial management. Some of the colleges ran into difficulties under the last Government. That is not a direct reflection on the last Government; however, things did not work as well under the new system as one would hope. That must be looked at. Areas of competition exist that are clearly unproductive. The emphasis on competition needs to be minimised. Although it is an important factor, it is not a goal in itself. Quality of outcome is also an area of concern; that is, the delivery of high-quality training across the State. Another issue is providing technical and further education lecturers and other TAFE employees with permanency or secure employment. We need to address a range of issues. The member for Riverton is heading a review that will target those matters and enable us to take them forward, so that we can build on a good training system and address the issues in which real problems exist. The Government has indicated that it is keen for more people in the government sector to have permanent employment. Many TAFE lecturers have been employed on temporary contracts for years. Therefore, in keeping with what the Minister for Public Sector Management has done across the public sector generally, we have moved to open up more permanent positions for TAFE lecturers. Some 260 lecturers have already been offered positions. That process needs to be carefully managed, because colleges must be flexible and able to meet changing industry demands. However, if we are to have high-quality training, we must have high-quality trainers and lecturers, and to retain those people, we must offer them secure employment. That balance needs to be developed. It will be an ongoing process of ensuring we have more TAFE lecturers in permanent positions in a way that allows maximum flexibility of the system.
That reflects well on the last federal Labor Government, in which Kim Beazley was the responsible minister. It put extra funds into the Australian National Training Authority program, which has delivered a much higher level of training in this State and across Australia. It also reflects well on the State Government, which set up the independent colleges. Those changes have resulted in huge growth in the training sector in this State. That effort has had to be refocused to ensure it meets industry’s needs. The training sector must now work more closely with industry. Those achievements in a time of rapid change have resulted in a range of problems which we need to address. One issue relates to financial management. Some of the colleges ran into difficulties under the last Government. That is not a direct reflection on the last Government; however, things did not work as well under the new system as one would hope. That must be looked at. Areas of competition exist that are clearly unproductive. The emphasis on competition needs to be minimised. Although it is an important factor, it is not a goal in itself. Quality of outcome is also an area of concern; that is, the delivery of high-quality training across the State. Another issue is providing technical and further education lecturers and other TAFE employees with permanency or secure employment. We need to address a range of issues. The member for Riverton is heading a review that will target those matters and enable us to take them forward, so that we can build on a good training system and address the issues in which real problems exist. The Government has indicated that it is keen for more people in the government sector to have permanent employment. Many TAFE lecturers have been employed on temporary contracts for years. Therefore, in keeping with what the Minister for Public Sector Management has done across the public sector generally, we have moved to open up more permanent positions for TAFE lecturers. Some 260 lecturers have already been offered positions. That process needs to be carefully managed, because colleges must be flexible and able to meet changing industry demands. However, if we are to have high-quality training, we must have high-quality trainers and lecturers, and to retain those people, we must offer them secure employment. That balance needs to be developed. It will be an ongoing process of ensuring we have more TAFE lecturers in permanent positions in a way that allows maximum flexibility of the system.
One issue relates to financial management. Some of the colleges ran into difficulties under the last Government. That is not a direct reflection on the last Government; however, things did not work as well under the new system as one would hope. That must be looked at. Areas of competition exist that are clearly unproductive. The emphasis on competition needs to be minimised. Although it is an important factor, it is not a goal in itself. Quality of outcome is also an area of concern; that is, the delivery of high-quality training across the State. Another issue is providing technical and further education lecturers and other TAFE employees with permanency or secure employment. We need to address a range of issues. The member for Riverton is heading a review that will target those matters and enable us to take them forward, so that we can build on a good training system and address the issues in which real problems exist. The Government has indicated that it is keen for more people in the government sector to have permanent employment. Many TAFE lecturers have been employed on temporary contracts for years. Therefore, in keeping with what the Minister for Public Sector Management has done across the public sector generally, we have moved to open up more permanent positions for TAFE lecturers. Some 260 lecturers have already been offered positions. That process needs to be carefully managed, because colleges must be flexible and able to meet changing industry demands. However, if we are to have high-quality training, we must have high-quality trainers and lecturers, and to retain those people, we must offer them secure employment. That balance needs to be developed. It will be an ongoing process of ensuring we have more TAFE lecturers in permanent positions in a way that allows maximum flexibility of the system.
The Government has indicated that it is keen for more people in the government sector to have permanent employment. Many TAFE lecturers have been employed on temporary contracts for years. Therefore, in keeping with what the Minister for Public Sector Management has done across the public sector generally, we have moved to open up more permanent positions for TAFE lecturers. Some 260 lecturers have already been offered positions. That process needs to be carefully managed, because colleges must be flexible and able to meet changing industry demands. However, if we are to have high-quality training, we must have high-quality trainers and lecturers, and to retain those people, we must offer them secure employment. That balance needs to be developed. It will be an ongoing process of ensuring we have more TAFE lecturers in permanent positions in a way that allows maximum flexibility of the system.
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