Despite a raft of spending promises from both the Coalition and Labor across TAFE and education, neither have committed new money to print education for the upcoming NSW election tomorrow.
The Coalition has committed to continuing fee-free apprenticeships for print students, which it introduced in the 2018 State budget, funding TAFE students and those studying through private providers, with Spectra also offering print training in NSW.
All new students undertaking Printing, Print Communications, and Print Machinist apprenticeships since July 2018 have been funded under the NSW Smart and Skilled program.
Under the program, the student fees of $2,000 are waived, meaning students study for free, as the NSW Government funds the entirety of the course.
However, with a potential Labor win at the polls, the fee-free apprenticeships may not continue.
Australian Printer contacted Labor for a commitment from the party, with a spokesperson for Shadow Skills Minister Prue Car noting, “Labor will provide free TAFE courses in skills shortage areas.
“To begin with, this will be started with courses in construction, plumbing, electrical, disability, childcare and aged care.
“Courses will be rolled out based on consultation with industry.”
Printing is not currently on the skills-shortage list, and when asked for specific clarification on whether or not print courses would continue to be funded, the spokesperson said that the above comment is all Labor was prepared to say.
The Greens have campaigned on making TAFE free for all students doing courses up to Certificate IV, while increasing funding by $200 million over four years, matching the Coalition commitment to provide fee-free courses for print students.
John Barilaro MP, deputy Premier, and the Minister for Skills and Small Business, in correspondence with the PIAA, wrote, “Continued advocacy and promotion of Vocational Education will be at the forefront of a re-elected NSW Liberals and Nationals Government. Promoting, modernising and increasing the take-up of apprenticeships and providing 70,000 free traineeships, including in Printing and Graphic Arts.
“The 2019 NSW State election provides a clear choice for skills training. A choice between a NSW Liberals & Nationals Government that is providing 80 per cent of the skills budget to TAFE NSW, providing 700,000 free courses over the next four years, providing fee-free apprenticeships and traineeships, and constructing nine new TAFE campuses. Alternatively, a Labor Opposition offering fewer free courses over a longer time, no new campuses, and an axing of the fee-free apprenticeship program.”
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